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. 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. ["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: 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: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 60319A 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.
