Acupuncturist

Ann Arbor, Michigan Veterans Health Administration is hiring an Acupuncturist. They will utilize standard medical evaluation procedures and East Asian Medicine evaluation to formulate a differential diagnosis to develop an acupuncture treatment plan.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNED DUTIES

Task #1: 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. 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.

Task #2: Provide Group Acupuncture The Acupuncturist will provide group acupuncture as determined.

Task #3: 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. iMed consent shall be completed prior to acupuncture treatment where any needling procedure occurs. Oral informed consent is valid for auricular acupuncture only. The Acupuncturist communicates with other health care providers as appropriate.

Task #4: Maintain Trainings and Attend Required Meetings The Acupuncturist shall maintain up to date VHA and professional trainings. Required meetings must be attended.

Task #5: 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.

II. SCOPE 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.

III. SUPERVISORY CONTROLS Ann Arbor, MI VAMC FS #92373-A 2 Reviewed: January 2022 This position is located within the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, to be supervised by the Whole Health Clinical Director. The Acupuncturist is responsible for being self-directed in the delivery of patient care.

IV. BASIC QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS See VA Handbook 5005/100, PART II, Appendix G53.

V. CUSTOMER SERVICE REQUIREMENTS The Acupuncturist will meet the needs of customers while supporting VA missions. The Acupuncturist will communicate and treat customers (Veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VA staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner and handle conflict constructively and appropriately. The Acupuncturist shall provide the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedure.

VI. AGE, DEVELOPMENT AND CULTURAL NEEDS OF PATIENTS REQUIREMENTS The Acupuncturist will seek to understand and meet the needs of individual patients regarding age, developmental, social, and cultural needs.

VII. COMPUTER SECURITY REQUIREMENT The Acupuncturist will protect printed and electronic files containing sensitive data in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, federal regulations, VA statues and policy, and VHA policy. The Acupuncturist will protect data from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion. The Acupuncturist will follow applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files, release of access codes, etc., as set out in the computer access agreement that the employee signs.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 92373-A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

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 3 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)

(a) 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.

(b) 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: Experience serving as a member of an interdisciplinary team. Experience coordinating care for patients referred for acupuncture services. Experience treating patients with complex medical conditions. Proficiency in the use of electronic medical record systems. Experience within the Veterans Health Administration.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

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, lifting up to 20 pounds.

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/.

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.