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HealthcareISCO 2230

Traditional chinese medicine therapist

A traditional Chinese medicine therapist is a person who applies the methods of traditional Chinese medicine, using therapies such as herbal preparations, acupuncture, massage and dietary therapy with the aim of supporting a client's general health.

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Rate 5 of the 23 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

counsel healthcare users on medicines

empathise with the healthcare user

monitor patients' progress related to treatment

maintain work area cleanliness

identify customer's needs

About traditional chinese medicine therapist

The therapist observes the healthcare user, monitors their state of health, and assesses it according to the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, which differ from those of biomedicine.

On that basis, herbal preparations are selected and prepared, acupuncture and massage are applied, and dietary advice is given; the therapist also builds a therapeutic relationship with the client. Clients are advised about the preparations they are given, including what they must not be combined with.

Knowledge of human physiology and of biomedicine belongs to the training, and it is what allows a therapist to recognise what is outside their scope. The therapist also promotes mental health. Traditional Chinese medicine is a complementary practice, its effectiveness is not established for most conditions by the standards of evidence-based medicine, and a client with a condition requiring medical diagnosis or treatment has to be referred to a doctor. Its regulation differs widely between countries.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (23)

pathologies treated by acupuncturepathologies treated by acupunctureThe types and range of conditions such as physical pain, head aches, back pain, allergies, addictions, digestive problems or cold, which are treated by acupuncture.biomedicinebiomedicineThe study of the human body in relation to medicine and the environment. This includes the applications and practices involved in biological and natural sciences.traditional Chinese medicinetraditional Chinese medicineTheories of traditional Chinese medical practices that put emphasis on various mind and body practices, as well as herbal medicine to treat or prevent various health problems.phytotherapyphytotherapyThe characteristics, the effects and the use of herbal medicines.human physiologyhuman physiologyThe science that studies the human organs and its interactions and mechanisms.human anatomyhuman anatomyThe dynamic relationship of human structure and function and the muscosceletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, urinary, reproductive, integumentary and nervous systems; normal and ...pathologypathologyThe components of a disease, the cause, mechanisms of development, morphologic changes, and the clinical consequences of those changes.counsel healthcare users on medicinescounsel healthcare users on medicinesDiscuss and agree with healthcare users on the appropriate use of medicines, providing the healthcare user with sufficient information to assure the safe and proper use of the medicine.empathise with the healthcare userempathise with the healthcare userUnderstand the background of clients` and patients’ symptoms, difficulties and behaviour. Be empathetic about their issues; showing respect and reinforcing their autonomy, self-esteem and independence...monitor patients' progress related to treatmentmonitor patients' progress related to treatmentObserve and report on healthcare users' response to medical treatment, monitoring their progress or decay on a daily basis and modifying the treatment procedures whenever necessary.maintain work area cleanlinessmaintain work area cleanlinessKeep the working area and equipment clean and orderly.identify customer's needsidentify customer's needsUse appropriate questions and active listening in order to identify customer expectations, desires and requirements according to product and services.develop therapeutic relationshipsdevelop therapeutic relationshipsMaintain the individual therapeutic relationship to engage the individual's innate healing capacities, to achieve active collaboration in the health education and healing process and to maximise the p...advise on healthy lifestylesadvise on healthy lifestylesPromote healthy lifestyles, preventive measures and self-care by strengthening empowerment, promoting health and enhancing behaviours and therapeutic compliance, providing patients with the adequate i...follow-up on healthcare users' treatmentfollow-up on healthcare users' treatmentReview and evaluate the progress of the prescribed treatment, taking further decisions with the healthcare users and their carers.listen activelylisten activelyGive attention to what other people say, patiently understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; able to listen carefully the needs of cus...observe healthcare usersobserve healthcare usersObserve healthcare users and record significant conditions and reactions to drugs, treatments, and significant incidents, notifying a supervisor or physician when required.promote mental healthpromote mental healthPromote factors that enhance emotional well-being such as self-acceptance, personal growth, purpose in life, control of one`s environment, spirituality, self-direction and positive relationships.ensure safety of healthcare usersensure