What’s Your Scope?

Recently I grazed across an article in Massage and Bodywork concerning how to best define what a body worker’s scope of practice is.  As a Massage Therapy provider with a relatively new role in the Health Care Field, it is crucial that I understand and effectively define what my scope of practice is.  After One year and almost Six months of service with SLIERS Nampa North outpatient facility, and as a team Massage Therapist with the local Arena2 football team the Boise Burn www.boiseburn.com , I have learned how to better operate as a Massage Therapist within the realm of Physical Therapists, Athletic Trainers, Chiropractors, and Occupational Therapists, each with their own unique scope.  And through these experiences I am more comfortable operating independently as a Massage Therapist while maintaining the integrity of my own scope of practice, and the scope of my colleagues. 

 

First I had to operationally define my scope of practice.  Over the next few days I will Post suggestions for other Massage Therapists working alongside an assortment of Health Care Professionals. [Some of these concepts are paraphrased from McIntosh, Nina. “What’s your scope of Practice?” Massage and Bodywork, p.130 May/June 2008.]

First off:

• Know Local and State Regulations:

-In Idaho there are no state Licensure requirements for Massage therapists.

-A Massage therapist (should) obtain a city business license if in sole proprietary business work.

-Although not regulated by our state municipality, It is a requirement that any Massage Therapist working with SLIERS have a certificate of completion in Massage therapy from an accredited school.

-It is highly recommended to obtain further credentialing through a National agency such as National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCTMB), Medical Massage National Certification Board, or to have legitimate training in any area of extensive bodywork modalities such as Rolfing, Myofascial Release, Lymphedema, or Cranio-Sacral work, not to mention many other valid modalities.  KNOW YOUR ETHICAL BOUNDARIES, as stated in your credentialing agency’s code of ethics, and demonstrate caution with multidimensional relationships.

-If working in a state that requires licensure (such as Oregon), a Massage Therapist must obtain Licensure from the appropriate municipal board (sometimes this could be county, or city depending on the area of the country).

-Extend your credentialing leverage through liability insurance with an accredited agency (such as AMTA or ABMP) –if working as a sole proprietor this is a must!

Paul Greear

Therapy Tech

MCTMB Massage Therapist

Nampa North Outpatient Facility