| 1. Employment Profile: What exactly do you do? |
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 What field is your job in?
Alternative/Complementary Health Care
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What is your job title?
Licensed Acupuncturist
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Please provide a brief description of the firm or organization that you currently work for
(size and general description of what type of organization it is)
I am both self employed and a contract employee at a chiropractor's office. In my private practice, I am the only employee. The chiropractor's office has 3 chiropractors, an office manager, 4 massage therapists.
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How long have you been employed in this position?
Self employed for 3 years, contract employee for 1 year.
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How many hours do you work a week on average?
30-40
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Please provide a BRIEF description of your duties and responsibilities. (job description)
Initial patient intake (health history), develop treatment plan, treat patient with acupuncture. Return phone calls, order supplies, bookkeeping, laundry.
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What was your gross income in 2007? Please include any bonuses or incentives received.
$29,000
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What is your expected gross income for 2008? Please include any bonuses or incentives you expect to receive.
$50,000
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Please list any benefits you have (Please include number of weeks vacation, sick leave and type of health insurance, retirement plan 401k)
self employed - I run my business as I see fit, set my own schedule. No medical/dental coverage.
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Do you feel you are under/well/over compensated at your current position?
I set my own fees, so I am pretty well compensated.
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| 2. Work environment! |
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Does your job entail you working with others on a daily basis? Is this something you like/dislike about your job? Explain
I work with my patients on a daily basis. When I am at the chiropractor's office, I interact with the office manager, chiropractors, and massage therapists. I enjoy the interaction. I don't have to answer to anyone other than my patients and myself which I like.
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Do you work collaboratively with supervisors/managers?
No
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Do you work collaboratively with your co-workers?
No
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Describe your work location (e.g., office, home, theatre, in the field) and what you like/dislike about working in it
My private practice in the same office as a massage therapist. It is open, spacious, and calming. It's a great environment. The chiropractor's office is also nice, but a little more medical in nature. I enjoy that office for the people more than the building itself.
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Please rank in order of importance from 1-8 (1- most important 8- least important) Assign each number once.
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3 Income
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4 Work Environment - co-workers
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6 Work Environment - supervisors
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7 Benefits
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2 Hours
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5 Level of responsibility
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1 The actual "work" you do at your job
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8 Job Title
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3. How should someone new to the workforce get a J-O-B like yours?
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If someone wanted to go about getting a job similar to yours, what would you recommend for him or her to do?
Be prepared to be self employed. A lot of acupuncturists would rather have a job for someone with a salary and benefits, but it doesn't happen as often as most of us would like.
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What skills do you think a person should have if they want to pursue a position like yours? Please be specific and explain why (e.g., social skills, organization skills, technical skills)
A true love for acupuncture. During (and after) school, learn about running a business. When first starting out, patience is important.
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Do you feel that you need a certain level of education or training to be successful in your job?
The minimum requirement currently is a Masters degree.
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What advice would you give to someone who was about to start work in your position/ line of work?
Be patient. The practice will grow over time. Enjoy what you do and don't get discouraged.
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| 4. How did you get your J-O-B |
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How did you find your current job? (e.g. newspaper, internet, referral, etc.)
Sent my professional information out to massage therapists, chiropractors, hospitals, and doctor's offices.
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What was the application process for your job? (e.g. submitted resume, paper application, electronic application, all, etc.)
Submitted resume, waited for a call or e-mail.
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Did you have to interview for your current job? If yes, what did the interview process entail? (e.g., number of interviews, who you interviewed with, group interview, individual interview, etc.)
Sort of. I went in to see the office for my private practice, discussed cost of renting space, days the room was available, and general behavior guidlines. For the chiropractor's office, it was similar, but instead of rent, we discussed pay.
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If you can remember, what questions were you asked at your interview?
Don't remember specifics.
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Is this the job / field you planned to work in?
Yes
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If your job is in a different field from your original plan how did you get here? Explain (Plan can be from high school/college/post college/personal plan)
n/a.
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| 5. Background: Are you qualified? |
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Was there training for your current position? If yes, what did it entail?
Yes. It is a combined Bachelors and Masters degree in Oriental Medicine. After the required undergraduate credits to get into the school, the school takes 3-4 years.
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Do you feel your employer properly prepared you for your job? Explain
n/a
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Do you feel your educational background prepared you for your job? Explain
Yes. I spent a lot of time while in school treating patients in the clinic. The course work and clinic work combined to give me a strong foundation.
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If applicable, do you feel your internship experience helped you prepare you for your job?
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Name of School |
GPA |
Type of Degree |
Graduation Date |
| High School |
N/A |
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N/A |
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| College |
LFCC
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3.54
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Chemistry
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transferred
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| Graduate School |
Southwest Acupuncture College
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3.5
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Master of Science in Oriental Medicine
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July 2003
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Starting with the most recent, please list your last two positions/jobs before your CURRENT POSITION. If you have held internships or volunteer positions, please include those in the count. If you require more space, please use it.
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Type of Company |
Job Title |
Length of Employment |
Salary (with bonus) |
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Bank
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Temp.Receptionist
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3 months
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$ 1200/mo
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Description of Job
Answer phones, greet customers, etc.
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Type of Company |
Job Title |
Length of Employment |
Salary (with bonus) |
| 2. |
Hospital
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Temp. Medical Records clerk
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3 months
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$1100/mo
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Description of Job
Answer phones, direct mail, enter requests for records.
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| 6. The Future and Beyond (FINAL SECTION) |
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If someone were to observe you at work, what would he or she say is “fun” about your job?
I get to joke around with my patients, put needles in people, and make people feel better.
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What is (are) the most fulfilling aspect(s) and least fulfilling aspect(s) of your current employment? (e.g. fiscal, spiritual, type of work, hours, commute, compensation, etc.)
Most fulfilling: I love my work, my patients, I get paid what I set the fees at. I don't have a boss. Least fulfilling: I do commute and dislike it. I don't have the security of an employee with sick/vacation days and benefits.
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Is your current employment part of your career plan? Why or why not?
Yes. I love my work. I don't want to do any other line of work.
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What are your current career goals? (Can be broad or specific)
Consolidate my offices. I don't want to commute as much, but I want my practice to grow.
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Is there anything else you would like to share about your career?
Be prepared to be questioned about being an acupuncturist. Be prepared for skeptics.
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