This is an open continuous announcement. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available. Applications will remain on file until January 22, 2025.
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.
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, as described in subparagraph 3.c., or by maintaining a board certification from the NCBTMB.
- 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.
(3) 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.
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:
Health Technician (Massage Therapy), GS-5 - Entry Level
Education, Experience, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements.
Health Technician (Massage Therapy), 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; and
- Ability to effectively communicate verbally/non-verbally and in writing (through a variety of modalities).
Health Technician (Massage Therapy) 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; and
- Ability to advise staff and students in massage therapy practices.
Preferred Experience: One year of experience as a licensed massage therapist.
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. 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: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.