Duties

The incumbent will report to the Chief, PM&R, but primarily operates within the facility Whole Health (WH) model aligned under the Chief of Staff (COS). The incumbent is responsible for day-to-day clinical operations of assigned acupuncture clinics and may be asked to provide input on those operations to improve access, efficiency and continued implementation of best practices. Incumbent is expected to practice within licensure and certification parameters with a minimum of oversight. Incumbent may be tasked to participate in Interdisciplinary Teams, educate internal and external stakeholders about Acupuncture and provide training in auricular acupuncture to qualified providers throughout the facility.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• 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 will incorporate the various training techniques taught within East Asian Medicine and acupuncture. The acupuncturist shall educate patients on healthy lifestyle changes including nutrition, exercise, sleeping habits, stress management, mind body techniques and other matters related to acupuncture care that are based in best practices for overall health and wellness.
• Will provide group acupuncture as determined appropriate by diagnosis and plan of care.
• Will document and code information related to patient care in the electronic health care record on a timely basis following VHA policies. Appropriate consent will be obtained prior to acupuncture treatment where any needling procedure occurs. The acupuncturist communicates with other health care providers as needed to ensure the acupuncture plan of care aligns with other prescribed care as appropriate.
• Maintain up to date VHA and professional trainings.
• Will attend required meetings.
• Participate in various hospital committees, departmental and hospital in-service programs and education programs of the department and the hospital. Involved in continuous quality improvement through peer review process. Receives and triages all acupuncture consults within 2 days of receipt (and during times of absence, delegates this task appropriately).
• Adhere to VHA Directives regarding the administration of acupuncture treatment to Veterans.
• Expected to demonstrate behaviors that reflect a commitment to continuous professional development, ethical practice, understanding and sensitivity to diversity, and a responsible attitude toward their patients and their profession.
• Expected to demonstrate both an understanding of the contexts and systems in which health care is provided, and the ability to apply this knowledge to improve and optimize health care.

Work Schedule: Expected to work 80 hours per pay period to meet service needs
Compressed/Flexible:Yes
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

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.

Education. Individual 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).

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. 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.

Grade Determinations: 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 11.

Physical Requirements: May engage in the following activities/positions/tasks as defined: Lifting/carrying up to 25 lbs. intermittently, frequent walking, standing, sitting. Occasional stooping, kneeling, overhead reaching, fine manipulation, pushing, and/or pulling. In addition, occasional operation of a motor vehicle may be indicated.

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 .

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application .