These professionals create and carry out therapeutic actions with healing purposes based on acupuncture and techniques of the Chinese traditional medicine with the aim of achieving improvements in the processes of physical and psychical recovery of people with clear pathologies. These therapeutic actions may be specific activities but also extra activities within the framework of a more generic health programme.

Acupuncture involves the insertion of needles into different parts of the body with the aim of release the obstructions of the energy fields and balance the body meridians.

• Write the patient medical record or interpret his or her diagnosis in order to establish the programme and specifically direct acupuncture sessions. Examine a patient and diagnose his or her problems, based on the principles of acupuncture (energy fields and meridians), using terms in Pinyin (energy flows) and standard nomenclature for acupuncturists.
  If he/she is a health professional, interpret and utilise other diagnostic systems and medical history provided by the patient, from the perspective of other medicines. Evaluate also the effectiveness of other treatments performed on the patient beforehand.
  Identify and determine, for all symptoms discussed, the causal factors involved in the onset of the disorder, according to the principles of traditional Chinese medicine.
• Design individually, or with other professionals, a personalised treatment and therapy for the patient's problems or condition in an attempt to improve the patient's physical and mental recovery processes, based on treatment choices of acupuncture.
  Perform preparatory work on the patient prior to the acupuncture session (relaxation, proper location of the body, etc.).
  Conduct acupuncture sessions by inserting punctures with the therapeutic needles on those points of the body related to the causes of the pathology.
• Clinically monitor patients' progress.
  Modify and make changes to the initial work plan, based on the results of the acupuncture sessions.
• Care for and ensure that therapy tools and instruments used in work sessions and the equipment in the work area are maintained in perfect conditions of maintenance, hygiene and cleanliness.
• Perform disinfection and hygiene tasks specifically for work instruments and physical equipment.
• Undergo specialisation and enhancement courses on innovations in acupuncture practice.

Regulated training and graduates

Acupuncture is not part of any regulated training, but rather skills are obtained through ongoing training including associate's and/or bachelor's degrees in Health Science.

Decree 31/2007, of the Health Department, pending implementation, establishes specific training requirements for professional practice and for training of a minimum of 300 hours provided by a previously accredited institution.

There is training which exists outside of regulated training that grants qualifications in acupuncture; however, it has no academic validity.

• Grau: Fisioteràpia
• Grau: Infermeria
• Grau: Medicina

Complementary training

Other specific skills

Analytical thought: Level 2

Flexibility and change management: Level 2

Empathy: Level 3

Communication: Level 2

Customer orientation: Level 2

Healthcare

Working to maintain and improve health, as well as physical and mental well-being, is the primary interest of people who are involved in the field of healthcare. Some of the activities in this field include making diagnoses, prescribing treatments and monitoring illnesses and injuries. These activities also include the application of therapeutic treatments (traditional or alternative) with a view to facilitating the physical recovery of those being treated. To carry out these activities, one must have in-depth knowledge of the human body and medicine, in its various specialisations.

Social community worker

Individuals related to the social/community field have an interest in working to improve people's social well-being and quality of life, as well as enhance their integration into their social, family and/or work environment. The professional activities that are common in this field include providing special support and aid to people at risk of social exclusion, designing programmes and implementing resources for the social and cultural stimulation of an area, and acting as mediators for conflict resolution in family, social or interpersonal environments. These activities involve constant interaction with people in order to improve their psychological and social well-being.

Physical well-being and personal image

People related to the field of physical well-being and personal image are interested in carrying out activities aimed at the care, maintenance and improvement of one's image and physical condition. These activities entail personal contact with the client, offering a service that takes into account their needs, as well as their tastes and preferences. Activities that represent this field include advising and the application of aesthetic, cosmetic and physical treatments.

Naturopath

Osteopath

Homeopath

Palliative care specialist

Natural therapeutic specialist

• Work hours

  Full time, with the possibility of rotating shifts and weekend work.

• Salary

  Depending on qualifcations and academic degree, gross annual salary between 30,000 and 36,000 euros.

• Other features

• Professional category

  Technician

• Human resources and equipment

  Purchased or leased workspace equipped for treatment sessions.

• Initial investments

  Surgical and health-related infrastructures and equipment.