Health Technician (Massage Therapy)

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

GS 05 - Entry Level
Health Technician (Massage Therapy) at this level perform basic massage therapy services under close supervision. The technician functions independently in applying basic massage services. Basic massage therapy includes, but is not limited to effleurage (stroking), petrissage (kneading), tapotement/percussion, friction, vibration, passive and active stretching, and draping. The Health Technician (Massage Therapy) is responsible for changing linen between clients, refilling oils, cleaning massage table/chair/arm rest, and providing a clean, calm environment.

GS 06 - Developmental Level
Employees at this grade level serve as developmental Health Technicians (Massage Therapy) and perform treatments which are routine and standardized in nature. The Health Technician (Massage Therapy) provides treatments in various inpatient and outpatient settings, in accordance with applicable policies and procedures. Health Technicians (Massage Therapy) perform a substantially full range of duties, but receive guidance and directions regarding unfamiliar or unusual situations for more complex patient issues.

GS 07 - Full Performance Level
The Health Technician (Massage Therapy) interprets relevant clinical information to identify each patient's population-specific needs, identify indications/contraindications for massage, and develop the plan of care. Health Technicians (Massage Therapy), at this level, are responsible to perform massage therapy services with complexity higher than the developmental level. The Health Technician (Massage Therapy) performs duties with limited supervision and seeks assistance from the supervisor in urgent or emergent circumstances. The Health Technician (Massage Therapy) evaluates patient responses to treatment and documents responses to treatment, by maintaining accurate records in an electronic environment. The Health Technician (Massage Therapy) coordinates follow up massage therapy as necessary. Health Technicians (Massage Therapy), at this level, serve as consultants to the health care team in the evaluation and treatment of the patient. Under routine academic oversight, the Health Technician (Massage Therapy) assists with clinical supervision of massage therapy students

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional


Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm, Subject to change based on the needs of the facility.
Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (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 #: 00385F,00386F,00387F
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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/Certification. (Upload license, registration, or certification with application)
  • (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).
  • 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.

Grade Determinations:
Health Technician (Massage Therapy), GS-05.Experience. None beyond the basic requirements
.
Health Technician (Massage Therapy), GS-06.Experience. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level.
In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

• Skill to provide massage techniques including draping, using the appropriate tools, supplies, and equipment based on the needs of the patient; Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathology, therapeutic effects, and evidence based practice of massage therapy;
• Ability to work with an interdisciplinary team in a health care setting;
• Knowledge of all patient safety procedures, rules, and regulations as they pertain to a clinical environment; and
• Ability to effectively communicate verbally/non-verbally and in writing (through a variety of modalities).

Health Technician (Massage Therapy), GS-07.
Experience. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-6 grade level performing massage therapy.In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

• Ability to assess the physical and mental status of patients (including history and physical assessment), interpret the appropriate information to identify each patient's population-specific needs, identify indications/contraindications for massage, develop the plan of care, and monitor their response to treatment;
• Ability to use various communication techniques to encourage and educate individuals and groups to enhance massage therapy outcomes;
• Skill in developing and maintaining strong interpersonal relationships; and
• Ability to advise staff and students in massage therapy practices.

Preferred Experience: 2 years of experience with massage therapy working with individual patients in a clinical care setting


The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-7.

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

References: VA Handbook 5005/18, Part II Appendix G56, HEALTH TECHNICIAN (MASSAGE THERAPY) Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.

Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typicalfor this occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination. Work is sedentarybut also demands standing, walking, bending, twisting, and carrying light items.
Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires
normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the
work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes
stressful situations.

Travel: Occasional travel is required of this position. Travel will be for a variety of reasons,
including but not limited to: accommodating employee and veterans at the Community Based
Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) when necessary.
Driving: The incumbent has an incidental function necessary to perform the duties of the position,
regularly and recurringly drives a government-owned or leased vehicle. Therefore, a valid driver's
license is required.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

• 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.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.