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Details Report for:
29-1199.01 - Acupuncturists

Provide treatment of symptoms and disorders using needles and small electrical currents. May provide massage treatment. May also provide preventive treatments.

This title represents an occupation for which data collection is currently underway.

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Tasks  |  Interests  |  Work Values  |  Education  |  Wages & Employment

Tasks   Save Table (XLS/CSV)

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

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Interests   Save Table (XLS/CSV)


Occupational Interest
Interest
83   Social — Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
72   Realistic — Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
67   Investigative — Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
22   Artistic — Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
17   Enterprising — Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
11   Conventional — Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

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Work Values   Save Table (XLS/CSV)


Extent
Work Value
67   Achievement — Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
67   Independence — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employs to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
67   Relationships — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
58   Working Conditions — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
50   Recognition — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
50   Support — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.

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Education

Education data collected from Health Diagnosing and Treating Practitioners, All Other.


Percentage of Respondents
Education Level Attained
94   Bachelor's degree or higher
 High school or less
 Some college

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics external site survey of employees aged 25-44.

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Wages & Employment Trends

National

Median wages data collected from Health Diagnosing and Treating Practitioners, All Other.
Employment data collected from Health Diagnosing and Treating Practitioners, All Other.

Category Occupation Information
Median wages (2008) $31.67 hourly, $65,880 annual
 
Employment (2006) 65,000 employees
 
Projected growth (2006-2016) Average (7% to 13%) Average (7% to 13%)
 
Projected need (2006-2016) 19,000 additional employees

State & National

          CareerOneStop

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2008 wage data external site and 2006-2016 employment projections external site. "Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2006-2016). "Projected need" represents job openings due to growth and net replacement.

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