Massage_Therapist_SOW.doc

MEDICAL MASSAGE THERAPIST

1. QUALIFICATIONS.

1.1 A current, unrestricted license to practice Massage Therapy in any one of the fifty States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, or the U.S. Virgin Islands.

1.2 The contract Medical Massage Therapist shall possess a minimum of two (2) years active massage therapy practice experience in which he/she consistently administered both diagnosis and treatment services. A minimum of two (2) years within the past three (3) years in the active practice of massage therapy care. Experience providing services to individuals with pain and/or medical conditions is preferred. The Contractor shall ensure that the contract service provider has sufficient training and experience to effectively provide medical massage therapy services for DOD and VA beneficiaries.

2. TYPE OF WORK. The duties include but are not limited to the following:

2.1 Serves as a Medical Massage Therapist offering a full array of the most current and emerging evidence-based Integrative Medicine approaches for patients with acute and chronic pain who have not responded well to conventional treatment modalities in accordance with the scope of clinical privileges granted by the MTF. The purpose of the work is to restore maximum health, functional independence, and productivity to patients with various acute and chronic pain conditions.

2.2 Examine all patients prior to initiating a treatment procedure or providing appropriate services. Evaluates the neuromusculoskeletal system using standard systems of diagnosis. Determines if medical massage is suitable for the patient by questioning, observing, and examining patients as well as reviewing patient’s drug therapies, health, and medical histories. Obtains patients’ medical histories. Considers medical contraindications to massage including deep vein thrombosis, bleeding disorders, or blood thinners, damaged blood vessels, weakened bones from cancer, osteoporosis, or fractures, and fever or acute virus/illness prior to initiating treatment.

2.3 Performs the full scope of medical massage therapy services for eligible beneficiaries. Performs massage therapy procedures and modalities effective for a variety of musculoskeletal pain and medical conditions through the practice of manipulation of the soft body tissues with physical, functional, i.e. mechanical, medical/therapeutic, and in some cases, psychological purposes and goals. Incorporates massage therapy modalities such as Swedish, Shiatsu, Thai or deep tissue massage, Lomilomi, myofascial release, strain counterstrain, manual lymphatic drainage, reflexology, acupressure, sports massage, craniosacral and soft tissue therapy or neuromuscular massage with specialization in several modalities, which require different highly specialized techniques. Uses complementary aids, such as infrared lamps, wet compresses, ice, and whirlpool baths in order to promote the patient’s care and well-being.

2.4 Counsel’s patients on nutrition, exercise, sleeping habits, stress management, and other matters related to massage therapy care.

2.5 All patient contact and care shall be safe, timely, result in achievement of realistic and documented treatment goals, and comply with or satisfy the intent of the referring medical staff.

2.6 Plan and prepare written treatment programs based on an evaluation of the patient.

2.7 Applicant shall possess effective communication skills to verbalize treatment planning recommendations and function as an effective multidisciplinary team member in resolving inter-professional differences.

2.8 Record treatment, response, and progress in patient's AHLTA chart. Patient encounters shall be completed within 3 days (72 hours) of the appointment.

2.9 Advises patient about recommended courses of treatment and follow-up care. Instruct patient and family in treatment procedures to be continued at home.

2.10 Coordinate treatment with physician and other staff members to obtain additional patient information, suggest revisions in treatment program and integrate massage therapy treatment with other aspects of the patient's health care. Contact referring physicians regarding patient care concerns, as indicated.

2.11 Provide documented treatment and discharge recommendations to members of the staff in routine, emergency, and special cases as needed.

2.12 Provide input and attend team meetings, seminars, and quality assurance meetings. Serves as a member of a multidisciplinary team to provide assessments, planning, implementation, coordination, evaluation, and monitoring of patients for health options and services.

2.13 Serves as consultant to leadership on massage therapy care.

2.14 Participate in peer review activities.

2.15 Provide clinical supervision to assistants, technicians, aides, and students.

2.16 Broad knowledge of computers and related software to include word processing, spreadsheet, data base management, statistical applications and intranet and internet connection and applications.

2.17 Document time worked in the automated Work hour Tracking System, DMHRSi on a weekly basis. Final work hour documentation must be submitted electronically at the end of the month.

2.18 Maintain patient privacy and comply with the provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).