Incumbent will serve as an Acupuncturist at the Colorado Springs CBOC within the Eastern Colorado VA Healthcare system. 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. 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: 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: 1. 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, 2. 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. 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 Requirements: Sitting, standing, light lifting (up to 20 lbs.). ECHCS has a policy of NO PATIENT LIFT, meaning that mechanical lifts are available to assist with safe patient transfers without lifting patients directly. ["1. Acupuncturist receives patient caseload through referrals from medical providers. Evaluation includes but is not limited to chart review, medical history, functional tests and measures, pain scale, social needs, and Acupuncture treatment potential, patient and therapy goals with time frames, using standard and non-standard measures to assess the level of patient function. 2. Acupuncturist develops and implements a treatment plan to meet the individual treatment needs. Treatment plan would be as described above. 3. Acupuncturist keeps the medical team providers informed regarding outcomes of treatment through a variety of communication means. 4. Documents in CPRS for each patient by established policy including but not limited to: consult screening results, potential goals, expected outcomes in terms of function, and/or discharge summary including outcome of goals, as well as equipment provided and education given to patient and family. 5. Carries a full patient caseload, accepting new patient consults as referred by medical providers. Caseload will be outpatient Acupuncture referrals. 6. Considers age and developmental level, gender, education, cultural background and socioeconomic, medical and functional status when providing Acupuncture services. Is aware of signs and symptoms of abuse or neglect and reports to the appropriate authorities. Acupuncture services will be provided to an adult population of patients. 7. The Acupuncturist's level of responsibility in the Acupuncture program is with complete independence and is responsible for maintaining high professional standards. The Acupuncturist displays courtesy, civility and constructive behavior, and expresses empathy for the legitimate needs and concerns of others. The Acupuncturist will meet the needs of customers while supporting the VA missions. 8. Incumbent is responsible to triage and manage consults received for Outpatient Acupuncture. 9. Assists with monitoring and evaluation of clinically appropriate treatment programs with great autonomy as well as, the ability to provide professional oversight and consultation for staff Acupuncturists. 10. Handles phone calls from physician providers about individual patients, serves as a liaison with medical center providers, and manages the daily needs of staff/physician communication. 11. Participates in weekly meetings with the Rehab CBOC supervisor as appropriate. 12. Assists in Acupuncture program development, outcome measures, and strategic planning for the department. 13. Participates in hospital sponsored accreditation activities, helping to prepare the department meet Joint Commission standards and other accreditation standards as needed. 14. Relays requests for resources and supplies to the Supervisor as needed. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm, may have options for compressed schedule. Functional Statement #: 554-54695-A Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
About Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
