This position is located at the Watertown VA Clinic. 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

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 provides advanced massage therapy services of greater complexity applied to specialty populations in various clinical/environmental settings with limited supervision and coordinate follow up care as indicated. The massage therapist provides massage therapy instruction for self-care to patient and family as determined appropriate. The massage therapist 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. The massage therapist mentors other staff in best massage therapy practices. Under routine academic oversight, the massage therapist assists with clinical supervision of massage therapy students. The massage therapist is a subject matter expert, responsible for mentoring other massage therapists and participating in educational activities. The massage therapist has knowledge of teaching methods and learning principles, and will assist other staff through education as a member of an interdisciplinary health care team. The massage therapist shall document and code information related to patient care in the VA's electronic health care record on a timely basis following established policies. The massage therapist functions as a member of the health care team and communicates with other health care providers as appropriate. The massage therapist participates in research and quality improvement activities related to massage therapy. The massage therapist is responsible for identifying, collecting and analyzing aggregate patient care information to ensure safety and quality of care. The massage therapist may review patient referrals to screen for appropriateness of care and direct Veterans to others services when necessary. The massage therapist is the subject matter expert on massage therapy and related body work services and will provide guidance when requested regarding purchased care. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 4:30pm. Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #38920F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

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, 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. ? 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. 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 1. Skill in providing advanced massage techniques using the appropriate tools, supplies, and equipment based on the needs of the patient; 2.Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathology relevant to massage therapy within specialty population(s); 3. Ability to modify massage therapy techniques based on an understanding of specialty populations, and various clinical/environmental settings; 4. Knowledge of teaching methods and learning principles; 5. Ability to conduct research and quality improvement activities, related to massage therapy; and 6. Knowledge of complementary integrative health, and holistic health principles. Preferred Experience: The Health Technician (Massage Therapy) takes complete patient history and performs a physical assessment. The Health Technician (Massage Therapy) interprets relevant clinical information to identify each patient's population-specific needs, identify indications/contraindications for massage, and develop the plan of care. Health Technicians (Massage Therapy), at this level, are responsible to perform massage therapy services with complexity higher than the developmental level. The Health Technician (Massage Therapy) performs duties with limited supervision and seeks assistance from the supervisor in urgent or emergent circumstances. Health Technicians (Massage Therapy), at this level, serve as consultants to the health care team in the evaluation and treatment of the patient. Under routine academic oversight, the Health Technician (Massage Therapy) assists with clinical supervision of massage therapy students. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/108; PART II, APPENDIX G56 Physical Requirements: Sitting, standing, and 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 Syracuse VA Medical Center 800 Irving Ave Syracuse, NY 13210 US
• Name: Terrence Davis
• Phone: 585-393-7208
• Email: [email protected]