Department of Clinical Training

Clinic Orientation
CT574 3.0 credits
This course provides an introduction to clinical practice and the responsibilities of working with patients in a health care setting as an independent practitioner. The topics covered are: ACTCM clinical policies, and procedures, guidelines and standards for the clean and safe practice of acupuncture, communicable diseases, clean field procedures, professional conduct, clinical training requirements, California Acupuncture Board, ACAOM, OSHA and HIPPA requirements and regulations, history taking, charting, and use of herbal dispensary. (Prerequisites CM516, CT576, WM400, WM500. This course is offered on a Pass/Fail basis.)

Asepsis and Patient Complications
CT576 0.5 credit
This course examines clean needle technique, blood-borne pathogens, disinfection and patient complications that can result from the practice of acupuncture. (Pre/Co-requisite: AT521; This course is offered on a Pass/Fail basis.)

Clinic Theater A & B/Observation I
CT578, 579 4.0 credits
For two consecutive quarters, students observe real-life patient care as provided by an ACTCM clinic supervisor. Students observe the interaction between patient and practitioner, including: patient intake, differential diagnosis, points and herbal prescriptions, bedside manner, time management, and OSHA and HIPPA requirements. Students may be asked to assist on occasion with certain tasks such as filling out needle slips, preparing the treatment setting, maintaining a clean field, and gathering equipment such as cups, electrical stimulation machines, moxa, etc. (Prerequisites for CT578: WM400, AT521; Prequesite for CT579: CT578; These courses are offered on a Pass/Fail basis.)

Clinic Observation II
CT580, 581 4.0 credits
These two courses allow students to continue observing patient care in the college’s clinic. Students take a more active role in the patient’s wellness process by assisting the attending practitioner. Students continue to observe the patient’s greeting and intake, pulse palpation, tongue and face inspection, diagnosis and treatment, charting, and the aseptic procedures within the clinic setting. Students also have the opportunity to practice case analysis and develop treatment strategies involving point selection and herbal formulas. (Prerequisites for CT580: CT574, CT579. Students must possess a current CPR/First Aid card. Prerequisite for CT581: CT580. These courses are offered on a Pass/Fail basis.)

Clinic Trainee I
CT582, 583 4.0 credits
In these two clinical courses, students begin to transition from observing patients to treating them under the direct supervision of a clinical supervisor, who is physically present to observe all patient interactions. Students are responsible for greeting the patient, explaining their role, taking a history and formulating a diagnosis. They also propose to the supervisor a combination of acupuncture points, a specific herbal formula, and other adjunctive therapies that might be useful. After the clinical supervisor reviews the diagnosis and approves the treatment strategy, the student clinician treats the patient under direct supervision. (Prerequisites for CT582: CT581, AT537. Note: CT582 and CT583 may be taken concurrently. These courses are offered on a Pass/Fail basis.)

Clinic Trainee II
CT584, 585 4.0 credits
In these two clinical courses, student clinicians develop a higher level of autonomy by assuming more responsibility for the clinical process. Under direct supervision of the clinical supervisor, students conduct the clinical intake, diagnosis, charting and treatment of patients. (Prerequisite for CT584: CT583. Note: CT584 and CT585 may be taken concurrently. These courses are offered on a Pass/Fail basis.)

Clinic Trainee III
CT588, 589 4.0 credits
During these two clinical courses, student clinicians continue to develop and refine the skills practiced in CT584 and CT585, and assume additional responsibilities at the discretion of the attending clinical supervisor. The clinical supervisor continues to be physically present in the treatment room during diagnosis and treatment of patients, approves the entire treatment, and provides guidance as needed. This phase of clinical studies is the preparation for the paired intern phase, when students function with greater autonomy in caring for patients. (Prerequisite for CT588: CT585. Note: CT588 and CT589 may be taken concurrently. These courses are offered on a Pass/Fail basis.)

Clinic Paired Intern
CT686, 687 4.0 credits
Working in pairs, students are responsible for greeting the patient, explaining their role, taking a medical history, developing a diagnosis, and proposing to the clinical supervisor an acupuncture point combination, an herbal remedy and/or other adjunct therapies such as massage. The student team is then responsible for discussing the treatment plan with the patient and administering the treatment, including filling the herbal formula. Before the student team initiates the treatment, the clinical supervisor examines the patient and reviews the diagnosis and treatment plan; he or she also observes the insertion of the acupuncture needles and other procedures to ensure proper treatment. (Prerequisites for CT686: CT589. Note: CT686 and CT687 may be taken concurrently. CT577 must be taken prior to or concurrently with CT686. These courses are offered on a Pass/Fail basis.)

Clinic Intern I
CT688, 689 4.0 credits
During these two clinical courses, students progress from working in pairs to assuming individual responsibility for patients. The student intern greets the patient, explains his or her role, takes a history, and proposes to the clinical supervisor a prescription of acupuncture points, an herbal remedy and/or other adjunct therapies such as cupping, moxabustion or massage. The student is also responsible for discussing the treatment plan with the patient, administering the complete treatment, and filling the herbal formula. Before the student initiates the treatment, the clinical supervisor examines the patient, and reviews the diagnosis and treatment plan; he or she also observes the insertion of the acupuncture needles and other procedures as needed to ensure proper treatment. (Prerequisite for CT688: CT687 and passage of the 2nd Level Point Location Practical Exam. Note: CT688 and CT689 may be taken concurrently. These courses are offered on a Pass/Fail basis.)

Clinic Intern II
CT691, 692, 693 6.0 credits
These three clinical courses are designed to further increase the student intern’s level of autonomy and confidence as he or she moves to the next level and assumes a greater range of clinical responsibilities. Students continue to treat patients individually and handle the complete treatment process under the supervision of clinical supervisors, who observe and provide guidance as necessary. (Prerequisite for CT691: CT689. Note: CT691, CT692 and CT693 may be taken concurrently. These courses are offered on a Pass/Fail basis.)

Clinic Intern III
CT694, 695, 696 6.0 credits
These three clinical courses represent the final phase of the clinical internship. Student interns reach a higher level of knowledge, ability and independence as clinicians while continuing to assume the complete range of treatment responsibilities under the supervision of a clinic faculty member. This phase of training culminates in student interns achieving the level of clinical ability and independence appropriate for entry into the profession. (Prerequisite for CT694: CT693. Note: CT 694, CT695 and CT696 may be taken concurrently. These courses are offered on a Pass/Fail basis.)