Health Technician (Massage Therapy) Advance Clinical

Summary

The massage therapist treats a wide range of conditions. Medical massage therapy may be provided independently or as a complement to standard medical care. It involves manual assessment and manipulation of soft tissues using techniques from Western and Eastern traditions - such as effleurage - petrissage - tapotement - friction - vibration - stretching - and draping practices.

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
• 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
• 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
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: i
• Skill in providing advanced massage techniques using the appropriate tools - supplies - and equipment based on the needs of the patient
• ii
• Knowledge of anatomy - physiology - and pathology relevant to massage therapy within specialty population(s)
• iii
• Ability to modify massage therapy techniques based on an understanding of specialty populations - and various clinical/environmental settings
• iv
• Knowledge of teaching methods and learning principles
• v
• Ability to conduct research and quality improvement activities - related to massage therapy
• and vi
• Knowledge of complementary integrative health - and holistic health principles
• Preferred Experience: Preferred experience includes basic clinical decision making skills and the ability to provide targeted medical massage tailored to individual patient needs
• 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-08
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-08
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service - paragraph 2.
  
  

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Uses standard patient evaluation procedures to develop an individualized treatment plan
• Provides advanced - complex massage therapy services for diverse patient populations in multiple clinical environments with limited supervision
• Coordinating follow-up care - maintaining a clean - safe - and calming treatment space - and completing room turnover (changing linens - sanitizing equipment - replenishing supplies)
• Provides patient and family education on self-care techniques relevant to medical massage therapy
• Guidance on hydration - stretching - mobility - stress management - mind-body practices - sleep hygiene - and other Whole Health-aligned lifestyle factors
• Mentor other staff in best practices - assist with the clinical supervision of massage therapy students under routine academic oversight - and share expertise as a subject matter expert within the interdisciplinary care team
• Documents all patient encounters in the VA electronic health record in accordance with established policies - including timely coding and required treatment consent
• Maintains compliance with mandatory VHA - facility - and professional training requirements and participates in required meetings
• Takes part in quality improvement and research activities related to massage therapy
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday
• 7:30am to 4:00pm or 8:00am to 4:30pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• 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) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• 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 Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 00266F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized