The Massage Therapist utilizes standard patient evaluation procedures to formulate a treatment plan. The Massage Therapist incorporates various medical massage and bodywork techniques taught within their professional education. The Massage Therapist provides advanced medical massage services of greater complexity applied to specialty populations in various clinical/environmental settings with limited supervision and coordinates follow up care as indicated. 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 74, 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: (1) 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, (2) 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. (3) 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 in subparagraph 3.c., or by maintaining a board certification from the NCBTMB. 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: GS-8 Health Technician (Massage Therapy) - 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 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; and Knowledge of complementary integrative health, and holistic health principles Preferred Experience: 3 years qualified medical massage therapy experience, preferably in a healthcare system with specialized experience in targeted medical massage for specific health conditions. 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-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-8. Physical Requirements: The position will require heavy lifting (45 lbs. and over); light carrying (under 15 lbs.); straight pulling/pushing, reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; repeated bending; walking/standing/crawling/kneeling, climbing, legs only; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, vision with corrective lenses; both eyes required; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid permitted). mental and emotional stability. ["St. Louis VA is committed to Diversity and Inclusion. Together, we strive to create and maintain a working and learning environment that promotes professional growth and teamwork. We offer an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment where we celebrate our individual differences and unite as a team toward a common goal of providing outstanding service to our Nation's Veterans. This position serves as an Advanced Clinical Massage Therapist within Whole Health. Whole Health promotes personalized, proactive care, and affirms the importance of the relationship between patients and their healthcare team. They will have extensive knowledge of the Whole Health System of Care transformation of healthcare delivery. This includes promoting values-based behavior change, self-care, and complementary integrative approaches to healthcare. The Health Technician (Massage Therapy) Advanced Clinical Level Massage Therapist treats a wide range of conditions. Massage Therapist duties include but are not limited to the following: Duties Provide Individualized Medical Massage Therapy Treatment: - Administers a 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. - Uses a collaborative approach to incorporate Whole Health coaching and well-being activities into their treatment approach. - Incorporates 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. - Basic medical massage therapy includes, but is not limited, to effleurage (stroking), petrissage (kneading), tapotement/percussion, friction, vibration, passive and active stretching, and draping. - May utilize mechanical tools and the external applications of water, heat, and cold to enhance therapeutic benefits. - Utilizes standard patient evaluation procedures to formulate a treatment plan. - Incorporates various medical massage therapy and bodywork techniques taught within their professional education through both in-person and virtual care. - Provides advanced medical 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. - Responsible for changing linen between patients, refilling oils, cleaning massage table/chair/arm rest, and providing a clean, calm environment. - Reviews patient referrals to screen for appropriateness of care and direct Veterans to others services when necessary. Provide Medical Massage Therapy Instructions, Education, and Mentoring: - Provides medical massage therapy instruction for self-care to patient and family as determined appropriate. - Educates patients on healthy lifestyle including hydration, basic nutrition, stretching, exercise, mind-body techniques, sleep habits, stress management and incorporates collaboration such as Whole Health coaching and well being activities into their treatment approach. - Uses various communication techniques to encourage and educate individuals and groups to enhance overall outcomes. - Serves as a subject matter expert, responsible for mentoring other staff and participating in educational activities. Under routine academic oversight, the massage therapist assists with clinical rotations of health professional trainees including but not limited to medical residents, chiropractic students/residents, massage therapy students or other health professional trainee students. - Has knowledge of teaching methods and learning principles, and will assist other staff through education as a member of an interdisciplinary health care team. Administrative: - Documents and codes information related to patient care in the VA's electronic health care record on a timely basis following established policies. - Informed consent shall be completed prior to treatment in accordance with local requirements. - Functions as a member of the health care team and communicates with other health care providers as appropriate, which may include collaboration of care with other healthcare providers. - Maintains up-to-date with VHA and professional trainings. - Required professional meetings must be attended. Research and Quality Improvement: - Participates in research and quality improvement activities related to massage therapy. - Identifies, collects, and analyzes aggregate patient care information to ensure safety and quality of care. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized"]

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