Clarification from the agency

1st Area of consideration - Preference Eligible Veterans; 2nd Area of Consideration - All US Citizens

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The Health Technician (Massage Therapy) is assigned to the Patient Care Service of the John L McClellan Memorial Veteran' Hospital, Little Rock, AR. The Health Technician (Massage Therapy)may be required to work at both the North Little Rock and Little Rock campuses as part of their job duties. Specific duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Takes complete patient history and performs a physical assessment.
• Interprets relevant clinical information to identify each patient's population-specific needs, identify indications/contraindications for massage, and develop the plan of care.
• Independently perform massage therapy services, incorporating various massage therapy and bodywork techniques taught within their professional education.
• Responsible for changing linens between patients, replacing oils, cleaning table/chair/arm-rest, and providing a clean, calm environment.
• Evaluates patient responses to treatment and documents responses to treatment
• Accurately codes and maintains patient records in the VA electronic healthcare record system.
• Coordinates follow up massage therapy as necessary.
• Provides massage therapy instruction for self care to patients and family as deemed appropriate.
• Serve as a consultant to the health care team in the evaluation and treatment of the patient
• Review patient referrals to screen for appropriateness of care and direct Veterans to other services as necessary.
• Assists with clinical supervision of massage therapy students.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM; additional days and hours as patient care needs dictate.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

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.
• 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.
• Education. Candidates must complete a minimum 500-hour massage therapy education program.
  • 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.
• 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).
  • OR,
  • License 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.

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).

Grandfathering Provision. Health Technicians (Massage Therapy) employed in VHA on March 12, 2019 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.

Grade Determinations:

GS-05
Education, Experience, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements in paragraph 3.

GS-06
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).

GS-07

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, Health Technician (Massage Therapy) Qualification Standard

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: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service, paragraph 2.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.