Career Center

The Acupuncturist operates under the direction of the Telehealth/Whole Health Nurse Manager at the Iron Mountain VA Medical Center. Acupuncture is a modality used to treat a wide range of conditions, used alone or as an adjunct to other treatment modalities. Acupuncture is the stimulation of specific points along the skin of the body using thin needles. It can be associated with the application of heat, pressure, or laser light to these points. 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 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. 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: GS-11 Level: 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 experience, applicants must also demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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. References: VA Handbook 5005/100, Part II, Appendix G53, Dated February 7, 2018 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The employee works and functions in the medical center in a safe manner, including infection control and the correct operation of equipment. ["Duties Include: Utilizes standard medical evaluation procedures and East Asian Medicine evaluation under the direction of a journey level or higher acupuncturist or other health care provider in accordance with the established treatment plan. Educates patients on health lifestyle changes including nutrition, exercise, sleeping habits, stress management, mind body techniques and other matters related to acupuncture care. Provides group acupuncture as determined. Communicates with other health care providers as a member of an interdisciplinary team providing care to the Veteran 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 Demonstrates Patient Centered Care (PCC) through the use of effective communication with patients, families, visitors, and members of the interdisciplinary team, including the patient in mutual goal setting, and providing patient advocacy when appropriate. Work Schedule: The tour of duty for this position is typically Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Additional information may be provided during the interview process\nTelework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]