Clinical Competencies to be Achieved During Internship

Phase 1 Internship Performance Objectives:

• 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 observing and participating in pulse, tongue, and palpation exam
• 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 patterns differentiation and selection of point combinations

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 a treatment plan and evaluate its efficacy
• Demonstrates skill in insertion and manipulation technique
• Completes thorough and accurate documentation: SOAP notes, history, etc.
• Displays accuracy in knowledge of point location without consulting texts and charts
• Demonstrates critical thinking in creation of a comprehensive acupuncture careplan
• Demonstrates awareness of nutrition in health, vitality, and resistance to illness
• Makes appropriate referrals to allied health professionals

Phase 4 Oriental Medicine Internship Performance Objectives:

• Coordinates acupuncture, herb and nutrition therapy
• Compounds and dispenses formulas in an herbal pharmacy
• Understands protocol and standards for the management of an 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
• Makes nutritional recommendations as an integral part of a patient caseplan
• Recommends foods to add and foods to remove from a diet based upon TCM energetics

Phase 5 Oriental Medicine Internship Performance objectives:

• Independently plans and delivers an herbal treatment
• Demonstrates ability to modify a formula for specific circumstances
• Recognizes when to choose patent, prepared or crude herb formulas o Makes nutritional recommendations for health promotion, maintenance, and treatment
• Integrates all TCM modalities and nutrition into a comprehensive, holistic treatment plan
• Makes appropriate referrals to allied health professionals