Clarification from the agency

Open to the public which includes all US Citizens and all current permanent Federal employees from other agencies. Employees of other federal agencies and the public will be referred on separate certificates. Current, permanent VA employees should apply to: CBSY-11732523-23-AMB

Videos

The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

The incumbent serves as a Health Technician (Massage Therapy) within the Integrative Health (IH) Program and is organizationally responsible to the Outpatient Nurse Manager, Rehabilitation and Extended Care Service Line (REC SL).Duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Assess each patient to include the physical and mental status, completed by performing a pertinent history and physical examination. Pertinent clinical information is identified to provided focused population-specific treatment (massage therapy/modalities) and develop a plan of care.
• Performs massage techniques independently with limited supervision from the supervisor, to include therapeutic massage and muscle manipulations based on the independent evaluation. The Heath Technician does request assistance in urgent or emergent circumstances.
• Evaluates the response to treatment by accurately documenting and collaborating with other team members.
• Provide a full range of complex treatment modalities consistent with massage therapy licensure and training.
• Assist in the growth and development of the IH program by: assisting other staff by serving as a subject matter expert; mentoring and modeling outstanding clinical practice; and participating in educational and research activities.
• Plans and implements specialized treatment programs and applies therapeutic massage to patients. Employee may carry out or oversee the work of lower graded assistants to accommodate requests.
• Assists in development of a comprehensive specialized treatment plan that includes long and short-term goals. Persuades and motivates Veterans and family members to participate in treatment plans. Interacts with the patient and family regarding goals for treatment.
• Assists in the performance of, or independently performs, highly specialized and diversified treatment procedures. Utilizes the full range of modalities including heat, cold, sound, electricity, and massage. Administers non-complex active and passive therapeutic exercise. Instructs, motivates, and assists patients to learn activities of daily living and improve functional activities. Prepares and maintains appropriate equipment and supplies required for these treatments.
• Varies procedures or positions to adjust for Veterans' medical conditions. Modifies intervention environment, tools, materials, and activities in response to each Veteran's response to treatment.
• Demonstrate exceptional interpersonal skills, including verbal and nonverbal communication, to promote positive and harmonious relationships with the health care team. Ability to respond to concerns of patients and visitors in a manner that is effective and improves customer satisfaction
• Seek out education opportunities to enhance knowledge, skills and massage therapy practice
• Manage a group of patients for return appointment notification and follow up telephone calls as necessary.
• Prepares and presents written and oral reports for the Integrative Health Coordinator and Service Line Leadership.
• Maintains a safe work environment to include non-technical maintenance of equipment, safety checks, cleaning, stocking, etc. Develops safe work habits to prevent injury to patients, coworkers and self. Reports to supervisor the need for equipment or items necessary for patient treatment.
• Maintains a high level of competence through participation in continuing education programs. Assists with the supervision and training of student physical therapy assistants, volunteers, work students and other healthcare practitioners.

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).

• NOTE: As of the date of this standard, several states do not offer a credential in massage therapy. Additionally, some states offer a credential that does not meet the 500-hour education program and/or state-issued examination requirements described above in subparagraph 3.c.(1). Candidates may satisfy the basic requirement of licensure/certification/registration by possessing and maintaining a board certification from the 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.
• Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service, paragraph 2.
• 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 Sa, this part.

• Education, Experience, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements in paragraph 3.

• 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

1. Skill to provide massage techniques including draping, using the appropriate tools, supplies, and equipment based on the needs of the patient;
2. Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathology, therapeutic effects, and evidence based practice of massage therapy;
3. Ability to work with an interdisciplinary team in a health care setting;
4. Knowledge of all patient safety procedures, rules, and regulations as they pertain to a clinical environment; and
5. Ability to effectively communicate verbally/non-verbally and in writing (through a variety of modalities

• 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; and
4. 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.

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.

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.