Summary
The staff acupuncturist (L.Ac or AP) clinical specialist works as an independent clinician while serving as an integral team member of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services/Chronic Pain Center of Excellence within the WPB VA Health Care System under the supervision of the Section Chief of Pain Management.
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
This is a public announcement open to external candidates. Veterans Preference is first consideration. Those who are Current VA employees/ HPT and recent VA Grads interested must apply to announcement CBTC-12548907-24-TE
Duties
This position will be located at the Port Saint Lucie Clinic
The L.Ac or AP serving in the Chronic Pain Management Treatment Program delivers skilled acupuncture in a completely independent fashion. Delivery of care to these Veterans with multiple diagnoses and related problems demands high-level, independent decision-making.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities-but not limited to:
- The acupuncturist will utilize standard medical evaluation procedures and East Asian Medicine evaluation in accordance with the established treatment plan.
- 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.
- The acupuncturist shall maintain up-to-date VHA and professional trainings.
- Serves as a member of Chronic Pain Center of Excellence 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, atypical workload requirements, and coverage needs.
- Chooses 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.
- Demonstrates the skill necessary for the selection and use of the appropriate acupuncture tools and supplies based on needs of the patient.
- Performs clinical evaluations and develops management plans consistent with current and future evidence-based best practices and clinical practice guidelines.
- 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.
- 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.
- In addition to the rehabilitation department, the licensed acupuncturist works effectively with and advises healthcare professionals from all departments and programs to provide appropriate case management to referred Veterans.
- Complies with consult management and scheduling guidelines.
- Demonstrates knowledge, skills and ability to recognize and respond appropriately to emergency situations. Maintains current BLS and First Aid certifications.
- Provides L.Ac. or AP coverage to other clinics, CLC, DRRTP & CBOC as assigned.
- Maintains equipment in good working order and places orders for inventory / supplies needed for their job duties.
- Acupuncturist 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.
- Effectively serves as a consultant for healthcare providers regarding the delivery of acupuncture services.
- Other duties as assigned.
Work Schedule: 8am-4:30pm, Monday through Friday
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: FS-41605F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- 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.
- 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.
- 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:
Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).
English Language Proficiency. Acupuncturist candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
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 education requirements 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-Submit Documentation. 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--Submit Documentation. 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. Acupuncturists employed in VHA in this occupational series (GS-0601) or in another occupational series that are performing the duties as described in this qualification standard on the effective date (2/7/2018) 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.
GS-11 Grade Level Determinations: To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Acupuncturist, 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:
- Ability to screen referrals and direct veterans to other services as appropriate.
- Ability to formulate an appropriate differential diagnosis.
- Ability to formulate an acupuncture treatment plan independently or with other health care professionals.
- 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.
- Skill in the selection and use of the appropriate acupuncture tools and supplies based on needs of the patient.
Assignment. Acupuncturists at this level review and triage acupuncture referrals. The incumbent serves as a member of an interdisciplinary team providing acupuncture treatment as well as further coordination of care for patients referred for acupuncture services. The acupuncturist analyzes medical histories and physical findings to formulate a differential diagnosis based on oriental and western medicine paradigms. Duties include the design and oversight of acupuncture treatment plans as well as a full range of acupuncture services, monitoring the accuracy of needle placement during a treatment. The incumbent communicates with patients about any abnormal or unexpected results or responses to treatment and advises patients regarding lifestyle changes including nutrition, exercise, sleeping habits, stress management, mind body techniques and other matters related to acupuncture care. The acupuncturist may submit referrals and requests for devices, materials and appliances available and commonly used by the acupuncture profession. Duties include documentation of information related to patient care including assessment, diagnosis, treatment, response to treatment, plan of care, and patient education as well as identification and documentation of appropriate coding for each patient encounter. The acupuncturist provides information regarding the patient consultation to other health care providers. The incumbent manages clinical workload demands. The incumbent serves as a mentor to new staff or less experienced staff and students.
Preferred Experience: 3-5 years experience
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: This work is 50% sedentary and 50% requires standing, lifting, 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/.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Area of Consideration- Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:
- Veterans Preference
- All other applicants.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
- License
- Board certification through the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM)
- Professional Certification
- Resume
- Transcript
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.
- Cover Letter
- DD-214/ Statement of Service
- Disability Letter (Schedule A)
- Disability Letter (VA)
- License
- Board certification through the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM)
- Professional Certification
- Proof of Marriage Status
- Resume
- Separation Notice (RIF)
- SF-15
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
- Transcript
Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 10/11/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12548906.
- To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
- Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.
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