Overview
Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists assess, treat and prevent diseases, conditions, disorders or imbalances of patients' using various forms of treatment including acupuncture, herbology or other holistic health approaches. They usually work in private practice, including group or team practices, clinics, extended care facilities, rehabilitation centres and health clubs.
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners
Diagnose within the framework of Traditional Chinese Medicine the diseases, physiological disorders and injuries of patients
Explain procedures, risks and benefits of treatments to patients
Prescribe and administer treatment such as acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), scraping (Gua Sha), cupping therapy, moxibustion, acupressure, and auriculotherapy
May prescribe and administer Chinese manipulative therapy (Tui Na), energy control therapy (Qi Gong) and laser therapy
May suggest home care instructions and provide information about life therapies including energy control therapy (Qi Gong), Chinese shadow boxing (Tai Ji Quan) and Chinese food cure recipes (Shi Liao)
Maintain patient records
Prescribe and administer treatment using raw or granule herbs and other medicines or dietary supplements
May collaborate with other health care professionals such as physiotherapists, chiropractors, physicians and psychologists when developing treatment plans for patients.
Acupuncturists
Diagnose symptoms, imbalances, physiological disorders and injuries of patients according to Chinese medicine traditions
Educate patients on risks and benefits of treatments
Develop and implement treatment plans including acupuncture acupressure, moxibustion, cupping, scraping or electrical current
Evaluate and document patients' progress
May provide dietary and lifestyle advice including information on life therapies such as energy control therapy (Qi Gong)
May develop treatment plans in collaboration with other health care professionals.
Employment prospects
Annual salary
$35,592
$35,592
$71,000
Job openings
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Strong job outlook
British Columbia
295expected job openings (5-year forecast)
Education and training
Employment requirements
Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners usually require completion of a four- to five-year diploma program in traditional Chinese medicine from a private institute or completion of a program in traditional Chinese medicine from recognized medical schools abroad.
Registration with a regulatory body is required for traditional Chinese medicine practitioners in Ontario and British Columbia, which includes completion of an approved registration examination.
Acupuncturists usually require completion of a three- to four-year diploma program in acupuncture from a private institute or completion of some university undergraduate studies in science and training in a related health care discipline or work experience under the supervision of a registered acupuncturist.
Certification requirements
Mandatory: You need the following certification to practice as Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists in B.C.
- Registration with the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of British Columbia
Registration with the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of British Columbia
Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification. To practice as a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner in B.C., must to register with the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of British Columbia. Eligibility is achieved by completing a recognized education program in B.C., gaining two years of liberal arts or sciences study, writing registration examinations, and gaining standard first aid and CPR-C certifications.
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