Health Technician (Massage Therapy)

Description:

This Health Technician Massage position is in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) Service at the VA Boston Healthcare Systems, located at the Brockton, MA location. This position will have expectation to be at the Lowell CBOC one day a week . This position is a full-time at 40 per week.

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).
   1. 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 (1). Candidates may satisfy the basic requirement of licensure/certification/registration by possessing and maintaining a board certification from the NCBTMB.
3. 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 above, or by 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 :
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

1. Skill in providing advanced massage techniques using the appropriate tools, supplies, and equipment based on the needs of the patient
2. Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathology relevant to massage therapy within specialty population(s)
3. Ability to modify massage therapy techniques based on an understanding of specialty populations, and various clinical/environmental settings
4. Knowledge of teaching methods and learning principles
5. Ability to conduct research and quality improvement activities, related to massage therapy
6. Knowledge of complementary integrative health, and holistic health principles

Preferred Experience:

• Advanced clinical decision-making capacity.
• Strong and effective communication skills, with demonstrated ability to manage challenging conversations.
• Ability to work and collaborate within an interdisciplinary team.

References: VA Handbook 5005/108 PART II APPENDIX G56

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08.

Physical Requirements: Sitting, standing, and lifting up to 40 pounds.