Summary

The Massage Therapist treats a wide range of conditions using medical massage therapy alone or as an adjunct to standard medical care. Medical 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. Massage therapists incorporate knowledge of various systems of anatomy - physiology and pathology to develop and apply a plan of care.

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 74 - to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA - must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Education: Candidates must complete a minimum 500-hour massage therapy education program
• 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
• 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
• 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: Health Technician (Massage Therapy) 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
• GS-7 level experience includes the following: 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 iv
• Ability to advise staff and students in massage therapy practices
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: 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
• v
• Ability to conduct research and quality improvement activities - related to massage therapy
• and Knowledge of complementary integrative health - and holistic health principles 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: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position
• Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Duties

• Major duties include - but are not limited to the following: Provide individualized medical massage therapy treatment: The massage therapist utilizes standard patient evaluation procedures to formulate a treatment plan
• The massage therapist incorporates various medical massage therapy and bodywork techniques taught within their professional education
• The massage therapist provides advanced medical massage therapy services of greater complexity applied to specialty populations in various clinical/environmental settings 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 medical massage therapy instruction - education - and mentoring: The massage therapist provides medical massage therapy instruction for selfcare 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 medical massage therapy care
• The massage therapist has knowledge of complementary integrative health and holistic health principles
• The massage therapist mentors other staff in best medical massage therapy practices
• Under routine academic oversight - the massage therapist assists with clinical supervision of massage therapy students
• The massage therapist is a subject matter expert - responsible for mentoring other massage therapists and participating in educational activities
• The massage therapist has knowledge of teaching methods and learning principles - and will assist other staff through education as a member of an interdisciplinary health care team
• Complete clinical notes in electronic health record system: The massage therapist shall document and code information related to patientcare 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
• Research and quality improvement: The massage therapist participates in research and quality improvement activities related to medical massage therapy
• The massage therapist is required to use various communication techniques to encourage and educate individuals and groups to enhance medical massage therapy outcomes
• The massage therapist is responsible for identifying - collecting and analyzing aggregate patient care information to ensure safety and quality of care
• 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 medical massage therapy and related body work services and will provide guidance when requested regarding purchased care
• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm 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: Not Eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 992933-FS Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized