Health Technician (Massage Therapist) Advanced Clinical

Full Job Description

The Primary Purpose of the Position is: The Health Technician-Massage therapist at the full performance level is responsible to perform massage therapy services in a complex and variable patient population The Organizational Location of the Position is: Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service, primarily assigned to Fort Worth campus of the VA North Texas Health Care System (VANTHCS), Dallas, TX.

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.

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.

§ 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.

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, or by maintaining a board certification from the NCBTMB.

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.

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 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: 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. 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.

Preferred Experience: Three (3) 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 in interpreting and integrating referral reviews to determine appropriateness of services.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08.

Physical Requirements: Up to 4-6 hours of the following: sitting, walking, standing, twisting, bending, stooping, reaching, reaching overhead, grasping and pinching with hands and fine manipulation, such as typing/keyboarding.

Up to 3-4 hours of the following: straight pulling, puling hand over hand, pushing, climbing and kneeling.

Required lifting light to moderate (up to 44 pounds) and carrying light to moderate (up to 44 pounds).

Required functional hearing with/without hearing aids, Near vision correctable at 13-16", Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, the ability to use both eyes, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors.

Use of fingers, both hands and use of both legs. Sitting is required for meetings, administrative work and occasionally driving motor vehicle most of the day. The ability to drive is required.

The position demands significant physical stress and strain such as transferring patients, crouching and crawling on mats, and occasionally defending self against combative patients assigned to the incumbent.

Work may require good physical health, normal use of arms and legs and good visual and auditory acuity, to evaluate and treat patients, and to use computer, keyboard, monitor, phone, etc.

Work is performed in the clinics, wards, exercise areas, office and conference rooms, occasionally in the home. May be exposed to infectious diseases, medical and psychiatric emergencies. Major Duties:

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties to include but not limited to: Reviews patient referrals to screen for appropriateness of care and direct Veterans to others services when necessary, upon review and consultation with PM&R provider.

Conducts complex massage therapy assessments to general and specialty patient populations, utilizing standard patient evaluation procedures including structured interview, direct observation, standardized testing and medical record review to formulate a treatment plan.

Coordinates follow up care as indicated per treatment plan 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.

Modifies massage therapy techniques based on an understanding of specialty populations, and various clinical/environmental settings.

Documents training for self-care to patient and family related to massage therapy care and lifestyle.

functions as a member of the health care team and communicates with other health care providers as appropriate Mentors other massage therapists and participating in educational activities.

Identifies learning activities for self and others.

Maintains current in concepts and evidence-based principles in massage therapy through literature review, study of current research, clinical practice, attendance to continuing education courses, conferences and in-services.

Receives and triages Veteran referrals/consults from appropriate source. Adheres to consult compliance established guidelines and is knowledgeable of referral criteria.

Contributes to identifying, collecting, and analyzing aggregate patient care information, to ensure safety and quality of care.

Schedules Veterans for evaluation and treatment in a timely fashion, considering priority and frequency of care and coordinating schedules with other members of the treatment team Maintains a safe work environment and develops safe work habits to prevent injury to veterans, peers and self.

responsible for changing linen between patients, refilling oils, cleaning massage table/chair/arm rest, and providing a clean, calm environment.

Provides patient care coverage to other PM&R clinics as needed.

Performs other related duties as assigned Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, PRN weekend and holiday coverage Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).

Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.

Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.

Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.

Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 53232-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized