The primary function of this position is to provide evaluation and treatment of patients referred for massage therapy on an outpatient basis. When providing patient care, the incumbent performs the full range of functions stated below primarily for adult and older adult patients.

Duties

Coordinates Veteran schedule with other interdisciplinary team members. May review referrals to assess appropriateness of massage therapy intervention. Reviews medical records to assess appropriateness of massage therapy intervention, to identify any potential risks or contraindications to massage therapy treatment and to assist in guiding the evaluation process. 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. Provides massage therapy instruction for self-care to patient and family as determined appropriate. Educates patients on healthy lifestyle including hydration, basic nutrition, stretching, strengthening exercise, mind-body techniques, sleep habits, stress management, relaxation and other matters related to massage therapy care. Knowledge of complementary integrative health and holistic health principles. Responsible for mentoring other massage therapists and participating in educational activities. Knowledge of teaching methods and learning principles, and will assist other staff through education as a member of an interdisciplinary health care team. Mentors other staff in best massage therapy practices. Acts as subject matter expert on massage therapy and related body work services and will provide guidance when requested regarding purchased care. Provides patient care coverage to other PM&R clinics as needed. May participate in Process Improvement activities related to massage therapy and holistic care. Contributes to identifying, collecting, and analyzing aggregate patient care information, to ensure safety and quality of care. Knowledge of the processes for Reusable Medical Equipment (RME). Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Mon- Friday 8:00am- 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 (Health Technician (Massage Therapy Advanced) Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

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 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). work (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. 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 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. 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 service. References: VA Handbook 5005/108 PART II APPENDIX G56 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. 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 John J Pershing VA Medical Center 1500 North Westwood Boulevard Poplar Bluff, MO 63901 US
• Name: Rebecca Hampton
• Phone: 573-413-3921
• Email: [email protected]