Description:
The Massage Therapist is assigned to the Ambulatory Care Service (ACS), CARA Pain Management Team, or CARA PMT at the Raymond G. Murphy VA Medical Center. The incumbent is assigned to provide professional services to any/all program areas that are covered by ACS including acute care, long term care, and outpatient settings under the supervision of the Section Chief for the CARA Pain Team or a designee of the Section Chief.Requirements:
Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.Basic Requirements:
- Citizenship. Candidates must be a citizen of the United States. 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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, or by maintaining a board certification from the NCBTMB.
- 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.
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 : In addition to the basic requirements for appointment, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates.
Health Technician (Massage Therapy), GS-5 - Entry Level
- Education, Experience, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements.
- Education, Experience, and Licensure. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level, and demonstrate all the KSAs below:
- Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Skill to provide massage techniques including draping, using the appropriate tools, supplies, and equipment based on the needs of the patient;
- Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathology, therapeutic effects, and evidence based practice of massage therapy;
- Ability to work with an interdisciplinary team in a health care setting;
- Knowledge of all patient safety procedures, rules, and regulations as they pertain to a clinical environment; and
- Ability to effectively communicate verbally/non-verbally and in writing (through a variety of modalities).
- 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:
- Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- 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
- Ability to advise staff and students in massage therapy practices.
Preferred Experience: Preferred VA experience but will consider qualified applicants without VA experience.
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-07. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-07.
Physical Requirements: Sitting, standing, lifting up to 40 pounds.
Apr 3, 2025;
from:
usajobs.gov