Health Technician (Massage Therapy)

Description:

The massage therapist performs manual assessment and manipulation of the superficial soft tissues of skin, muscle, tendon, ligament, fascia, and the structures that lie within the superficial tissues that addresses 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.

Requirements:

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: Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English. Education : Education: Candidates must complete a minimum 500-hour massage therapy education program. Education. 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). 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. Loss of Credential: An employee who fails to maintain the required licensure/certification/registration must be removed from the occupation, which 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, 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-7 Health Technician (Message Therapy) -Full performance

Education, Experience, and Licensure. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-6 grade level, and demonstrate all the KSAs below:

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
1. 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;
2. Ability to use various communication techniques to encourage and educate
individuals and groups to enhance massage therapy outcomes;
3. Skill in developing and maintaining strong interpersonal relationships; and
4. Ability to advise staff and students in massage therapy practices.

References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/46, PART II, APPENDIX G56

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.