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The Health Technician (Massage Therapy) will perform clinical care 100% of the time. The position is expected to be fully flexible in support of the needs of the facility. At this level, the Health Technician (Massage Therapy) is responsible to perform massage therapy services with complexity higher than the developmental level and performs duties with limited supervision and seeks assistance from supervisor in urgent or emergent circumstances. The duties and responsibilities of the Health Technician (Massage Therapy) include, but are not limited to the following:

- Assessing the physical and mental status of patients independently.
- Obtaining a complete patient history and performing physical assessments.
- Interpreting relevant clinical information to identify each patient's population-specific needs.
- Identifying indications/contraindications for massage therapy.
- Providing advanced massage techniques using the appropriate tools, supplies and equipment based on the patient's needs.
- Explaining techniques to be performed to patients so that an understanding of massage therapy, as well as any requirements of the patients are thoroughly understood in order to obtain the highest level of therapeutic benefit.
- Developing plans of care in coordination with other modalities and coordinating follow-up.
- Monitoring patient's therapeutic response to massage therapy, documenting responses to treatment by maintaining accurate records in an electronic environment.
- Serving as a consultant to the heath care team in the evaluation and treatment of the patients.
- Serving as the subject matter expert on massage therapy and related body work services and providing guidance, when requested regarding purchased care.
- Participating in interdisciplinary treatment teams, as appropriate.
- Providing education in basic massage techniques and other education to patients, caregivers, and employees.
- Using various communication techniques to encourage and educate individuals and groups to enhance massage therapy outcomes.
- Maintaining accurate and current records as required by management officials for quality assurance and performance improvement.
- Documenting and coding information related to patient care in the VA's electronic health record on a timely basis following established policies.
- Assisting with the clinical supervision of massage therapy students under routine academic oversight.
- Developing and maintaining strong interpersonal relationships.
- Understanding Joint Commission, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and VA standards related to massage therapy regulations.
- Monitoring equipment for proper operation and determining when maintenance or repair is needed.
- Contributing to identifying, collecting, and analyzing aggregate patient care information to ensure safety and quality of care.
- Cleaning and maintaining equipment in the manner outlined in the Reusable Medical Equipment Policy and according to specific Standard Operating Procedures.
- Maintaining a safe and clean clinical space, changing linen between patients, refilling oils, cleaning massage table/chair/arm rest, and providing a clean, calm environment.
- Maintaining awareness and practice of the safety policies/procedures of the medical center and participating in quality assurance activities as directed.
- Following all local and VHA policies and procedures dealing with access and utilization of the scheduling package and/or advanced clinic access; completing all mandatory training for scheduling responsibilities; using the designated scheduling package, directly or through the scheduling clerk, to schedule all outpatient appointments; not using an informal or unapproved wait list for patient appointments; and, reporting the use of scheduling package that is not in accordance with the VHA directive and/or local policy to the supervisor, when applicable.
- Performing other duties as assigned.


Preferred Experience

• Certification in Medical Massage
• 1 to 2 years of medical massage experience
• VA experience

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7am to 4:30pm
Functional Statement #:58378F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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.

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, (2) Candidates must possess and maintain a board certification from the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB).

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: GS-7

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
(4) Ability to advise staff and students in massage therapy practices.

Assignment at the full performance level, Health Technicians (Massage Therapy) independently assess the physical and mental status of patients. 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. The Health Technician (Massage Therapy) evaluates patient responses to treatment and documents responses to treatment, by maintaining accurate records in an electronic environment. The Health Technician (Massage Therapy) coordinates follow up massage therapy as necessary. 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.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7.

Physical Requirements: The work requires some physical exertion such as prolonged periods of standing, bending, reaching, crouching, stooping, stretching, and lifting moderately heavy items such as manuals, record boxes, equipment or assisting patients ,the work requires above average agility and dexterity.

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.