Acupuncturist

Acupuncturist

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Location(s): West Palm Beach, Florida

Salary Range: $78745 - $102364 Per Year

Job Summary: This position is for an Acupuncturist in the West Palm Beach Facility. Acupuncture is a modality used to treat a wide range of conditions, used alone or as an adjunct to other treatment modalities. Acupuncture is the stimulation of specific points along the skin of the body using thin needles.

Major Duties:

• 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. Major duties and responsibilities include: The L.Ac. or AP 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. The incumbent 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). The incumbent reviews and triages acupuncture referrals and manages clinical workload demands, adapting clinic schedules to accommodate unusual scheduling needs, atypical workload requirements, and coverage needs. The L.Ac or AP 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. The incumbent 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. 6. The L.Ac.or AP 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 7. The L.Ac. or AP performs clinical evaluations and develops management plans consistent with current and future evidence-based best practices and clinical practice guidelines. 8. The incumbent demonstrates the skill necessary for the selection and use of the appropriate acupuncture tools and supplies based on needs of the patient. 9. 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. Such settings may include outpatient, inpatient, residential, and skilled nursing environments. 10.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. 11. 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. Work Schedule: 8:00AM am to 4:30 PM, Monday-Friday. May be required to travel 25% . Telework: Not available Virtual: Not available Functional Statement Title: Acupuncturist, GS-0601-09/11 Recruitment/Relocation Incentives: Will not be authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Will not be authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required EDRP: Not available

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). English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d). Education: Individual must meet one of the requirements below:(a) Master's degree in acupuncture or oriental medicine from a program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) OR (b) 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 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. Experience Requirements: In additional to meeting the basic requirements as stated above, you must have the following: Grade Determination GS-09 Level: No additional experience beyond the basic requirement. GS-11 Level: To qualify for GS-11, individuals must meet at least one of the requirements below: Experience: At least one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level, which is directly related to the position to be filled. Examples of experience may include but are not limited to: inserting needles to provide acupuncture treatment and identifying correct anatomical and proportional point locations based on patients' anatomy and positions, contraindications, and precautions related to treatments, such as intradermal needles, and moxibustion. Must also be able to demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities: 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. OR Education: Doctoral degree or equivalent degree from an accredited college or university in an acupuncture or oriental medicine. 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). Physical Requirements: See VA Handbook 5019 Preferred Experience: None Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is 11.

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 12/23/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12847845. 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.

Application Deadline: 2025-12-23