This Acupuncturist position is in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation within the Integrated Pain Clinic Service at the Manchester VA Medical Center location. This position is a full-time at 40 per week.
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: 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. 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. 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). Preferred Experience: Post master's experience in acupuncture. Prior experience working within the Veterans Administration and/or within an interdisciplinary team is preferred. Grade Determinations: 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. (To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA), (KSAs) associated with acupuncture. The experience must be post-master's degree or higher.) 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: Ability to screen referrals and direct veterans to other services as appropriate. Ability to formulate an appropriate differential diagnosis. Ability to formulate an acupuncture treatment plan independently or with other health care professionals. 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. Skill in the selection and use of the appropriate acupuncture tools and supplies based on needs of the patient. References: VA Handbook 5005/100 Part II Appendix G53 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-9 to GS-11. Physical Demands: Sitting, standing, light lifting (up to 20 lbs.) Please see VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Work Environment: The work involves regular and recurring exposure to moderate risks and discomforts that require special safety and health precautions. Work is typically performed in a clinical setting that exposes incumbent to biohazards, hazardous chemicals and hazardous medications common in health care environment. Such exposure will be mitigated in accordance with local policies and operating procedures as per USP800 standards, OSHA guidance and local risk assessment practices. Standard safety precautions and PPE are required and specified per local policies. The employee will apply all established safe practices, will report unsafe conditions and unsafe practices to the supervisor, and will report any occupational injury or illness as promptly as practical.
Duties include but are not limited to: The acupuncturist will utilize standard medical evaluation procedures and East Asian Medicine evaluation 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. The acupuncturist shall educate patients on health lifestyle changes including nutrition, exercise, sleeping habits, stress management, mind body techniques and other matters related to acupuncture care. The acupuncturist will provide group acupuncture as determined. 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. iMed consent shall be completed prior to acupuncture treatment where any needling procedure occurs. Oral informed consent is valid for auricular acupuncture only. The acupuncturist communicates with other health care providers as appropriate The acupuncturist shall maintain up-to-date VHA and professional trainings. Required meetings must be attended. The acupuncturist shall collaborate with other members of the pain management team and referring providers. The acupuncturist is the subject matter expert on acupuncture and East Asian Medicine services and will provide guidance when requested regarding purchased care. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, Full time, 7:30am-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available. Telework: Not Eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 915880 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized