Clarification from the agency

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• 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

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
• 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.

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.

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, resume, 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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.