Clarification from the agency

This job is open to current permanent Department of Veteran Affairs employees, current permanent Federal employees of other agencies and all US Citizens. Area of Consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order: 1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility. 2. All other VA employees. 3. Current permanent Federal employees of other agencies. 4. All other Applicants All other applicant will be referred in Veterans' Preference Order

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Major Duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Provide individualized acupuncture treatment - The acupuncturist will utilize standard medical evaluation procedures and Acupuncture Medicine evaluation to formulate a differential diagnosis to develop an acupuncture treatment plan. Acupuncturists use techniques of acupuncture, acupressure, and electroacupuncture as well as adjunctive techniques. Adjunctive techniques may include manual, mechanical, thermal, electrical, and electromagnetic approaches as well as recommendations in lifestyle, dietary modifications, and therapeutic movements per state scope of practice (or NSP when adopted) and in accordance with facility level scope. The acupuncturist shall educate patients on healthy lifestyle changes including nutrition, exercise, sleeping habits, stress management, mind body techniques and other matters related to acupuncture care.
• Provide group acupuncture - The acupuncturist will provide group acupuncture, as determined.
• Complete clinical notes in electronic health record system - 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. Oral informed consent shall be completed prior to acupuncture and adjunctive treatment(s) and documented in the electronic health record. The acupuncturist communicates with other healthcare providers as appropriate.
• Maintain trainings and attend required meetings - The acupuncturist shall maintain up-to-date VHA and professional trainings. Required meetings must be attended.
• Administration - The acupuncturist will review referrals, screen for appropriateness of care, and direct Veterans to others services when necessary, as directed. The acupuncturist serves as a subject matter expert on acupuncture services and provides guidance when requested regarding community care. Knowledge of issues surrounding the delivery of care as it relates to acupuncture services and the efficient delivery of acupuncture services to include groups and protocolized approaches for their own clinics.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Qualifications

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.
• 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.
• Education: Individual must meet one of the requirements below:
  • Master's degree in acupuncture or oriental medicine from a program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM). OR
  • Advanced level degree in acupuncture or oriental medicine from a program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM).
  • Foreign Graduates: Graduates of foreign acupuncture programs meet the requirements in subparagraph 3b if they have a full unrestricted and current license to practice acupuncture in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia.
• 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.
  • Loss of Certification: An acupuncturist who fails to maintain the required certificate must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment. At the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may be reassigned to another occupation if qualified and if a placement opportunity exists.
• 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.
  • Loss of licensure: An acupuncturist who fails to maintain the required license must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment. At the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may be reassigned to another occupation if qualified and if a placement opportunity exists.

• Acupuncturist, GS-9 (Entry Level):
  • Experience: None beyond the basic requirements.
• Acupuncturist, GS-11 (Full Performance Level):
  • Experience or Education: Individual must meet at least one of the requirements below:
    • Experience: In addition to the basic requirements, must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level, which is directly related to the position to be filled. OR,
    • Education: Doctoral degree or equivalent degree from an accredited college or university in an acupuncture or oriental medicine.
  • Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
    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, resume, 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.

This job is open to current permanent Department of Veteran Affairs employees, current permanent Federal employees of other agencies and all US Citizens.

Area of Consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:
1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility.
2. All other VA employees.
3. Current permanent Federal employees of other agencies.
4. All other Applicants. All other applicant wills be referred in Veterans' Preference Order.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.