Health Technician (Massage Therapy)

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.

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.
(3) 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.

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). 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.

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. Experience includes: Independently asses the physical and mental status of patients; takes complete patient history and perform a physical assessment; interprets relevant clinical information to identify each patient's specific needs, identifies indications/contraindications for massage, and develops the plan of care; performs massage therapy services with high level of complexity; evaluates patient responses to treatment and documents responses in an electronic environment; coordinates follow up massage therapy; serves as consultants to health care team in the evaluation and treatment of the patient; and assists with clinical supervision of massage therapy students. 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;
• Knowledge of complementary integrative health, and holistic health principles.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-08.

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