Health Technician (Massage Therapy)

Veterans Health Administration • Longview, TX

20h • Onsite

About The Position

The Health Technician (Massage Therapy) provides massage treatments in inpatient and outpatient settings in accordance with applicable policies and procedures. The position is located in Longview, Texas, and reports to the Whole Health Program Manager. Technicians perform a substantially full range of duties, receiving guidance for unfamiliar or unusual situations involving complex patient issues.

At the GS-05 entry level, the technician provides basic massage services under close supervision, including effleurage, petrissage, tapotement/percussion, friction, vibration, passive and active stretching, and draping. The technician also changes linens between clients, refills oils, cleans massage tables, chairs, and arm rests, and maintains a clean, calm environment.

At GS-06, the technician provides routine, standardized treatments in inpatient and outpatient settings, with guidance for unfamiliar or complex situations. At the GS-07 full-performance level, the technician interprets clinical information to identify patient-specific needs and massage indications or contraindications, develops plans of care, provides more complex services with limited supervision, evaluates and documents patient responses in an electronic environment, coordinates follow-up treatments, consults with the health care team, and assists with clinical supervision of massage therapy students under routine academic oversight.

The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., subject to change based on facility needs. Occasional travel, including to a Community Based Outpatient Clinic, is required. The incumbent regularly and recurringly drives a government-owned or leased vehicle and must have a valid driver’s license. Work is performed in an office or clinic setting and may involve handling several tasks at once in stressful situations.

Requirements

• Complete a minimum 500-hour massage therapy education program.
• Hold a current state, territory, Commonwealth, or District of Columbia massage therapist license, registration, or certification based on the required education and examination, or maintain NCBTMB board certification. Applicants with pending credentials may be eligible for a temporary Graduate Health Technician appointment not to exceed two years, subject to applicable requirements.
• For GS-06: One year of experience equivalent to GS-05, with skill in massage techniques and draping; knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathology, therapeutic effects, and evidence-based massage practice; ability to work with an interdisciplinary health care team; knowledge of clinical patient-safety procedures and regulations; and effective verbal, nonverbal, and written communication skills.
• For GS-07: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-06 performing massage therapy, plus ability to assess patients’ physical and mental status, interpret information to identify patient-specific needs, identify massage indications and contraindications, develop plans of care, and monitor treatment responses; ability to educate and encourage individuals and groups; skill in maintaining interpersonal relationships; and ability to advise staff and students on massage therapy practices.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Pass a pre-employment physical evaluation and, if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position, urinalysis screening for illegal drug use.
• Meet background and security investigation requirements and complete online onboarding and application requirements.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Have a valid driver's license.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, during which continued employment is subject to written certification that it advances the public interest.

Nice To Haves

• Two years of massage therapy experience working with individual patients in a clinical care setting.

Responsibilities

• Provide massage therapy treatments in inpatient and outpatient settings in accordance with applicable policies and procedures.
• Provide basic massage techniques, including effleurage, petrissage, tapotement/percussion, friction, vibration, stretching, and draping.
• Change linens between clients, refill oils, clean massage tables, chairs, and arm rests, and maintain a clean, calm environment.
• Assess patient-specific needs and identify indications and contraindications for massage.
• Develop plans of care and provide massage services appropriate to patient needs and treatment complexity.
• Evaluate patient responses to treatment and maintain accurate electronic records documenting those responses.
• Coordinate follow-up massage therapy as necessary.
• Consult with the health care team regarding patient evaluation and treatment.
• Assist with clinical supervision of massage therapy students under routine academic oversight.
• Travel as needed, including to a Community Based Outpatient Clinic, and drive a government-owned or leased vehicle.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility limits.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and a federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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