Clarification from the agency

This job is open to current permanent Department of Veteran Affairs employees, current permanent Federal employees of other agencies and all US Citizens.

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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.

GS 5: This is an entry level position to the Full Performance Level.

• Massage therapists at this level perform basic medical massage therapy services
  under close supervision.
• The therapist functions independently in carrying out services of limited complexity.
• The massage therapist utilizes standard patient evaluation procedures to formulate a treatment plan.
• The massage therapist provides medical massage therapy instruction for selfcare 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 medical massage therapy care.
• The massage therapist may review patient referrals to screen for appropriateness of care and direct Veterans to other services when necessary.

• The massage therapist is responsible for changing linen between patients, refilling oils, cleaning massage table/chair/arm rest, and providing a clean, calm environment.
• The massage therapist provides medical massage therapy instruction for selfcare 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 functions as a member of the health care team and communicates with other health care providers as appropriate.
• The massage therapist may review patient referrals to screen for appropriateness of care and direct Veterans to other services when necessary.
• The massage therapist is the subject matter expert on medical massage therapy and related body work services and will provide guidance when requested regarding purchased care.

• The incumbent utilizes standard patient evaluation procedures to formulate a treatment plan.
• The incumbent performs massage therapy services of greater complexity with limited supervision and coordinate follow up care as indicated.
• 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 mentor's 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.
• 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.
• 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.

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.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination/evaluation
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

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:

Citizenship.
Candidates must be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.)

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).

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. See Chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part.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 5:
Education, Experience, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements.

GS 6: Developmental 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

• 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.
• .Ability to effectively communicate verbally/non-verbally and in writing (through a variety of modalities).

• 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.
• Ability to advise staff and students in massage therapy practices

How you will be evaluated

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

Area of consideration- Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:

1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility.
2. All other VA employees
3. Current permanent Federal employees of other agencies.
4. All other applicants.

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.