Health Technician (Massage Therapy)

Veterans Health Administration • Dallas, TX

18h • Onsite

About The Position

The Health Technician-Massage Therapist provides massage therapy services to a complex and variable patient population in the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service outpatient clinic at the Dallas Campus of the VA North Texas Health Care System. At the advanced clinical level, the technician performs complex assessments and treatment procedures, coordinates care with interdisciplinary team members, and provides patient and caregiver education. The role also includes mentoring colleagues, serving as a subject matter expert, and contributing to research, process improvement, and quality and safety activities.

The position is based in clinics and may also involve work in wards, exercise areas, offices, conference rooms, and occasionally patients’ homes. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with PRN weekend and holiday coverage. Telework and virtual work are not available. The position requires a one- or two-year trial period and involves physical demands, including patient transfers and lifting or carrying up to 44 pounds.

Requirements

• Complete a minimum 500-hour massage therapy education program.
• Hold and maintain a qualifying state, territory, Commonwealth, or District of Columbia massage therapist license, registration, or certification based on the required education and examination; or hold and maintain National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) board certification.
• Be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Meet the GS-8 experience requirement: one year of progressive experience equivalent to the GS-7 level.
• Demonstrate skill in advanced massage techniques and in selecting appropriate tools, supplies, and equipment for patient needs.
• Demonstrate knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathology relevant to massage therapy and specialty populations.
• Demonstrate ability to adapt massage techniques to specialty populations and different clinical or environmental settings.
• Demonstrate knowledge of teaching methods and learning principles.
• Demonstrate ability to conduct research and quality-improvement activities related to massage therapy.
• Demonstrate knowledge of complementary integrative health and holistic health principles.
• Meet applicable U.S. citizenship requirements; non-citizens may be appointed only when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Pass required pre-employment screening, including a background/security investigation and physical evaluation; selected applicants in testing-designated positions are also subject to urinalysis for illegal drug use.
• Meet the physical and functional requirements of the role, including the ability to drive, lift and carry up to 44 pounds, perform patient transfers, and use required vision, hearing, and motor functions.
• Complete the required online onboarding and application documentation; males born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as a VA health care personnel requirement.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period if appointed.

Nice To Haves

• Three or more years of experience providing massage therapy services.
• Experience in a medical inpatient or outpatient clinical setting.
• Experience evaluating or assessing acute and/or chronic conditions.
• Experience interpreting and integrating referral reviews to determine appropriateness of service.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate Veteran schedules with other interdisciplinary team members.
• Review referrals and medical records to determine whether massage therapy is appropriate and to identify risks or contraindications.
• Conduct complex massage therapy assessments using interviews, observation, standardized testing, and medical record review; formulate treatment plans.
• Coordinate follow-up care as indicated by the treatment plan.
• Provide complex massage therapy treatments and modalities, including techniques appropriate to specialty populations and clinical settings.
• Teach patients and families massage therapy self-care when appropriate.
• Educate patients about healthy lifestyle practices related to massage therapy, including hydration, basic nutrition, stretching, strengthening exercise, mind-body techniques, sleep habits, stress management, and relaxation.
• Mentor other massage therapists and staff, and participate in educational activities.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on massage therapy and related bodywork services, including providing guidance about purchased care when requested.
• Provide patient-care coverage to other Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation clinics as needed.
• Participate in process-improvement activities related to massage therapy and holistic care.
• Help identify, collect, and analyze aggregate patient-care information to support safety and quality of care.
• Apply knowledge of processes for reusable medical equipment.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; eligibility and specific benefits depend on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.
• Eligible selected applicants may request credit for prior work or military service toward annual leave accrual; approval is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed