OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans?

Duties

The Health Technician (Massage Therapy) position provides massage therapy services to the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center in Iron Mountain, MI. Massage therapy is the practice of manual assessment and manipulation of the superficial soft tissues of skin, muscle, tendon, ligament, fascia, and the structures that lie within the superficial tissues. The Health Technician (Massage Therapy) occupation provides clinical services that address a vast array of problems impacting the health and function of a diverse patient population. The work requires the application of knowledge of therapeutic massage concepts, principles and practices, and encompasses a large variety of modalities from Western and Eastern traditions. Massage Therapy promotes circulation of blood and lymph, relieves muscle tension, and can include a general relaxation response, alleviate pain and anxiety, promote sleep, reduce stress, and enhance the general sense of wellness. The incumbent in this position may utilize appropriate tools and the external applications of water, heat, and cold to enhance therapeutic benefits. The Health Technician will incorporate various systems of anatomy, physiology, and pathology to apply a plan of care for those with a variety of soft tissue dysfunctions, stress related conditions, and imbalances. Major Duties: Independently assesses the physical and mental status of patients. Interprets relevant clinical information to identify each patient's population-specific needs, identify indications/contradictions for massage, and develop a plan of care. Evaluates patient responses to treatment and documents responses to treatment by maintaining accurate records in an electronic environment. Serves as a consultant to the health care team in the evaluation and treatment of the patient. Applies basic massage services such as effleurage (stroking), petrissage (kneading), tapotement/percussion, friction, vibration, passive and active stretching, and draping. Changes linens between clients, refilling oils, cleaning massage table/chair/arm rest, and providing a clean, calm environment. Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathology, therapeutic effects, and evidenced based practice of massage therapy. Demonstrates Patient Centered Care (PCC) through the use of effective communication with patients, families, visitors, and members of the interdisciplinary team, including the patient in mutual goal setting, and providing patient advocacy when appropriate. Work Schedule: Full time, Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm 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. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 15 days of the closing date of this announcement. Basic Requirements: U.S. Citizenship: Must be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Policy. Education: Must have completed a minimum 500-hour massage therapy education program. DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED. 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). DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED. 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: IN ADDITION TO THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS APPLICANTS MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING GRADE REQUIREMENTS: GS-5 Level: Education, Experience, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements Assignments at this level: Performing basic massage therapy services under close supervision. The technician functions independently in applying basic massage services including, but is not limited to effleurage (stroking), petrissage (kneading), tapotement/percussion, friction, vibration, passive and active stretching, and draping; changing linen between clients, refilling oils, cleaning massage table/chair/arm rest, and providing a clean, calm environment; promoting and educating patients in the health and wellness benefits of massage, and developing therapeutic relationships with patient/family/significant others by demonstrating sensitivity and respect for a patient's personal beliefs. GS-6 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 1. Skill to provide massage techniques including draping, using the appropriate tools, supplies, and equipment based on the needs of the patient; 2. Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathology, therapeutic effects, and evidence based practice of massage therapy; 3. Ability to work with an interdisciplinary team in a health care setting; 4. Knowledge of all patient safety procedures, rules, and regulations as they pertain to a clinical environment; and 5. Ability to effectively communicate verbally/non-verbally and in writing (through a variety of modalities). Assignments at this level: Serving as developmental Health Technicians (Massage Therapy) and performing treatments which are routine and standardized in nature; providing treatments in various inpatient and outpatient settings, in accordance with applicable policies and procedures; performing a substantially full range of duties, but receiving guidance and directions regarding unfamiliar or unusual situations for more complex patient issues. GS-7 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 1. 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; 2. Ability to use various communication techniques to encourage and educate individuals and groups to enhance massage therapy outcomes; 3. Skill in developing and maintaining strong interpersonal relationships; and 4. Ability to advise staff and students in massage therapy practices. Assignments at this level: Independently assessing the physical and mental status of patients; taking complete patient history and performing a physical assessment; interpreting relevant clinical information to identify each patient's population-specific needs, identifying indications/contraindications for massage, and developing the plan of care; performing massage therapy services with complexity higher than the developmental level. Performing duties with limited supervision and seeks assistance from the supervisor in urgent or emergent circumstances. Evaluating patient responses to treatment and documents responses to treatment, by maintaining accurate records in an electronic environment. Coordinating follow up massage therapy as necessary; serving as consultants to the health care team in the evaluation and treatment of the patient; assisting with clinical supervision of massage therapy students. References: VA Handbook 5005/108, Part II, Appendix G56. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-07. 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 Oscar G Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility 325 East H Street Iron Mountain, MI 49801 US
• Name: Kevin Estrada
• Phone: 319-338-0581 X636728
• Email: [email protected]