safety of healthcare usersMake sure that healthcare users are being treated professionally, effectively and safe from harm, adapting techniques and procedures according to the person's needs, abilities or the prevailing condit...apply context specific clinical competencesapply context specific clinical competencesApply professional and evidence based assessment, goal setting, delivery of intervention and evaluation of clients, taking into account the developmental and contextual history of the clients, within ...monitor patient's health conditionmonitor patient's health conditionFrequently examine the mental or physical health condition of a patient, monitor the use of medication and report on their condition to your superiors or to the patient's family.refer healthcare usersrefer healthcare usersMake referrals to other professionals, based on the healthcare user's requirements and needs, especially when recognising that additional healthcare diagnostics or interventions are required.apply massage therapyapply massage therapyApply massage therapy to relieve patient's pain by using various specialised techniques.
Optional (15) — show
complementary and alternative medicinecomplementary and alternative medicineMedical practices which are not part of the standard care in healthcare.general medicinegeneral medicineGeneral medicine is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.pharmacologypharmacologyPharmacology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.composition of dietscomposition of dietsThe planning, selection, composition and manufacturing of diets for healthy and ill persons.sterilization techniquessterilization techniquesThe methods and techniques used to destroy or remove microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria that can contaminate medical instruments or any type of material in a health care setting.relaxation techniquesrelaxation techniquesThe various methods and techniques used to alleviate stress and bring peace and relaxation to the body and mind. This includes activities such as yoga, qigong or t`ai chi.auriculotherapyauriculotherapyAlternative medicine therapy which has as its basis the idea that the ear is a microsystem which represents the entire body. Thus the physical, mental or emotional health conditions can be treated fro...acupuncture methodsacupuncture methodsTechniques and methods used to normalise the flow of Qi energy in the body for relieving pain and related symptoms by applying various specific types of needles into different acupuncture points.educate on the prevention of illnesseducate on the prevention of illnessOffer evidence-based advice on how to avoid ill health, educate and advise individuals and their carers on how to prevent ill health and/or be able to advise how to improve their environment and healt...select acupuncture pointsselect acupuncture pointsBased on the examination of the patient and his/hers symptoms, decide on which acupuncture points to be stimulated and with what technique.develop long-term treatment course for disorders in the glandular systemdevelop long-term treatment course for disorders in the glandular systemDevelop a long-term treatment course for the patient suffering from disorders in the glandular system, monitoring the patient regularly or as required, to determine whether there is improvement after ...address side effects of menopauseaddress side effects of menopauseAddress side effects of menopause such as fatigue, body temperature changes, mood swings, depression and weight gain. Search for symptoms of health problems that can be caused by menopause, such as he...apply acupunctureapply acupunctureUse procedures involving the stimulation of anatomical points on the body by a variety of techniques, such as penetrating the skin with thin, metallic needles manipulated by the hands or by electrical...provide health educationprovide health educationProvide evidence based strategies to promote healthy living, disease prevention and management.carry out preventative internal medicine interventionscarry out preventative internal medicine interventionsRecommend to patients, depending on their condition, preventive and therapeutic treatments such as the use of medications, lifestyle changes, modification of addictive behaviours, physical therapies, ...

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Frequently asked questions

What does a traditional chinese medicine therapist do?

Traditional Chinese medicine therapists use alternative medicine approaches to cure illnesses in all its forms. They also use various therapies such as the use of herbal medicines, acupuncture, massages and dietary therapies, to increase the general health of the patient and to prevent a disease from occurring.

What skills does a traditional chinese medicine therapist need?

A traditional chinese medicine therapist needs 23 essential skills, including pathologies treated by acupuncture, biomedicine, traditional Chinese medicine, phytotherapy, human physiology.

Will AI replace traditional chinese medicine therapist jobs?

The AI disruption score for traditional chinese medicine therapist is 14/100 (very low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: biomedicine, maintain work area cleanliness, observe healthcare users. Most resilient: empathise with the healthcare user, develop therapeutic relationships, acupuncture methods.

Quick Facts

SectorHealthcare
ISCO GroupHealth professionals
Essential Skills23

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