Health Technician (Massage Therapy Advanced)
About This Position
The massage therapist utilizes standard patient evaluation procedures to formulate a treatment plan. The massage therapist incorporates various massage therapy and bodywork techniques taught within their professional education. The massage therapist provides advanced massage therapy services of greater complexity applied to specialty populations in various clinical/environmental settings with limited supervision and coordinates follow up care as indicated.
Qualifications
BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3.g.). Education.
Candidates must complete a minimum 500-hour massage therapy education program. 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). Grade Determinations: GS-08 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 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. Assignment.
For all assignments above the full performance level (GS-7), the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. At this level, the Health Technician (Massage Therapy) provides a full range of complex treatment procedures and modalities, which may include, but are not limited to reflexology, injury rehabilitation, lymphatic drainage, neuromuscular therapy, myofascial release, and/or craniosacral work. The Health Technician (Massage Therapy) is responsible to provide massage therapy services for specialty areas, such as pain management, poly-trauma, surgery, traumatic brain injury, palliative care, neurology, orthopedics, geriatrics, cardiology, pulmonary, rheumatology, spinal cord injury, mental health, and oncology.
The Health Technician (Massage Therapy) assists other staff through education and as a member of an interdisciplinary health care team. The Health Technician (Massage Therapy) is a subject matter expert responsible for mentoring other Health Technicians (Massage Therapy) who participate in educational and research activities. The Health Technician (Massage Therapy) provides education in massage techniques to patients, caregivers, and employees.
The Health Technician (Massage Therapy) contributes to identifying, collecting, and analyzing aggregate patient care information, to ensure safety and quality of care. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G56 - Health Technician (Massage Therapy) Qualification Standard.
Major Duties
Major duties include, but are not limited to the following: Provides massage therapy instruction for self-care to patient and family as determined appropriate. Educates patients on healthy lifestyle including hydration, basic nutrition, stretching, exercise, mind-body techniques, sleep habits, stress management and other matters related to massage therapy care. Changes linen between patients, refilling oils, cleaning massage table/chair/arm rest, and providing a clean, calm environment.
Therapies includes, but are not limited to, effleurage (stroking), petrissage (kneading), tapotement/percussion, friction, vibration, passive and active stretching, and draping. Utilizes mechanical tools and the external applications of water, heat, and cold to enhance therapeutic benefits. Incorporates knowledge of various systems of anatomy, physiology and pathology to apply a plan of care for those with a variety of soft tissue dysfunctions, stress related conditions and imbalances, utilizing a variety of techniques commonly taught in massage therapy schools.
Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday from 7:00am to 3:30pm. Telework: Not Available. Alternate Work Schedule: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: PD000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required.
Conditions of Employment
You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
How You Will Be Evaluated
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.
Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position.
You will be assessed on the following Competencies for this position: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.
You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
Additional Information
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date.
The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
How to Apply
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include the initial online questionnaire and submission of the required documentation specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. To preview the application questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12903939. The application process is as follows: To begin, click Apply Online to create a USA JOBS account or log in to your existing account.
Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date, 03/30/2026. If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email.
The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link.
Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments.
You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. Set aside at least 3 hours to take the USA Hire Assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link.
NOTE: Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused. Visit the USA Hire Applicant Resource Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation resources at https://support-usahire.opm.gov/hc/en-us.
To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To view the announcement status or your application status: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to.
Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: Resume Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.
Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field. The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.
Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) License Resume PCS Orders Performance Appraisal Professional Certification Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire.
You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form.
Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.