This course involves observation of various aspects as a senior practitioner treats patients in the classroom setting. Students gain an overall picture of patient reception, record keeping, examination, treatment methods, and herbal prescription.

In the “watching and following” stage of clinical practice, students observe senior practitioners as they diagnose and treat patients in the Community Clinic. Case studies in each session discuss various aspects related to patient care, including diagnosis, treatment principles, point selection, needling techniques and precautions, and herbal formulas. Students write progress reports, reports of findings, and letters of necessity for patients they observe.

In the “watching and following” stage of clinical practice, students observe senior practitioners as they diagnose and treat patients in the Community Clinic. Case studies in each session discuss various aspects related to patient care, including diagnosis, treatment principles, point selection, needling techniques and precautions, and herbal formulas. Students write progress reports, reports of findings, and letters of necessity for patients they observe.

During this portion of the Observation series, students apprentice with third-year student interns and assist them with the treatment and care of the Community Clinic’s patients while preparing for the Pre-Intern Competency Examination. Students also practice on each other doing intakes, making diagnoses, formulating treatment plans, and performing acupuncture under the guidance of Clinic faculty.

Students begin their internship series by interviewing patients, developing diagnosis and treatment plans, and administering treatment alongside clinical faculty. Particular attention is paid to proper examination, diagnosis, point location, needling technique, and the preparation of herbal prescriptions.

In the intermediate and advanced stages of clinical internship, students assume more active roles in diagnosis and treatment. Although supervisors are physically present during needling and continue to assist interns in developing and refining their techniques, interns are expected to take responsibility for monitoring their patients’ progress, developing and adjusting treatment plans, and accurately recording patient chart information

Student Interns work in the herbal dispensary to increase knowledge and familiarity with herb categories, identification, function of herbs, and formula preparation, including dosages, modifications of formulas. In addition, student interns assist in patient education of the proper usage of herbal preparations. Interns spend time in the herbal dispensary filling raw, powdered and tablet/pill prescriptions for clinic patients. Interns learn how to stock and inventory herb products.

This course series finalizes the clinical internship. It consists of three (3)shifts in the Clinic. Interns interview patients, develop diagnosis and treatment plans, and administer treatment alongside a clinic supervisor. Emphasis for this series is placed on asepsis, proper examination, diagnosis, point location, and needling technique. The student begins to become more independent, developing skills for treatment of patients. Clinical Supervisors are available during needling of patients and are available to assist the Intern with treatment techniques.

This course series builds on the skills attained in the previous levels of clinical internship, incorporating the additional doctoral level competencies which enable the integrative practitioner to utilize the full scope of practice of the licensed acupuncturist, including ordering and interpreting lab work and diagnostic imaging, giving effective nutrition advice and exercise counseling, collaborating with various types of practitioners in patient care and incorporating scholarship, research, evidence-based and functional medicine into practice. Clinical supervisors are available for consultation during the intake and treatment of patients.

This course series builds on the skills attained in the previous levels of clinical internship, incorporating the additional doctoral level competencies which enable the integrative practitioner to utilize the full scope of practice of the licensed acupuncturist, including ordering and interpreting lab work and diagnostic imaging, giving effective nutrition advice and exercise counseling, collaborating with various types of practitioners in patient care and incorporating scholarship, research, evidence-based and functional medicine into practice. Clinical supervisors are available for consultation during the intake and treatment of patients.