Health Technician (Massage Therapy)

Description:

The massage therapist utilizes standard patient evaluation procedures to formulate a treatment plan. The massage therapist incorporates various massage therapy and bodywork techniques taught within their professional education. The massage therapist is responsible for changing linen between patients, refilling oils, cleaning massage table/chair/arm rest, and providing a clean, calm environment.

Requirements:

Basic Requirements :
The basic requirements for employment as a Health Technician (Massage Therapy) are prescribed by Public Law 96-151 and codified in 38 U.S.C. § 7402. To qualify for appointment, all applicants for the position of Health Technician (Massage Therapy) in VHA must meet the following:

• United States Citizenship: Candidates must be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, 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, 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) 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.
• (4) 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.
• (5) 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.

Grade Determinations : (3) Health Technician (Massage Therapy) GS-7 - Full Performance Level

(a) 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 and demonstrate all the KSAs below:

(b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• i. 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;
• ii. Ability to use various communication techniques to encourage and educate individuals and groups to enhance massage therapy outcomes;
• iii. Skill in developing and maintaining strong interpersonal relationships; and
• iv. Ability to advise staff and students in massage therapy practices.

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.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/ .

This is the Full performance level of this vacancy.

Physical Requirements: Work, divided between office and clinical settings. May require prolonged standing, moderate walking, and manual dexterity. Sitting, standing, lifting up to 40 pounds.