Individual at this grade level serve as the Whole Health Acupuncturist responsible for delivering acupuncture services to veterans served by the Wilmington VAMC. The primary role is to deliver appropriate individualized acupuncture treatment to veterans. This position is located at the Wilmington VA campus.
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. English Language. Professions appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d). 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). Foreign Graduates. Graduates of foreign acupuncture programs meet the requirements listed above 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. 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. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic qualifications listed above, you must also meet the following: Acupuncturist, GS-11: 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. In addition to the basic qualifications and the experience or education for the GS-11 grade level listed above, must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA) 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. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS11. Physical Requirements: Work includes regular and recurring physical excretion, with long periods of standing, bending, kneeling, walking, reaching, gripping, sitting, twisting, pulling or pushing carts with inventories or activities involving retrieving items from shelves and cabinets. and patient transfers. Intermittent light lifting (up to 20 lbs. or more), is often required. The work involves moderate risks or discomforts requiring normal safety precautions typical of a hospital setting. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
Duties include but not limited to the following: Task #1: 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. Task #2: Provide group acupuncture. The acupuncturist will provide group acupuncture, as determined. Task #3: 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. Task #4: Maintain trainings and attend required meetings. The acupuncturist shall maintain up-to-date VHA and professional trainings. Required meetings must be attended. Task #5: 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. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required