The Massage Therapist is assigned to the Ambulatory Care Service (ACS), CARA Pain Management Team, or CARA PMT at the Raymond G. Murphy VA Medical Center. The incumbent is assigned to provide professional services to any/all program areas that are covered by ACS including acute care, long term care, and outpatient settings under the supervision of the Section Chief for the CARA Pain Team or a designee of the Section Chief. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: Citizenship. Candidates must be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 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, 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 in subparagraph 3.c.(1). Candidates may satisfy the basic requirement of licensure/certification/registration by possessing and maintaining a board certification from the NCBTMB. Exception. Non-certified applicants, who have pending registrations or licensures in a state, or a certification by a national board recognized by the Secretary, and otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for licensure, may be given a temporary appointment as a Graduate Health Technician (Massage Therapy), under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B), for a period not to exceed two years. Failure to obtain licensure/registration/certification during this period may result in termination of employment. 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, or by maintaining a board certification from the NCBTMB. English Language Proficiency. Individuals appointed under the authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA, must be proficient in written and spoken English. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for appointment, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates. Health Technician (Massage Therapy), GS-5 - Entry Level Education, Experience, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. Health Technician (Massage Therapy), GS-6 - Developmental Level Education, Experience, and Licensure. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level, and demonstrate all the KSAs below: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Skill to provide massage techniques including draping, using the appropriate tools, supplies, and equipment based on the needs of the patient; Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathology, therapeutic effects, and evidence based practice of massage therapy; Ability to work with an interdisciplinary team in a health care setting; Knowledge of all patient safety procedures, rules, and regulations as they pertain to a clinical environment; and Ability to effectively communicate verbally/non-verbally and in writing (through a variety of modalities). Health Technician (Massage Therapy) GS-7 - Full Performance Level Education, Experience, and Licensure. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS- 6 grade level performing massage therapy and demonstrate all the KSAs below: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Ability to assess the physical and mental status of patients (including history and physical assessment), interpret the appropriate information to identify each patient's population-specific needs, identify indications/contraindications for massage, develop the plan of care, and monitor their response to treatment; Ability to use various communication techniques to encourage and educate individuals and groups to enhance massage therapy outcomes; Skill in developing and maintaining strong interpersonal relationships; and Ability to advise staff and students in massage therapy practices. Preferred Experience: Preferred VA experience but will consider qualified applicants without VA experience. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-07. Physical Requirements: Sitting, standing, lifting up to 40 pounds. ["Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf The massage therapist treats a wide range of conditions. Massage therapy may be used alone or as an adjunct to standard medical care. Massage therapy is the manual assessment and manipulation of the superficial soft tissues of the body for therapeutic purpose and encompasses a large variety of techniques from Western and Eastern traditions. Basic massage therapy includes, but is not limited, to effleurage (stroking), petrissage (kneading), tapotement/percussion, friction, vibration, passive and active stretching, and draping. Massage therapists may utilize mechanical tools and the external applications of water, heat, and cold to enhance therapeutic benefits. Massage therapists incorporate knowledge of various systems of anatomy, physiology, and pathology to apply a plan of care for those with a variety of soft tissue dysfunctions, stress related conditions and imbalances, utilizing a variety of techniques commonly taught in massage therapy schools. Major duties include, but are not limited to the following: Provide individualized massage therapy treatment The massage therapist utilizes standard patient evaluation procedures to formulate a treatment plan. The massage therapist incorporates various massage therapy and bodywork techniques taught within their professional education. The massage therapist performs massage therapy services of greater complexity with limited supervision and coordinate follow up care as indicated. The massage therapist is responsible for changing linen between patients, refilling oils, cleaning massage table/chair/arm rest, and providing a clean, calm environment. Provide massage therapy instruction, education, and mentoring, promote quality improvement The massage therapist provides massage therapy instruction for self-care to patient and family as determined appropriate. The massage therapist educates patients on healthy lifestyle including hydration, basic nutrition, stretching, exercise, mind-body techniques, sleep habits, stress management and other matters related to massage therapy care. The massage therapist mentors other staff in best massage therapy practices. Under routine academic oversight, the massage therapist assists with clinical supervision of massage therapy students. The massage therapist is required to use various communication techniques to encourage and educate individuals and groups to enhance massage therapy outcomes. Complete clinical notes in electronic health record system The massage therapist shall document, and code information related to patient care in the VA's electronic health care record on a timely basis following established policies. Consent shall be completed prior to treatment in accordance with local requirements. The massage therapist functions as a member of the health care team and communicates with other health care providers as appropriate. Maintain trainings and attend required meetings The massage therapist shall maintain up-to-date with VHA and professional trainings. Required professional meetings must be attended. Administration The massage therapist may review patient referrals to screen for appropriateness of care and direct Veterans to other services when necessary. The massage therapist is the subject matter expert on massage therapy and related body work services and will provide guidance when requested regarding purchased care. Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). 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). Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized"]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.
