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 3 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.
- Foreign Graduates: Graduates of foreign massage therapy programs that require a minimum 500-hour education program are considered to meet the basic education requirements if they have a full unrestricted and current license, registration, or certification, or by maintaining a board certification from the NCBTMB.
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 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, at this grade level, and meet the criteria).
Preferred Experience:
1.) 5+ years of Massage Therapist experience.
2.) 1+ years of VHA Massage Therapist experience.
3.) Medical Massage Therapy certification.
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.
For Reference Assignments at the GS-7 grade 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.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs:
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.
Reference can be found at the VA Qualification Repository,
VA Qualifications Standards - Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO) GS-0640 Health Technician (Massage Therapy) dated March 12, 2019
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-08.
Physical Requirements: The position will require heavy lifting (45 lbs and over); light carrying (under 15 lbs); straight pulling/pushing (<1 hours); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; repeated bending; walking/standing/crawling/kneeling (>1 hours); climbing, legs only; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, vision with corrective lenses; both eyes required; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid permitted). mental and emotional stability.