Clinical Training for Acupuncturists at NYCTCM

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NYCTCM offers clinical training at four sites--at the Mineola campus and NYCTCM Manhattan Center clinics, at the Health & Wellness Center of SUNY Farmingdale, and at Gouverneur Healthcare Services, an urban hospital serving Lower Manhattan. The Mineola clinic contains a complete herbal dispensary with a state-of-the-art quality control system.

This series of clinical practice levels includes Clinical Observation, Clinical Assistantship, Junior Internship and Senior Internship. Before starting the Junior Internship, in Trimester 5 or 6 of the Acupuncture Program, or Trimester 6 or 7 of the Oriental Medicine Program, the student will have to take a Clinic Entrance Examination. In addition, before embarking on their Senior Internships, all students will have to pass a Clinical Skills Assessment Test and OM students will have to pass a test on herbal formulas.

CLINICAL OBSERVATION

This level of clinical practice provides an orientation to the acupuncture clinic and herbal pharmacy. During the observation period, students observe interns as they conduct patient interviews, take the pulse and examine the tongue, make a diagnosis, and carry out an acupuncture and/or herbal treatment. In addition, Oriental Medicine students learn herbal dispensary skills in the herbal clinic. A minimum of 165 treatment observations are required by the end of the 150 clock-hour clinic observation period.

CLINICAL ASSISTANTSHIP

Clinical Assistantship consists of a total of 60 hours. The students assist the acupuncturist in some minor procedures such as cupping, moxibustion, massage and other non-invasive TCM techniques. Assistants may also assist the acupuncturist to withdraw the needles and help to chart the points on the patient's file. In the herbal clinic, OM students continue improving their herbal dispensary skills in the herbal clinic.

JUNIOR INTERNSHIP

The Junior Internship period is 240 hours for students in the Acupuncture Program, and 300 hours for students in the Oriental Medicine Program (180 hours for Acupuncture Program graduates returning to pursue the OM degree). Junior Interns may treat patients in the clinic, but only under very close supervision of the Clinic Supervisor.

SENIOR INTERNSHIP

This is the highest level internship and consists of 270 hours of practice for students in the Acupuncture Program and 330 hours of practice for students in the Oriental Medicine Program (180 hours for Acupuncture Program graduates returning to pursue the OM degree). Senior Interns may diagnose and treat patients with approval of the supervisor. 250 patient treatments are required during the period of Junior and Senior Internship for Acupuncture Program students, 350 patient treatments for OM Program students, and 150 patient treatments for graduates of the Acupuncture Program returning to pursue the OM degree.

GRAND ROUNDS

As an adjunct to the clinical training component of the program, each year students must attend two Grand Rounds conducted by NYCTCM faculty. During these sessions, faculty present interesting or difficult cases and demonstrate appropriate treatment techniques.

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