Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

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-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
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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 Ability to advise staff and students in massage therapy practices
• Assignment: At the full performance level, Health Technicians (Massage Therapy) independently assess the physical and mental status of patients
• The Health Technician (Massage Therapy) takes complete patient history and performs a physical assessment
• The Health Technician (Massage Therapy) interprets relevant clinical information to identify each patient's population-specific needs, identify indications/contraindications for massage, and develop the plan of care
• Health Technicians (Massage Therapy), at this level, are responsible to perform massage therapy services with complexity higher than the developmental level
• The Health Technician (Massage Therapy) performs duties with limited supervision and seeks assistance from the supervisor in urgent or emergent circumstances
• The Health Technician (Massage Therapy) evaluates patient responses to treatment and documents responses to treatment, by maintaining accurate records in an electronic environment
• The Health Technician (Massage Therapy) coordinates follow up massage therapy as necessary
• Health Technicians (Massage Therapy), at this level, serve as consultants to the health care team in the evaluation and treatment of the patient
• Under routine academic oversight, the Health Technician (Massage Therapy) assists with clinical supervision of massage therapy students
• Preferred Experience: Certified TaiChi, Yoga, 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

• Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf The Health Technician - Massage Therapy occupation provides clinical services that address a vast array of problems impacting the health and function of a diverse patient population
• The work requires the application of knowledge of therapeutic massage concepts, principles, and practices, and encompasses a large variety of modalities from Western and Eastern traditions
• 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
• Performing massage therapy services of greater complexity with limited supervision and coordinating 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
• Using various communication techniques to encourage and educate individuals and groups to enhance massage therapy outcomes
• Documenting, and coding information related to patient care in the VA's electronic health care record on a timely basis following established policies
• 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 EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact Michael.Campbell6@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more 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 #: 60318A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized