Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship
• Citizen of the United States
• (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3.g.)
• 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)
• Grade Determinations: GS-08 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 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
• Assignment
• For all assignments above the full performance level (GS-7), the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time
• At this level, the Health Technician (Massage Therapy) provides a full range of complex treatment procedures and modalities, which may include, but are not limited to reflexology, injury rehabilitation, lymphatic drainage, neuromuscular therapy, myofascial release, and/or craniosacral work
• The Health Technician (Massage Therapy) is responsible to provide massage therapy services for specialty areas, such as pain management, poly-trauma, surgery, traumatic brain injury, palliative care, neurology, orthopedics, geriatrics, cardiology, pulmonary, rheumatology, spinal cord injury, mental health, and oncology
• The Health Technician (Massage Therapy) assists other staff through education and as a member of an interdisciplinary health care team
• The Health Technician (Massage Therapy) is a subject matter expert responsible for mentoring other Health Technicians (Massage Therapy) who participate in educational and research activities
• The Health Technician (Massage Therapy) provides education in massage techniques to patients, caregivers, and employees
• The Health Technician (Massage Therapy) contributes to identifying, collecting, and analyzing aggregate patient care information, to ensure safety and quality of care
• References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G56 - Health Technician (Massage Therapy) Qualification Standard.