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The incumbent will function in accordance with Federal law, Practice Act(s) associated with state licensure, the Standards of Competency for Acupuncture and the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) Code of Ethics. He/She will complete functions as outlined below:

• Develops plans, coordinates, evaluates and integrates all program elements into a comprehensive acupuncture program for the Healthcare System.
• Provides Acupuncture Program oversight, coordination, and performance improvement activities and outcome measures including workload reports and service level scorecards.
• Serves as primary advisor concerning Acupuncture and assists with developing both short and long-range objectives for continuous improvements with provision of these services.
• Develops and/or updates and implements appropriate policies, procedures, plans, and service agreements that guide and support the Acupuncture Program in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service.
• Participates in multidisciplinary facility programs and committees as assigned.
• Reviews Community Care (CC) consults for appropriateness. Coordinates with the CC section and makes recommendations for the approval, denial, or continuation of Acupuncture.
• Maintains state licensure.
• Coordinates scheduling of patients with appropriate personnel for follow-up treatment sessions. Coordinates schedules with other members of the treatment team as needed.
• Covers administrative positions/responsibilities within the service when assigned.

• Demonstrates knowledge of complementary and integrative health to patient care and the education of others. The acupuncturist will utilize standard medical evaluation procedures to formulate a differential diagnosis to develop an acupuncture treatment plan. The acupuncturist shall incorporate the various training techniques taught within East Asian Medicine and acupuncture.
• Ensures practice-based learning and improvement, Acupuncturists are expected to be able to use scientific evidence and methods to investigate, evaluate, and improve patient care. The Acupuncturist promptly communicates to a physician, dentist or podiatrist, as appropriate to the patient's condition, if the acupuncturist determines that further acupuncture is contraindicated for the patient or determines that the patient's symptoms have worsened.
• Demonstrates interpersonal and communication skills that enable them to establish and maintain professional relationships with patients, families, and other members of the health care team .The acupuncturist will review referrals, screen for appropriateness of care, and redirect Veterans to other services when necessary. The acupuncturist is the subject matter expert on acupuncture services and will provide guidance when requested regarding purchased care. The acupuncturist shall document, and code information related to patient care in the VA's electronic health care record on a timely basis following VHA policies. The acupuncturist communicates with other health care providers as appropriate.
• Demonstrates behaviors that reflect a commitment to continuous professional development, ethical practice, and understanding and sensitivity to diversity, and a responsible attitude toward their patients and their profession. Cooperate with the patient's physician, dentist or podiatrist in regard to the coordination of the patient's care and comply with restrictions or conditions as directed by the physician, dentist or podiatrist.
• Performs auricular, hand, nose, face, foot and/or scalp acupuncture therapy, using a variety of pre-sterilized, single-use, filiform needles, and is the technical expert in the operation and maintenance of specialized equipment.
• Performs manual stimulation, including stimulation by an instrument or mechanical device that does not pierce the skin (e.g. massage, acupressure, reflexology, Shiatsu and tui nia).
• Performs acupuncture diagnostic technique that includes but is not limited to the use of observation, listening, smelling, inquiring, palpation, pulses, etc.
• Recommends breathing techniques, and therapeutic exercises, as well as lifestyle, behavioral, supportive, educational and stress counseling.
• Develops acupuncture treatment plans.
• Provides lifestyle, behavioral, supportive, educational, and stress counseling to patients.
• Practices safe needling technique using clean needle technique and universal precautions and ensuring compliance with infection control practices and guidelines. Sanitizing instruments and equipment in accordance with guidelines.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Occasional travel to other clinics throughout the catchment area is expected in order to facilitate and coordinate patient care. This may include, but not limited to, direct patient care and/or meetings.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Education. Individual must meet one of the requirements below:(1) Master's degree in acupuncture or oriental medicine from a program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM).OR(2) Advanced level degree in acupuncture or oriental medicine from a program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM).
• Certification. Acupuncturists hired in the VHA must be board certified through the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). The board certification must be current and the acupuncturist must abide by the certifying body's requirements for continuing education.
• Licensure. Current, full, active, and unrestricted license to practice acupuncture in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e. Puerto Rico) of the United States, or District of Columbia.
• English Language Proficiency. Candidates will not be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who are not proficient in written and spoken English. See Chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part.

1. Ability to screen referrals and direct veterans to other services as appropriate.
2. Ability to formulate an appropriate differential diagnosis.
3. Ability to formulate an acupuncture treatment plan independently or with other health care professionals.
4. Ability to educate patients on health lifestyle changes including nutrition, exercise, sleeping habits, stress management, mind body techniques and other matters related to acupuncture care. This includes the ability to communicate with individuals of varying backgrounds.
5. Skill in the selection and use of the appropriate acupuncture tools and supplies based on needs of the patient

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.