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Health Technician (Massage Therapy)

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The position will serve as a Health Technician (Massage Therapy) at the WNY HCS. Individual VA location of assignment will be site specific at time of job posting. The incumbent treats a wide range of conditions as massage therapy may be used alone or as an adjunct to standard medical care.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
05/23/2022 to 06/06/2022
Salary
$37,542 to - $60,450 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 5 - 7
Location
Buffalo, NY
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
7
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
CBTE-11505873-22-NW
Control number
656010700

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This vacancy announcement is open to the public.

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Duties

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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.

  • Performs basic massage therapy services under close supervision.
  • Functions independently in carrying out basic services of limited complexity
  • Incorporates various massage therapy and bodywork techniques taught within their professional education.
  • Provides massage therapy instruction for self-care to patient and family as determined appropriate
  • 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.
  • Document and code information related to patient care in the VA's electronic health care record on a timely basis following established policies.
GS 6: Employees at this grade level serve as developmental Health Technicians (Massage Therapy) and perform treatments which are routine and standardized in nature.
  • Utilizes standard patient evaluation procedures to formulate a treatment plan.
  • Incorporates various massage therapy and bodywork techniques taught within their professional education.
  • Provides massage therapy instruction for self-care to patient and family as determined appropriate.
  • 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.
  • Document and code information related to patient care in the VA's electronic health care record on a timely basis following established policies.
GS 7
  • Provides individualized massage therapy treatment.
  • Provide massage therapy instruction, education, and mentoring, promote quality improvement.
  • Mentors other staff in best massage therapy practices.
  • Complete clinical notes in electronic health record system.
  • Maintains trainings and attend required meetings.
  • Review patient referrals to screen for appropriateness of care and direct Veterans to other services when necessary.
  • Subject matter expert on massage therapy and related body work services and will provide guidance when requested regarding purchased care.
  • 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.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 24367-F
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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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:

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).
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:


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

References: Qualification for this position can be found in VA Handbook 5005, Part II Appendix. G56.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS 5 to GS 7.

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

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.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process..


If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

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.

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.

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