acupuncturist/references/tasks.md

Tasks & work activities — acupuncturist

Source: O*NET 30.3, occupation 29-1291.00 (Acupuncturists).

Task statements

• [Core] Formulate herbal preparations to treat conditions considering herbal properties, such as taste, toxicity, effects of preparation, contraindications, and incompatibilities.
• [Core] Maintain and follow standard quality, safety, environmental, and infection control policies and procedures.
• [Core] Maintain detailed and complete records of health care plans and prognoses.
• [Core] Dispense herbal formulas and inform patients of dosages and frequencies, treatment duration, possible side effects, and drug interactions.
• [Core] Consider Western medical procedures in health assessment, health care team communication, and care referrals.
• [Core] Adhere to local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and statutes.
• [Core] Treat patients using tools, such as needles, cups, ear balls, seeds, pellets, or nutritional supplements.
• [Core] Educate patients on topics, such as meditation, ergonomics, stretching, exercise, nutrition, the healing process, breathing, or relaxation techniques.
• [Core] Evaluate treatment outcomes and recommend new or altered treatments as necessary to further promote, restore, or maintain health.
• [Core] Assess patients' general physical appearance to make diagnoses.
• [Core] Collect medical histories and general health and lifestyle information from patients.
• [Core] Apply moxibustion directly or indirectly to patients using Chinese, non-scarring, stick, or pole moxa.
• [Core] Apply heat or cold therapy to patients using materials, such as heat pads, hydrocollator packs, warm compresses, cold compresses, heat lamps, or vapor coolants.
• [Core] Analyze physical findings and medical histories to make diagnoses according to Oriental medicine traditions.
• [Core] Develop individual treatment plans and strategies.
• [Core] Treat medical conditions, using techniques such as acupressure, shiatsu, or tuina.
• [Core] Insert needles to provide acupuncture treatment.
• [Core] Identify correct anatomical and proportional point locations based on patients' anatomy and positions, contraindications, and precautions related to treatments, such as intradermal needles, moxibustion, electricity, guasha, or bleeding.

Detailed work activities

• Advise patients on effects of health conditions or treatments.
• Analyze test data or images to inform diagnosis or treatment.
• Collect medical information from patients, family members, or other medical professionals.
• Develop treatment plans that use non-medical therapies.
• Evaluate patient outcomes to determine effectiveness of treatments.
• Evaluate treatment options to guide medical decisions.
• Examine patients to assess general physical condition.
• Follow protocols or regulations for healthcare activities.
• Prepare medications or medical solutions.
• Prescribe treatments or therapies.
• Record patient medical histories.
• Train patients, family members, or caregivers in techniques for managing disabilities or illnesses.
• Treat patients using alternative medical procedures.
• Treat patients using physical therapy techniques.