Licensed Acupuncturist 

SUMMARY:

The Licensed Acupuncturist (LAc) assesses and evaluates the overall health status of patients with complex conditions, varying diagnoses, chronic and acute pain, behavioral/mood disorders, muscular-skeletal problems, and other health related challenges, including a variety of opioid dependent/substance use disorder issues.

The scope of practice for an LAc involves the use of techniques to stimulate specific points on the body. Through use of traditional allopathic medicine and traditional chinese medicine (TCM) and herbal medicine. LAc performs acupuncture, gives nutritional advice, makes lifestyle recommendations, advises on herbal remedies, treat the whole person and address their physical and emotional health needs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Essential duties and responsibilities are performed within the context of collaboration and coordination with ODCHC’s multiple departments and programs, including strong relationships with department and site leadership:

• Comprehensive patient history-taking and pertinent physical examination as it relates to the management of care.
• Collection of appropriate information from other providers and prior health care complaints and care.

• Administration of pertinent treatment modalities, such as:

• Traditional needling techniques in addition to local and distal point acupuncture therapies
• Herb/nutritional supplementation counseling
• Arial acupuncture using National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) standard of practice/protocol when indicated.
• Co-manage conditions with referral sources where appropriate

• Takes patient histories, assesses for red flags and psychosocial risk factors for chronicity and performs complete physical examinations of patients.
• Assesses the clinical status of patients.
• Orders and performs laboratory and screening/diagnostic tests as indicated to make a diagnosis.
• Formulates clinical assessment based upon clinical findings, plans, and coordinates care.
• Provides and evaluates patient care according to adopted protocols and quality improvement program criteria.
• Participates in on-going evaluation, quality improvement, required trainings, peer review, provider meetings and other clinical meetings.
• Participates in supervision, training and evaluation of support staff.
• Mentors peers and teaches students and residents when requested.
• Reviews and prepares protocols for use by staff.
• Maintains accurate, complete, concise, and timely documentation in the electronic medical record.
• Responds to patient or co-worker complaints and works toward a positive resolution of any dispute.
• Serves as a member of site committees when requested.
• Identifies problems related to patient services and makes recommendations for improvement.
• Adheres to established clinical protocols, procedures, and attendance policy.
• Assists in updating clinical protocols and procedures when requested.
• Other duties and responsibilities as designated by supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS: The successful candidate will possess experience and skills spanning a variety of areas:

• Excellent interpersonal skills, written and verbal. Ability to establish constructive working relationships with all levels of management and employees in a staff of varied and diverse background.
• Ability to provide appropriate body acupuncture to patients during private, one-on-one sessions and individual patients within a group setting (when appropriate). This may include distal work in addition to core work in group or one–on-one setting.
• Ability to work in a high paced environment and maintain professional interactions with patients and staff.
• Ability to work within the allopathic western medicine setting, while working collaborative with leadership to determine best practices of integration of alternative care services.
• Ability to work as a member of a team in order to solicit input from other affected departments or individuals, communicate pertinent information to other team members, and support team decisions.
• Ability to be persuasive and diplomatic in encouraging teamwork and cooperation in the pursuit of excellence in service.
• Ability to communicate effectively and exercise sound and responsible judgment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, written and verbal. Ability to establish constructive working relationships with all levels of management and employees in a staff of varied and diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to handle difficult or confrontational situations in a calm, consistent, and equitable manner.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
• Ability to effectively represent ODCHC’s interests in the community and maintain effective working relationships among co-workers, public, private, and professional groups.
• Strong computer skills with specific aptitude in Microsoft Office Suite and/or Electronic Medical Records (EMR).
• Adheres to ODCHC’s policies and procedures.

MINIMUM EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• Undergraduate degree in health care or related field; graduate degree preferred
• Licensed in the State of Ca. and maintains acupuncturist licensed and other licensing requirements.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

• Current California acupuncturist license.
• Current CPR/AED.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: This is largely a site-based position; however, travel among other ODCHC sites is expected. The physical requirements described are representative of those needed to successfully perform the essential duties of the position. Reasonable accommodation will be made to allow otherwise qualified candidates to perform these functions.

• Ability to communicate via telephone, video, and/or in-person.
• Vision adequate to read documents, computer screens, forms.
• Good manual dexterity.
• Requires lifting 15-44 pounds; pushing (approximately 2 hours); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers and both hands; walking and standing from 3-5 hours and kneeling. Good manual dexterity and ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously.
• Ability to move around offices and clinics as needed.

Apply Now