Summary

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until 03/16/2027. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be 03/20/2026 - with subsequent cut-off dates on the 1st of each month.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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: 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 - Candidates must possess and maintain a board certification from the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (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
• Grandfathering Provision
• Health Technicians (Massage Therapy) employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held - including positive education and licensure that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation
• For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements of this standard - but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it - the following provisions apply: Employees grandfathered into the GS-0640 occupational series as a Health Technician (Massage Therapy) may be reassigned - promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level - or changed to lower grade within the occupation
• Health Technicians (Massage Therapy) who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of this qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of this standard
• Health Technicians (Massage Therapy) initially grandfathered into this occupation - who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure - certification - registration - and meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard - must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation
• If Health Technicians (Massage Therapy) - who are grandfathered under this provision - leave the GS-0640 series - they lose their grandfathered protected status
• These employees must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the Health Technician (Massage Therapy) occupation in this series
• Grade Determinations: GS-8: Experience
• In addition to meeting the basic requirements - candidates must possess one year of progressive experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Skill in providing advanced massage techniques using the appropriate tools - supplies - and equipment based on the needs of the patient
• Knowledge of anatomy - physiology - and pathology relevant to massage therapy within specialty population(s)
• Ability to modify massage therapy techniques based on an understanding of specialty populations - and various clinical/environmental settings
• Knowledge of teaching methods and learning principles
• Ability to conduct research and quality improvement activities - related to massage therapy
• and Knowledge of complementary integrative health - and holistic health principles
• Preferred Experience: Three or more years of experience in massage therapy services
• Experience in medical inpatient/outpatient clinical setting
• Experience performing evaluations/assessments for acute and/or chronic conditions
• Experience interpreting and integrating referrals reviews to determine appropriateness of services
• 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-08
• Physical Requirements: Should have the ability to perform repetitive physical activities: Up to 4-6 hours of the following: sitting - walking - standing - twisting - bending - stooping - reaching - reaching overhead - grasping and pinching with hands and fine manipulation - such as typing/keyboarding
• Up to 3-4 hours of the following: straight pulling - puling hand over hand - pushing - climbing and kneeling
• Required lifting light to moderate (up to 44 pounds) and carrying light to moderate (up to 44 pounds)
• Required functional hearing with/without hearing aids - Near vision correctable at 13-16" - Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other - the ability to use both eyes - depth perception - ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors
• Use of fingers - both hands and use of both legs
• Sitting is required for meetings - administrative work and occasionally driving motor vehicle most of the day
• The ability to drive is required
• The position demands significant physical stress and strain such as transferring patients - crouching and crawling on mats - and occasionally defending self against combative patients assigned to the incumbent
• Work may require good physical health - normal use of arms and legs and good visual and auditory acuity - to evaluate and treat patients - and to use computer - keyboard - monitor - phone - etc
• Work is performed in the clinics - wards - exercise areas - office and conference rooms - occasionally in the home
• May be exposed to infectious diseases - medical and psychiatric emergencies.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties may include but are not limited to: Veterans are scheduled for evaluation considering caseload complexity and acuity of medical condition
• Coordinates Veteran schedule with other interdisciplinary team members
• The massage therapist may review patient referrals to screen for appropriateness of care and direct Veterans to others services when necessary - upon review and consultation with PM&R provider
• Medical records are reviewed to assess appropriateness of massage therapy intervention - to identify any potential risks or contraindications to massage therapy treatment and to assist in guiding the evaluation process
• The massage therapist individually conducts complex massage therapy assessments to general and specialty patient populations - utilizing standard patient evaluation procedures including structured interview - direct observation - standardized testing and medical record review to formulate a treatment plan
• The massage therapist shall document - and code information related to patient care in the VA's electronic health care record on a timely basis following established policies
• Documents training for self-care to patient and family related to massage therapy care and lifestyle
• Consent shall be completed prior to treatment in accordance with local requirements
• The massage therapist functions as a member of the health care team and communicates with other health care providers as appropriate
• The massage therapist is a subject matter expert - responsible for mentoring other massage therapists and participating in educational activities
• Identifies learning activities for self and others
• Participates and contributes to the advancements of knowledge and techniques related to massage therapy via in-services and/or mentorship projects
• Conducts in-services for interdisciplinary team and other rehabilitation programs
• Maintains current in concepts and evidence-based principles in massage therapy through literature review - study of current research - clinical practice - attendance to continuing education courses - conferences and in-services
• The massage therapist has knowledge of teaching methods and learning principles and will assist other staff through education as a member of an interdisciplinary health care team
• Work Schedule: 8:00am-4:30pm - Monday-Friday PRN Weekend and Holiday Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 53763-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized