The Batavia VA Healthcare Center is hiring for one temporary Health technician (Massage Therapy) GS-7. Incumbents at this grade level serve as independent Health Technicians (Massage Therapy) and perform a full range of treatments which are routine, standardized, and with higher complexity in nature. The Health Technician(Massage Therapy) provides treatments in various inpatient and outpatient settings, in accordance with applicable policies and procedures.

Duties

The Massage therapist may be required to travel to Buffalo VA or other locations within 50 mile radius for clinic or outreach events. Task #1: Provide individualized massage therapy treatment The incumbent utilizes standard patient evaluation procedures to formulate a treatment plan. The incumbent incorporates various massage therapy and bodywork techniques taught within their professional education. The incumbent performs massage therapy services of greater complexity with limited supervision and coordinate follow up care as indicated. The incumbent is responsible for changing linen between patients, refilling oils, cleaning massage table/chair/arm rest, and providing a clean, calm environment. Task #2: Provide massage therapy instruction, education, and mentoring, promote quality improvement The incumbent provides massage therapy instruction for self-care to patient and family as determined appropriate. The incumbent 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 incumbent mentors other staff in best massage therapy practices. Under routine academic oversight, the incumbent assists with clinical supervision of massage therapy students. The incumbent is required to use various communication techniques to encourage and educate individuals and groups to enhance massage therapy outcomes. Task #3: Complete clinical notes in electronic health record system The incumbent shall document, and code information related to patient care in the VA's electronic health care record on a timely basis following established policies. Consent shall be completed prior to treatment in accordance with local requirements. The incumbent functions as a member of the health care team and communicates with other health care providers as appropriate. Task #4: Maintain trainings and attend required meetings The incumbent shall maintain up to date with VHA and professional trainings. Required professional meetings must be attended. Task #5: Administration The incumbent may review patient referrals to screen for appropriateness of care and direct Veterans to other services when necessary. The incumbent is the subject matter expert on massage therapy and related body work services and will provide guidance when requested regarding purchased care. Task #6: Assessment The incumbent will 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. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:00am-3:30pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 24367 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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: 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: 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). 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. 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. 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. 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. 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: 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 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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 VA Western New York Healthcare System 3495 Bailey Avenue Buffalo, NY 14215 US
• Name: Tera Coddington
• Phone: 914-737-4400 X202452
• Email: [email protected]