Career Center

Summary

The Health Technician - Massage Therapy provides massage therapy that requires the application of knowledge of therapeutic massage concepts - principles - and practices - and encompasses a large variety of modalities from Western and Eastern traditions. Massage Therapy promotes circulation of blood and lymph - relieves muscle tension - and can induce a general relaxation response - alleviate pain and anxiety - promote sleep - reduce stress - and enhance the general sense of wellness.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• English Language Proficiency: Individuals appointed under the authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 7 4 - to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA - must be proficient in written and spoken English
• See Chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a - this part
• Education: Candidates must complete a minimum 500-hour massage therapy education program
• Licensure - Registration - or Certification: Candidates must be currently licensed - registered - or certified to practice as a massage therapist in a state - territory - or Commonwealth of the United States - or the District of Columbia
• Acceptable credentials must have required successful completion of a minimum 500-hour massage therapy education program and pass the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination - National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork Examination - or equivalent state-issued examination OR Candidates must possess and maintain a board certification from the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB)
• NOTE: As of the date of this standard (04/12/2019) - several states do not offer a credential in massage therapy
• Additionally - some states offer a credential that does not meet the 500-hour education program and/or state-issued examination requirements described above
• Candidates may satisfy the basic requirement of licensure/certification/registration by possessing and maintaining a board certification from the NCBTMB
• Foreign Graduates: Graduates of foreign massage therapy programs that require a minimum 500-hour education program are considered to meet the basic education requirements if they have a full unrestricted and current license - registration - or certification - as described above - or by maintaining a board certification from the NCBTMB
• Grade Determinations: GS-8 -Advanced Clinical Level: Experience
• In addition to meeting the basic requirements - candidates must possess one year of progressive experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level that include independently assessing the physical and mental status of patients - taking complete patient history and performing a physical assessment - performing duties with limited supervision and assisting with clinical supervision of massage therapy students
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSA's): In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Skill in providing advanced massage techniques using the appropriate tools - supplies - and equipment based on the needs of the patient Knowledge of anatomy - physiology - and pathology relevant to massage therapy within specialty population(s) Ability to modify massage therapy techniques based on an understanding of specialty populations - and various clinical/environmental settings Knowledge of teaching methods and learning principles Ability to conduct research and quality improvement activities - related to massage therapy Knowledge of complementary integrative health - and holistic health principles Assignment: For all assignments above the full performance level (GS-7) - the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope - complexity (difficulty) - variety - and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time
• At this level - the Health Technician (Massage Therapy) provides a full range of complex treatment procedures and modalities - which may include - but are not limited to reflexology - injury rehabilitation - lymphatic drainage - neuromuscular therapy - myofascial release - and/or craniosacral work
• The Health Technician (Massage Therapy) is responsible to provide massage therapy services for specialty areas - such as pain management - poly-trauma - surgery - traumatic brain injury - palliative care - neurology - orthopedics - geriatrics - cardiology - pulmonary - rheumatology - spinal cord injury - mental health - and oncology
• The Health Technician (Massage Therapy) assists other staff through education and as a member of an interdisciplinary health care team
• The Health Technician (Massage Therapy) is a subject matter expert responsible for mentoring other Health Technicians (Massage Therapy) who participate in educational and research activities
• The Health Technician (Massage Therapy) provides education in massage techniques to patients - caregivers - and employees
• The Health Technician (Massage Therapy) contributes to identifying - collecting - and analyzing aggregate patient care information - to ensure safety and quality of care
• Preferred Experience: Certified Yoga - TaiChi - or QiGong instructor Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be able to perform all activities of the position without restriction
• This position involves considerable standing - walking - stooping - bending - reaching - lifting - and turning
• The work may involve pushing or lifting weight in excess of 50 pounds and going up and down flights of stairs
• The position requires visual and auditory acuity at a level to provide safe and effective practice
• This position requires travel to facilities within the VHA system and may require extended work hours to facilitate travel.

Duties

• *** This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until June 27 - 2025
• The initial cutoff date for referral of eligible applications will be April 25 - 2025
• Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as needed basis until positions are filled
• *** Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf The major duties and responsibilities of the position include: Utilizing standard patient evaluation procedures to formulate a treatment plan
• Incorporating various massage therapy and bodywork techniques
• Providing advanced massage therapy services of greater complexity applied to specialty populations in various clinical/environmental settings with limited supervision and coordinates follow up care as indicated
• Changing linen between patients - refilling oils - cleaning massage table/chair/arm rest - and providing a clean - calm environment
• Providing massage therapy instruction for self-care to patient and family as determined appropriate
• Educating patients on healthy lifestyle including hydration - basic nutrition - stretching - exercise - mind-body techniques - movement-based therapies - sleep habits - stress management and other matters related to massage therapy care
• Mentoring other staff in best massage therapy practices
• Assisting with clinical supervision of massage therapy students under routine academic oversight
• Documenting - and coding information related to patient care in the VA's electronic health care record on a timely basis following established policies
• Participating in research and quality improvement activities related to massage therapy
• Identifying - collecting - and analyzing aggregate patient care information to ensure safety and quality of care
• Reviewing patient referrals to screen for appropriateness of care and direct Veterans to other services when necessary
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8AM to 4:30PM Compressed/Flexible: May be available Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: May be available on an ad-hoc basis as determined by the agency policy Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 60319A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized