Practice of acupuncture means the insertion and removal of acupuncture needles, injection therapy, the application of heat therapies to specific areas of the human body, and adjunctive therapies. Adjunctive therapies within the scope of acupuncture may include manual, mechanical, thermal, electrical, and electromagnetic treatment; the recommendation of therapeutic exercises.

Duties

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. Consent shall be completed prior to acupuncture treatment where any needling procedure occurs. Oral informed consent is valid for acupuncture and this consent should be documented in the patient encounter. 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 will review referrals, screen for appropriateness of care, and direct Veterans to other services when necessary to include Community Care. The acupuncturist is the subject matter expert on acupuncture and East Asian Medicine services and will provide guidance when requested regarding Community Care. Knowledge of complex issues surrounding the delivery of care as it relates to acupuncture services, such as evidence base and cost effectiveness. Problem solves issues in the delivery of acupuncture. 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. Acupuncturist develops and implements a treatment plan to meet the individual treatment needs. Treatment plan would be as described above. Acupuncturist keeps the medical team providers informed regarding outcomes of treatment through a variety of communication means. 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. Carries a full patient caseload, accepting new patient consults as referred by medical providers. Caseload will be outpatient Acupuncture referrals. 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. 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. Incumbent is responsible to triage and manage consults received for Outpatient Acupuncture. 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. 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. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: M-F 7:30 AM- 4 PM Compressed/Flexible: May be available Telework: Not Eligible for Telework Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 554-54696-A, 554-54695-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS):Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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. 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. 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). 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: In addition to the basic requirements, applicants must also meet the below grade requirements. GS-9: Experience. None beyond the basic requirements GS-11: 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. Preferred Experience: 1 year Acupuncture Experience 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-09 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: Pre-placement and periodic physical examinations are required for hybrid occupations to ensure workers are placed in positions where they can perform the essential functions of their job considering their physical, mental and emotional capacities, without endangering their health or the health of their co-workers. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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.

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 Eastern Colorado HCS Denver 13611 E. Colfax Ave Aurora, CO 80045 US
• Name: Kelli Ann Crumpton
• Phone: 720-369-1396
• Email: [email protected]