Health Technician (Massage Therapy)

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:

• 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.

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 in paragraph 3, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates.

Health Technician (Massage Therapy), GS-5 - Entry Level.
(a) Education, Experience, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements in paragraph 3.

Health Technician (Massage Therapy), GS-6 - Developmental Level
(a) 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:
(b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
i. Skill to provide massage techniques including draping, using the appropriate tools, supplies, and equipment based on the needs of the patient;
ii. Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathology, therapeutic effects, and evidence based practice of massage therapy;
iii. Ability to work with an interdisciplinary team in a health care setting;
iv. Knowledge of all patient safety procedures, rules, and regulations as they pertain to a clinical environment; and
v. Ability to effectively communicate verbally/non-verbally and in writing (through a variety of modalities).

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.

Health Technician (Massage Therapy) GS-8 - Advanced Clinical Level
(a) 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:
(b) 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 and certification in Alexander Technique, acupressure, reflexology, Zero Balancing, and/or aromatherapy.

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G56

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-8. ???????

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service, paragraph 2.