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Massage Therapist Job Description: Top Duties and Requirements

A Massage Therapist, or Masseuse, treats and prevents physical problems, injuries, and pain in soft muscle tissue. Their main duties and responsibilities include assessing a patient’s soft tissue, manipulating soft tissue to provide relief from pain, and improving the patient’s mobility through manipulation that improves circulation.

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Massage Therapist duties and responsibilities

A Massage Therapist is responsible for helping patients recover from injuries or deal with chronic pain. Some of the main duties and responsibilities a Massage Therapist will likely include:

  • Knead and massage muscles and soft tissue
  • Assess the root cause of pain
  • Utilize a wide range of manipulation techniques to reduce pain
  • Keep excellent records of patient health and treatment options
  • Explain the causes of pain to each patient clearly and properly explain how to complete strengthening exercises at home
  • Increase a patient’s range of motion
  • Work with or contact other health care providers as needed to ensure the patient receives the best quality care
  • Promote relaxation for clients to ensure the maximum benefit of the massage
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Massage Therapist Job Description Examples:

What does a Massage Therapist do?

A Massage Therapist helps patients in many settings including private practice, a spa or fitness facility, hospital or healthcare clinic, rehabilitation centre, long-term care facility, or educational institution. They are responsible for assessing pain and physical issues with each patient’s soft tissue. They should be able to work together with various healthcare practitioners, such as physicians or physiotherapists, to help reduce or control the patient’s pain.

Massage Therapist skills and qualifications

The most successful Massage Therapist candidate will possess the skills to offer patients the best quality care in recovering from injury and preventing further injuries. They should also have the skills necessary to treat several different types of problems using various massage techniques. Some common skills and qualifications to expect in a successful Massage Therapist candidate include:

  • Massage Therapy certification from the appropriate institute in their province
  • Must complete supervised practical training hours prior to applying
  • Possess excellent critical thinking skills
  • Must be organized and keep excellent records
  • Must be patient and understanding
  • Must have specialized training in various areas as needed by the institution

Massage Therapist experience requirements

A successful Massage Therapist candidate will have the standard 18-24 month certification from the governing institution in their province. Ideal candidates will also have practical experience under the supervision of a licensed Massage Therapist or Practitioner.

Massage Therapist education and training requirements

The main requirement for a Massage Therapist is certification from the appropriate training institute in their province. Candidates in British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Ontario must receive their certification from their regulated provincial College of Massage Therapists. Candidates in all other provinces may obtain Canadian Massage Therapy Council Accreditation (CMTCA) certification.

All candidates across Canada are required to complete training through practical hours under the supervision of the institution.

Massage Therapist salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average hourly wage for a Massage Therapist is $50.68. Pay will vary based on a variety of factors including location, experience, and the type of institution hiring.

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Massage Therapist job description FAQs

What is the difference between a Massage Therapist and an Occupational Therapist?

Occupational therapy is the assessment and treatment of pain, usually caused by a serious injury to the bones or muscles, using prescribed activities. The goal of occupational therapy is to help a patient maintain or get back to their original performance level. Massage Therapists work to prevent common injuries for athletes, or even help patients prevent injuries as they age. Massage therapy treatment and prevention is limited to soft tissue problems.

What are good qualities in a Massage Therapist?

A good candidate will be patient, understanding, and be capable of listening to a patient describe what they are feeling. They must also demonstrate critical thinking skills and excellent collaborative skills.

What are the day-to-day duties of a Massage Therapist?

A Massage Therapist should be able to assess a patient’s pain, advance healing through physical manipulation of soft tissue, and greatly improve a patient’s range of mobility. They must be able to offer advice to aid patients in caring for their injuries at home. They must take excellent notes of patient progress, and communicate openly with other medical health professionals caring for the patient to ensure the best quality care.

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