Clinical Competencies to be Achieved During Internship

Phase 1 Internship Performance Objectives:

• Learn pulse, tongue, and palpation examinations
• Demonstrates skill in basic Western diagnostic examinations; blood pressure, pulse etc.
• Assists with the operation of the clinic; setup, charting, patient flow, etc.
• Complies with blood-borne pathogen safety
• Takes advantage of opportunities to observe and participate in clinic
• Displays skill in accessory therapy: tui-na, moxibustion, cupping etc.
• Displays knowledge of point location consulting texts and charts

Phase 2 Internship Performance Objectives:

• Adheres to clean needle technique
• Demonstrates skill in administering assigned treatments
• Displays skill in reading pulse, tongue and palpatory findings
• Demonstrates ability to insert needles with little or no pain
• Demonstrates ability to interview eliciting necessary information
• Demonstrates ability in the complete documentation SOAP note process.
• Displays knowledge of point location occasionally consulting texts and charts
• Demonstrates professionalism in attitude/appearance and sensitivity to patient needs
• Demonstrates knowledge of pattern differentiation, symptom analysis and selection of treatment

Phase 3 Internship Performance Objectives:

• Demonstrates ability to accurately and independently arrive at a TCM diagnosis
• Able to independently devise and skillfully administer treatment
• Able to independently construct treatment plan and evaluate its efficacy
• Demonstrates skill in insertion and manipulation technique
• Demonstrates professionalism, confidence and sensitivity to patient needs
• Completes thorough and accurate documentation: SOAP notes, history, etc.
• Displays accuracy in knowledge of point location without consulting texts and charts
• Cooperates with supervisors, acts as a mentor to "junior" interns
• Demonstrates critical thinking in pattern differentiation, symptom analysis and selection of therapy
• Be aware of nutrition in the maintenance of health, enhancement of vitality, and resistance to illness

Phase 4 Oriental Medicine Internship Performance Objectives:

• Coordinates Acupuncture, herb and nutrition therapy
• Compounds prescribed formulas in an herbal pharmacy.
• Understands protocol and follows standards for prescribing and selling herbs
• Understands protocol and standards for the management of herbal pharmacy.
• Conducts the medical history needed for planning and delivering an herbal treatment.
• Acquires and interprets significant clinical information in light of herbal therapy.
• Record thorough and accurate nutritional information as an integral part of a patient case record
• Recommends foods to add and foods to remove from a diet based upon TCM energetics

Phase 5 Oriental Medicine Internship Performance objectives:

• Independently plan and deliver an herbal treatment.
• Acquires and interprets significant clinical information in light of herbal therapy.
• Demonstrates ability to modify a formula for specific circumstances
• Recognizes when to choose patent, prepared or crude herb formulas
• Provide nutritional counseling and education for health promotion, maintenance, and treatment
• Have the ability to integrate TCM and nutrition into a comprehensive, holistic treatment plan
• Have the ability to make appropriate referrals to allied health professionals.