Health Technician - Massage Therapist

Summary

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until 03/16/2027. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be 03/20/2026 - with subsequent cut-off dates on the 1st of each month.

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.

• 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:
  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)
• 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. Section 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
• Grandfathering Provision
• Health Technicians (Massage Therapy) employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held - including positive education and licensure that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation
• For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements of this standard - but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it - the following provisions apply:
  Employees grandfathered into the GS-0640 occupational series as a Health Technician (Massage Therapy) may be reassigned - promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level - or changed to lower grade within the occupation
• Health Technicians (Massage Therapy) who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of this qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of this standard
• Health Technicians (Massage Therapy) initially grandfathered into this occupation - who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure - certification - registration - and meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard - must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation
• If Health Technicians (Massage Therapy) - who are grandfathered under this provision - leave the GS-0640 series - they lose their grandfathered protected status
• These employees must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the Health Technician (Massage Therapy) occupation in this series
• Grade Determinations: GS-8:
  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:
  Skill in providing advanced massage techniques using the appropriate tools - supplies - and equipment based on the needs of the patient
• Knowledge of anatomy - physiology - and pathology relevant to massage therapy within specialty population(s)
• Ability to modify massage therapy techniques based on an understanding of specialty populations - and various clinical/environmental settings
• Knowledge of teaching methods and learning principles
• Ability to conduct research and quality improvement activities - related to massage therapy
• and Knowledge of complementary integrative health - and holistic health principles
• Preferred Experience:
  
  Three or more years of experience in massage therapy services
• Experience in medical inpatient/outpatient clinical setting
• Experience performing evaluations/assessments for acute and/or chronic conditions
• Experience interpreting and integrating referrals reviews to determine appropriateness of services
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). Standards/
• The full performance level of this…