This position is located at the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, IL (578) - a Level 1a Complexity VHA Facility. Primary location is Joliet CBOC, with occasional coverage at Hines.

Duties

This position is located within the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) Service at the Edwards Hines Jr. VA Hospital in Hines, which is a 1a Complexity Level VHA facility. The purpose of this position is to attempt to relieve pain or improve bodily function primarily through the insertion of pre-sterilized, single-use, filiform needles designed to penetrate the skin with minimal discomfort and local tissue injury. Provide Individualized Acupuncture Treatment: 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, and may apply safe and effective advanced acupuncture techniques. 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. 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. Appropriate informed consent shall be completed prior to acupuncture treatment where any needling procedure occurs. The acupuncturist communicates with other health care providers as appropriate. Maintain trainings and attend required meetings: The acupuncturist shall maintain up-to-date VHA and professional training. Required meetings must be attended. Administration: The acupuncturist will review referrals, screen for appropriateness of care, and direct Veterans to other services when necessary. The acupuncturist is the subject matter expert on acupuncture and East Asian Medicine services and will provide guidance when requested regarding purchased care. Knowledge of complex issues surrounding the delivery of care as it relates to acupuncture services, such as evidence base and cost effectiveness. Problem solve issues in the delivery of acupuncture. Leadership: The acupuncturist will participate in teaching principles of acupuncture to staff, students and residents including journal clubs grand round and in-service. The incumbent provides assistance as needed for issues or problems that arise in relation to the acupuncture practice and serves as a preceptor to new staff or less experienced staff and students, The advanced level acupuncturist serves as an advisor to leadership on issues pertaining to acupuncture. The acupuncturist may participate in clinical research projects. The acupuncturist may treat a wide range of conditions and acupuncture may be used alone or as an adjunct to traditional medical care. The acupuncturist includes the stimulation of specific points along the skin of the body using thin needles with or without the addition of electric stimulation. The acupuncturist may use various techniques commonly taught in East Asian Medicine or Acupuncture schools. The incumbent understands and assures compliance with the various consent and time out procedures. These relate to both Edwards Hines Jr. VA Hospital policies as well as Joint Commission standards. Plans daily work and patient schedule effectively, sets priorities, and coordinates activities for the clinic and administrative needs to support patient continuity-of care. Uses in-depth knowledge of location and function of major body organs related to the specialized field in which the employee works to obtain desired results in specialized or complicated procedures where no standard instructions exist. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm

Requirements

Qualifications

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 Proficiency Requirement: Per VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3j: No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C., chapter 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English. Education Requirement : Applicants 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). OR 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 Requirement: 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. Copy of Certification Required Licensure Requirement: 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. Copy of Licensure Required. Grade Determinations. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: Acupuncturist, GS-12 (Advanced Level) Experience. In addition to the basic requirements, completion of a minimum of one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Skill and ability to perform safe and effective advanced acupuncture techniques. Knowledge of complex issues surrounding the delivery of care as it relates to acupuncture services, such as evidence based and cost effectiveness. Ability to apply and adapt acupuncture to new and changing programs. Knowledge of research strategies, methodologies and principles. Ability to problem solve issues surrounding delivery of acupuncture. 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). References: VA Handbook 5005/100, Part II, Appendix G53, Acupuncturist Qualification Standards, dated 2/7/2018.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Edward Hines Junior Hospital 5000 South 5th Avenue Hines, IL 60141 US
• Name: Amanda Smithy
• Phone: 708-768-3202
• Email: [email protected]