The staff licensed acupuncturist (L.Ac.) clinical specialist works as a team member of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services (PMRS) within the VA Loma Linda Health Care System (VALLHCS) under the supervision of the Service Chief of PM&R. The acupuncturist provides clinical services for veterans in the ambulatory care setting.

Duties

The types of disorders treated may include, but are not limited to, neuromuscular; musculoskeletal; orthopedic; amputation; cardiovascular; pulmonary; diabetes; neuro-psychiatric; neurological disorders, including spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, Parkinsonism; alcohol and substance abuse; mental and behavioral health; and other acute and chronic conditions associated with adult/geriatric patients and rehabilitation. Duties include, but may not be limited to the following: Serves as a member of an interdisciplinary team that provides acupuncture treatment as well as further coordination of care for patients referred for acupuncture services. Performs safe, clinically indicated acupuncture services utilizing current clean needle technique (CNT) as identified by the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (CCAOM). Reviews and triages acupuncture referrals and manages clinical workload demands, adapting clinic schedules to accommodate unusual scheduling needs, a typical workload requirements, and coverage needs. Receives patient referrals for evaluation; independently analyzes medical histories and physical findings to formulate a differential diagnosis based on oriental and western medicine paradigms; develops treatment plans and modifies plans on an ongoing basis according to progress and patient preferences to better meet the short- and long-term goals and maximize functional independence. Selects appropriate evaluation tools that are consistent with history and subjective complaints. S/he identifies signs and symptoms that substantially impact treatment and outcomes and integrates findings into a plan of care, consulting with other disciplines and referring practitioners as appropriate. Formulates an appropriate differential diagnosis and identifies intervention priorities, determines prognosis and specific further assessment needs, including the need for continuing, modifying, or discontinuing services. Demonstrates knowledge of complex issues surrounding the delivery of care as it relates to acupuncture services, including treatment sequencing; combining acupuncture as part of multidisciplinary programs; and ability to adapt acupuncture services and problem solving in multiple settings and dynamic programs. Interprets findings and educates patients and families about biomedical and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) disease process, purpose of treatment, and patients' rights and responsibility to improve compliance with treatment. Demonstrates the ability to educate patients on health lifestyle changes, including nutrition, exercise, sleeping habits, stress management, mind body techniques such as tai chi or qi gong, and other matters related to acupuncture care. This includes the ability to communicate with individuals of varying backgrounds. Elicits patient participation in implementing objectives and goals in restoring or maintaining patient performance and considers the effects of applicable psychosocial and environmental circumstances. S/he independently employs different motivational techniques to ensure patient participation in treatment programs where objectives are difficult to achieve because of severity or complexity of complaints. Completes electronic progress notes on patients assigned, at required intervals, including observations of patients' functional status, behaviors pertinent to patient complaints, relevant short- and long-term goals, progress toward discharge, and disposition recommendations. Contributes to the knowledge and techniques in relation to acupuncture, traditional Chinese modalities, and Whole Health initiatives by actively participating in the facility education and in-service programs. Effectively serves as a subject matter expert (SME) consultant for healthcare providers regarding the delivery of acupuncture services. Serves as a mentor to new or less experienced staff and/or students. Understands and meets accreditation standards related to pain assessment and management as identified in the Joint Commission and/or the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) manuals. Follows established practices and reports to supervisor, as promptly as possible, any occupational illness or injury sustained. Demonstrates knowledge, skill and ability to recognize and respond appropriately to emergency situations. Maintains current BLS certification. Serves on or chairs work groups, committees, subcommittees and/or teams as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Acupuncturist / FS000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

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). Foreign Graduates. Graduates of foreign acupuncture programs meet the education 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. Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series that are performing the duties as described in this qualification standard on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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. 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 (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. 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: 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 Physical Requirements: This work is mostly sedentary and requires standing, bending, and carrying.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Accreditation Information: The 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). Acupunture & Oriental Medicine

NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

NOTE: If your school was accredited by ACAOM at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the ACAOM website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.

Contacts

• Address Jerry L Pettis Memorial Veterans Hospital 11201 Benton Street Loma Linda, CA 92357 US
• Name: Erin Youngman
• Phone: (480) 492-0605
• Email: [email protected]