Results of the Job Task Analysis for AOM Profession

Monday, November 8th, 2010

(Jacksonville, FL) – The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), with assistance from Schroeder Measurement Technologies, has conducted the only national Job Task Analysis (JTA) survey of the acupuncture and Oriental medicine (AOM) profession with final results available via the NCCAOM website, www.nccaom.org. The primary purpose of the Job Task Analysis is to provide a framework for the future of the NCCAOM certification examinations, which serve as gateway and prerequisite for entry-level practice of acupuncture and Oriental medicine in the United States. The results of the JTA are utilized to create an examination that accurately reflects the field of acupuncture and Oriental medicine through the proper development of the content of each certification examination. Since the field of AOM is evolving all the time, it is extremely important to continually review and update the content of the examinations.

In addition to assuring that the content for NCCAOM certification examinations is based on current practice, the JTA also provides a snapshot of the profession of AOM as it is being practiced today. As a result, the NCCAOM is gathering additional practice data to assist with efforts to promote the recognition of acupuncture as an independent occupation by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics.

One of the outcomes of the 2008 JTA was launching of the new 2010 NCCAOM Examination Study Guides in January 2010 for each of it certification program with an update to each examination content outline featured in each study guide. Content decisions for the examination content outlines are directly linked to the results of the JTA. Best practice in validation of examination content is to perform a JTA a minimum of every five years. This report serves to provide the examination content validity verification for the years 2009 though 2013. According to Dr. Kory Ward-Cook, Chief Executive Officer of the NCCAOM, the foundation of a valid, reliable, and legally defensible professional certification program is first the result of a well-constructed JTA. “The JTA report additionally serves as a useful resource for AOM community leaders and for policy makers concerned with public safety in the realm of AOM,” stated Dr. Ward-Cook. Some potential uses for validation of these competencies are as follows:

To track changes in the job tasks performed by professional acupuncturists and practitioners of Oriental medicine, Chinese herbologists and Asian bodywork therapists over time.
To provide information on competencies to AOM educational institutes as their faculty plan and develop curricula for entry-level and advanced professional training.
To inform state association leaders and regulators who enter into discussions concerning changes in state regulations and scope of practice.
To provide the AOM community leaders, federal agencies and the public with a snapshot of current demographic parameters and practice characteristics of Diplomates of Acupuncture, Chinese Herbology, Oriental Medicine and Asian Bodywork Therapy.

For a detailed summary of the report and conclusion of results, please visit www.nccaom.org.

“The mission of the NCCAOM is to establish, assess, and promote recognized standards of competence and safety in acupuncture and Oriental medicine for the protection and benefit of the public.”