Health Technician (Massage Therapy)

About the Role

The Health Technician‑Massage Therapist at the full performance level is responsible for performing massage therapy services in a complex and variable patient population within the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service outpatient clinic at the Dallas Campus of the VA North Texas Health Care System.

Qualifications

• Citizenship: United States citizenship required; non‑citizens may be appointed only when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA policy.
• Education: Completion of a minimum 500‑hour massage therapy education program.
• Licensure/Registration/Certification:
  • Current license, registration, or certification to practice as a massage therapist in a U.S. state, territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, with successful completion of the 500‑hour program and passage of the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork) or an equivalent state‑issued exam; or
  • Board certification from the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB).
• English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in written and spoken English for direct patient‑care duties.
• Grade Determination (GS‑8 – Advanced Clinical Level):
  • At least one year of progressive experience equivalent to the GS‑7 grade level.
  • Demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) including advanced massage techniques, anatomy/physiology/pathology knowledge, ability to modify techniques for specialty populations, teaching methods, research and quality‑improvement activities, and knowledge of complementary integrative and holistic health principles.

Assignment & Responsibilities

• Provide a full range of complex massage treatment procedures and modalities, including but not limited to reflexology, injury rehabilitation, lymphatic drainage, neuromuscular therapy, myofascial release, and craniosacral work.
• Deliver 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.
• Coordinate veteran schedules with interdisciplinary team members.
• Review referrals and medical records to assess appropriateness of massage therapy, identify risks or contraindications, and guide evaluation.
• Conduct complex massage therapy assessments using structured interviews, direct observation, standardized testing, and record review; formulate treatment plans and coordinate follow‑up care.
• Provide education on self‑care techniques to patients, caregivers, and employees, including healthy lifestyle guidance (hydration, nutrition, stretching, strengthening, mind‑body techniques, sleep, stress management).
• Mentor and serve as a subject‑matter expert for other massage therapists, assisting with educational and research activities.
• Participate in process‑improvement and quality‑improvement initiatives related to massage therapy and holistic care.
• Collect, identify, and analyze aggregate patient care information to ensure safety and quality of care.
• Provide patient‑care coverage to other PM&R clinics as needed.
• Maintain knowledge of reusable medical equipment (RME) processes.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Preferred Experience

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

Physical Requirements

• Up to 4–6 hours of sitting, walking, standing, twisting, bending, stooping, reaching (including overhead), grasping, and fine manipulation (e.g., typing).
• Up to 3–4 hours of straight pulling, hand‑over‑hand pulling, pushing, climbing, and kneeling.
• Lifting and carrying light to moderate loads (up to 44 lb).
• Functional hearing (with or without aids) and vision requirements (near vision correctable to 13‑16 inches; far vision correctable to 20/20 in one eye and 20/40 in the other; depth perception; color discrimination).
• Use of both hands and both legs; ability to sit for meetings, administrative work, and occasional driving.
• Ability to drive a motor vehicle.
• Physical stress and strain such as transferring patients, crouching, crawling on mats, and occasional self‑defense against combative patients.
• Exposure to infectious diseases and medical/psychiatric emergencies.

Work Schedule

Monday – Friday, 08:00 am – 4:30 pm; PRN weekend and holiday coverage. Telework is not available; this is not a virtual position.