Health Technician (Massage Therapy)

Description:

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30, 2025. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be February 21, 2025, with subsequent cut-off dates on the 1st of each month. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.

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.
• 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
(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.

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

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.