Massage Therapist

Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority•Cherokee, NC

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The Massage Therapist provides therapeutic chair massage services to patients within a hospital setting. This role focuses primarily on chair massage techniques to support stress reduction, comfort, and musculoskeletal relief while adhering strictly to hospital policies, safety standards, infection prevention protocols, and professional scope of practice. Services are delivered in outpatient clinics and designated wellness areas in collaboration with interdisciplinary care teams. Job Description · Conduct patient assessments, including medical history review, identification of contraindications, and evaluation of treatment needs. · Develop and deliver individualized therapeutic massage interventions to support pain management, mobility, and overall function, in accordance with clinical standards and infection prevention practices. · Monitor patient response to treatment, evaluate outcomes, identify adverse or unexpected findings, and promptly communicate concerns to supervising or referring providers. · Educate patients and families on body mechanics, stretching, relaxation techniques, self-care strategies, and post-treatment expectations to support continuity of care. · Document all assessments, treatments, patient education, informed consent, and outcomes accurately and timely in the electronic medical record (EMR), in compliance with hospital policies, Joint Commission standards, and regulatory and billing requirements. · Collaborate with physicians, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and other interdisciplinary team members to support coordinated, patient-centered care. · Communicate effectively with patients and healthcare staff regarding treatment plans, progress, and clinical recommendations. · Adhere to hospital policies, professional standards, and regulatory requirements, including safety, infection control, confidentiality (HIPAA), and the North Carolina Massage and Bodywork Therapy Practice Act. · Maintain current state licensure, certifications, competencies, and hospital privileges as required. · Participate in performance improvement, quality assurance, outcomes measurement, and hospital initiatives related to patient experience, integrative pain management, and clinical effectiveness. · Engage in ongoing education, training, and competency validation to ensure safe, effective, and compliant practice.

Requirements

Graduate of a school that maintained its approval status with The North Carolina Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy on a continuous basis during the applicant’s time of enrollment.
Active and unrestricted North Carolina Massage and Bodywork Therapy license.
Minimum of one year of professional massage therapy experience; chair massage experience preferred.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required and can be obtained upon hire
Demonstrates knowledge of North Carolina Massage and Bodywork Therapy principles, standards of practice, and clinical application in healthcare settings.
Proficient in chair massage techniques, including identification of contraindications and adaptation for medically complex patient populations.
Ability to assess patient presentation, symptoms, and response to treatment using strong observational and clinical reasoning skills.
Effective communication and interpersonal skills to engage patients, families, and interdisciplinary healthcare teams with a calm, empathetic, and professional demeanor.
Ability to collect, document, and communicate comprehensive health assessment data, including relevant medical history and physical findings, using electronic medical records.
Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to multitask and prioritize in a fast-paced clinical environment.
Physical ability to safely perform chair massage for extended periods, including standing, bending, and repetitive motion.
Cultural competence and awareness of the health characteristics of the patient population served.
Commitment to ongoing continuing education, maintenance of licensure and credentials, and achievement of role proficiency within six months.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in healthcare, hospital, or integrative medicine settings is preferred but not required.
Additional training in medical massage, oncology massage, or trauma-informed care is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Conduct patient assessments, including medical history review, identification of contraindications, and evaluation of treatment needs.
Develop and deliver individualized therapeutic massage interventions to support pain management, mobility, and overall function, in accordance with clinical standards and infection prevention practices.
Monitor patient response to treatment, evaluate outcomes, identify adverse or unexpected findings, and promptly communicate concerns to supervising or referring providers.
Educate patients and families on body mechanics, stretching, relaxation techniques, self-care strategies, and post-treatment expectations to support continuity of care.
Document all assessments, treatments, patient education, informed consent, and outcomes accurately and timely in the electronic medical record (EMR), in compliance with hospital policies, Joint Commission standards, and regulatory and billing requirements.
Collaborate with physicians, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and other interdisciplinary team members to support coordinated, patient-centered care.
Communicate effectively with patients and healthcare staff regarding treatment plans, progress, and clinical recommendations.
Adhere to hospital policies, professional standards, and regulatory requirements, including safety, infection control, confidentiality (HIPAA), and the North Carolina Massage and Bodywork Therapy Practice Act.
Maintain current state licensure, certifications, competencies, and hospital privileges as required.
Participate in performance improvement, quality assurance, outcomes measurement, and hospital initiatives related to patient experience, integrative pain management, and clinical effectiveness.
Engage in ongoing education, training, and competency validation to ensure safe, effective, and compliant practice.