Does Acupuncture count as "Health Care Experience?"

[zoopeda]

Dear All,

 

I earned an MS in Oriental Medicine from an accredited college. The actual clinical training ("internship") portion of the program included about 1000 hours of hands-on direct-patient exposure (under supervision of a health care professional: LAc, MD, or ND on each shift). Since graduating, I've maintained a part time acupuncture practice that includes (mainly): performing acu treatments, massage, nutritional and lifestyle counseling, and herbs. I realize such practice lies outside the typical scope of mainstream medical experience, so I'd like to know if either my training and/or subsequent private practice as an acupuncturist count toward the Health Care Experience (1000-2000 hours) requirement. Or would this be considered, school by school, on a case basis?

 

Thank you!

[GatorRRT]

Training typically doesn't count towards HCE. As for your experience counting, call a few programs you are interested in to find out.

[whatevs]

Yes, it should. Did for me at least.

[zoopeda]

What schools accepted this experience? And did your training years count too?

[rev ronin]

One of my colleagues at Pacific had such a background. She did fine.

[primadonna22274]

Your acupuncture & alternative medicine experience certainly qualifies as direct patient care. Your training time likely will not.