Health Technician; Massage Therapy-Advanced Clinical Level

The Massage Therapist treats a wide range of conditions using medical massage therapy alone or as an adjunct to standard medical care. Medical massage therapy is the manual assessment and manipulation of the superficial soft tissues of the body for therapeutic purpose and encompasses a large variety of techniques from Western and Eastern traditions. Massage therapists incorporate knowledge of various systems of anatomy, physiology and pathology to develop and apply a plan of care.

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• 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.
• Education: Candidates must complete a minimum 500-hour massage therapy education program.
  • 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 in subparagraph 3.c., or by maintaining a board certification from the NCBTMB.
• Licensure, Registration, or Certification
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  • 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.

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).

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.
  • GS-7 level experience includes the following:
    • 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 iv. Ability to advise staff and students in massage therapy practices.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs.
  • Skill in providing advanced massage techniques using the appropriate tools, supplies, and equipment based on…