The massage therapist utilizes standard patient evaluation procedures to formulate a treatment plan. The massage therapist incorporates various massage therapy and bodywork techniques taught within their professional education. The massage therapist performs massage therapy services of greater complexity with limited supervision and coordinates follow-up care as indicated. This is an open continuous announcement until 09/29/2023 or when a selection is made.

Duties

The massage therapist treats a wide range of conditions. Massage therapy may be used alone or as an adjunct to standard medical care. 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. Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: Provides individualized massage therapy treatment. Utilizes standard patient evaluation procedures to formulate a treatment plan. Incorporates various massage therapy and bodywork techniques taught within their professional education. Changes linen between patients, refilling oils, cleaning massage table/chair/arm rest, and provides a clean, calm environment. Provides massage therapy instruction for self-care to patient and family as determined appropriate. Educates patients on healthy lifestyle including hydration, basic nutrition, stretching, exercise, mind-body techniques, sleep habits, stress management and other matters related to massage therapy care. Completes clinical notes in electronic health record system. Documents and codes information related to patient care in the VA's electronic health care record on a timely basis following established policies. Obtains consent prior to treatment in accordance with local requirements. Functions as a member of the health care team and communicates with other health care providers as appropriate. Maintains trainings and attend required meetings. Reviews patient referrals to screens for care. Directs Veterans to other services when necessary. Provides guidance when requested regarding purchased care. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 07:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of certification/licensure requirements may be referred. BASIC REQUIREMENTS. The basic requirements for employment as a Health Technician (Massage Therapy) are prescribed by Public Law 96-151 and codified in 38 U.S.C. ? 7402. To qualify for appointment, all applicants for the position of Health Technician (Massage Therapy) in VHA must meet the following: Citizenship. Candidates must be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates) 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). 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. 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. Graduate Health Technician (Massage Therapy) Has completed the education requirements, but does not possses the appropriate license, registration, or certification. Loss of Credential. An employee who fails to maintain the required licensure, certification, registration must be removed from the occupation, which 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, as described in subparagraph 3.c., or by maintaining a board certification from the NCBTMB. 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. 1. 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. 2. 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. 3. 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. 4. 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. 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. GRADE REQUIREMENTS. Creditable Experience Knowledge of Contemporary Professional Massage Therapy Practice. To be creditable, a candidate must have demonstrated possession of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with the scope of massage therapy practice. Quality of Experience. Experience is only creditable if it was experience completed in the massage therapy practice and directly related to the duties to be performed after the post education requirements were completed. Qualifying experience must be at a level comparable to, or exceeding, the Health Technician (Massage Therapy) experience at the next lower grade level. Grade Determination. In addition to the basic requirements for appointment, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates. Health Technician (Massage Therapy), GS-5 - Entry Level Education, Experience, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. Health Technician (Massage Therapy), GS-6 - Developmental Level Education, Experience, and Licensure. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level, and demonstrate all the KSAs below: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Skill to provide massage techniques including draping, using the appropriate tools, supplies, and equipment based on the needs of the patient; Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathology, therapeutic effects, and evidence based practice of massage therapy; Ability to work with an interdisciplinary team in a health care setting; Knowledge of all patient safety procedures, rules, and regulations as they pertain to a clinical environment; and Ability to effectively communicate verbally/non-verbally and in writing (through a variety of modalities). Health Technician (Massage Therapy) GS-7 - Full Performance Level Education, Experience, and Licensure. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-6 grade level performing massage therapy and demonstrate all the KSAs below: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 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 Ability to advise staff and students in massage therapy practices. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/108 PART II APPENDIX G56 March 12, 2019 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-7. Physical Requirements: Sitting, standing, lifting up to 40 pounds.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Las Vegas VA Medical Center 6900 North Pecos Road North Las Vegas, NV 89086 US
• Name: Marisella Souza
• Phone: 925-356-4088
• Email: [email protected]