Acupuncturist

The St. Louis VA Healthcare System is seeking a highly qualified Acupuncturist to perform a variety of Acupuncture task in Whole Health Services to provide care to our Veterans. The Whole Health Acupuncturist works in Whole Health System under Primary Care Services at the St. Louis VAMC. STL VAMC is a large Level-1B highly complex hospital and serves all sites of care within the catchment area. This position reports directly to the Whole Health System Chief of Complementary & Integrative Health.

The Acupuncturist is responsible for providing acupuncture modalities such as Traditional Chinese medicine approaches, Community Style Acupuncture, Auricular Acupuncture such as BFA/NADA that are used to treat a wide range of complex veteran conditions. They will assist in appropriate decision-making, referrals, and care coordination, including both in-house and community care and serve as the Clinical Subject Matter Expert to other Whole Health staff and clinical providers. Clinical Duties: -Assesses patients using Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) frameworks, while identifying contraindications to treatment (e.g., bleeding disorders, pregnancy considerations, pacemakers) - Develops individualized treatment plans based on diagnosis indicated on the referral, and applies appropriate modalities. - Educates patients from various backgrounds on whole health practice including healthy lifestyle changes including nutrition, exercise, sleeping habits, stress management, mind body techniques and other matters related to and in conjunction with acupuncture care.

- Inserts and manipulates needles at acupuncture points while maintaining sterile needle techniques. - Monitors patient during treatment for adverse reactions (e.g. fainting, bruising, pneumothorax risk with certain points) and is able to manage minor adverse events.

- Maintains accurate & timely clinical records, including diagnosis, treatment provided, and patient response to treatment. - Communicates and coordinates with other Whole Health providers when indicated and within their scope of practice. - Monitors patient response to treatment, collects outcomes associated with care, adjusts the treatment plan accordingly, and ensures the successful completion of therapy with appropriate discharge planning.

Training & Program Development: - Demonstrates effectiveness in teaching and monitors and coordinates educational activities in compliance with necessary trainee supervision requirements. - Collaborates with affiliated academic institutions, training programs, or VA research offices to support scholarly activities. Research Participation & Support: - Supports clinical research initiatives related to acupuncture care as approved by the facility's Institutional Review Board.

- Assists in the collection, documentation, and reporting of data for research studies, quality improvement projects, and evidence-based practice initiatives. Professionalism: - Adheres to state and national certification standards (NCCAOM) & complies with continuing educational requirements. - Demonstrates behaviors that reflect a commitment to continuous professional development, ethical practice, understanding and sensitivity to diversity, and a responsible attitude toward patients and the profession.

- Ensures compliance with Joint Commission standards, VHA Directives, and applicable federal, state, and local regulations. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 0000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized