Hailey Tran
Massage therapy is an increasingly popular career choice, with the profession growing in importance in the health and wellness sectors. Massage therapists work in a variety of settings, including their own practice, clinics, hospitals, chiropractic offices, spas, and clients' homes. To become a hospital massage therapist, one must first become a licensed massage therapist (LMT) by completing a massage therapy education program, which requires 300-1,000 hours of training. Following this, one can take the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx) and obtain board certification by passing the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTB) Exam. Hospital massage therapists focus on providing massage therapy services to patients in a hospital setting, often to treat a condition diagnosed by a doctor. They may work at a patient's bedside, navigating medical equipment and IVs, and their schedules may be interrupted due to the unpredictable nature of hospital settings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Work Environment | Hospitals, clinics, or patients' homes |
| Work Hours | Full-time or part-time |
| Qualifications | Certificate or degree in massage therapy, skills in different types of massage techniques, and a license to operate as a massage therapist |
| Training | 300-1,000 hours of training to prepare for the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx). Additional training for board certification |
| Responsibilities | Providing massages to patients for a variety of lengths, using various massage techniques to manipulate muscles and soft tissue to treat chronic pain and injuries, listening and explaining various aspects of medical massage to patients |
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What You'll Learn
Massage therapy qualifications
Education
Massage therapy programs are offered at specialty schools and community colleges, with curricula ranging from 300 to 1,000 hours of training. Some programs offer a minimum of 500 in-class hours, while others provide a more comprehensive curriculum that includes general education courses. The length of these programs varies, with some taking 12 to 16 months to complete, while others may take up to 20 months.
Licensing
To obtain a license, individuals must pass the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx). This license allows massage therapists to work in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, and spas. However, it's important to note that some states, like Maryland, distinguish between Registered Massage Practitioners and Licensed Massage Therapists, with only the latter authorized to work in healthcare settings.
Board Certification
While not required in all states, board certification indicates a higher level of achievement beyond entry-level licensure. The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) grants board certification to professionals who work in various practice settings. Obtaining board certification typically involves completing additional training and passing the NCBTMB Exam.
Skills
In addition to formal qualifications, massage therapists should possess skills in different types of massage techniques. These may include Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, sports massage, and trigger point therapy, among others. Proficiency in these techniques allows massage therapists to address a range of patient needs, from pain relief and injury rehabilitation to muscle relaxation and stress reduction.
Work Environment
It is important to be flexible and adaptable to the healthcare environment when working as a hospital massage therapist. Hospital massage therapists may work at a patient's bedside, navigating around medical equipment and interruptions from healthcare staff or family members. The scheduling in a hospital setting may also be less predictable than in a spa or private practice.
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Massage therapy career options
Massage therapy is a rewarding career option for those who want to help people in a meaningful way. Massage therapists work in a variety of settings, including owning and operating their own practice, working in clinics, hospitals, chiropractic offices, and even at clients' homes or businesses. The largest percentage of practicing therapists, 76%, are sole practitioners, with 25% working in healthcare settings and 24% in spas.
To become a massage therapist, one must first pursue licensure. This requires completing an education program offering a minimum of 500 in-class hours, with some programs offering up to 1000 hours of training. These programs prepare individuals to take the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx). After becoming a licensed massage therapist, one can receive board certification by completing additional training and passing the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTB) Exam. Board certification is the highest voluntary credential available to massage therapists.
For those interested in working in a hospital setting, there are additional considerations. Medical massage therapists have advanced training and experience that allows them to provide care focused on healing injuries, improving function, or increasing circulation. They work closely with doctors to treat patients affected by pain, illness, or injury. They may receive orders from a physician regarding the type of massage treatment to give and can be paid through the patient's health insurance.
To work in a hospital setting, massage therapists must be licensed or credentialed. While most states do not differentiate between licensing for medical and non-medical massage therapists, some states, like Maryland, only authorize Licensed Massage Therapists to work in healthcare settings. Prospective hospital massage therapists should also be prepared for the unique work environment, which may include working at a patient's bedside, navigating medical equipment, and dealing with interruptions and unpredictable scheduling.
Overall, massage therapy offers a wide array of career options, including the opportunity to work in hospitals and make a meaningful impact on patients' health and well-being.
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Massage therapy work environment
Hospital massage therapists, specifically, work in hospitals and medical clinics. They need to be flexible in the healthcare environment, as there are some major differences between working in a hospital or clinic and a spa. For example, a hospital massage therapist may work at a patient's bedside, navigating around medical equipment, IVs, and other obstacles. They will likely have to deal with harsh lighting and frequent interruptions. Scheduling is often unpredictable, as hospital massage therapists must work around patients' schedules and adjust to interruptions from the healthcare team or family members.
Hospital massage therapists may also have to perform additional tasks outside of massage therapy, such as scheduling, billing, housekeeping, and marketing. Their income levels can vary depending on the region, experience, and type of practice.
To work in a hospital setting, massage therapists must be licensed or credentialed. They can pursue board certification by completing additional training and passing the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTB) Exam. Some states, like Maryland, distinguish between Registered Massage Practitioners and Licensed Massage Therapists, with only the latter authorised to work in healthcare settings.
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Massage therapy income
Massage therapists can be paid in a variety of ways, including hourly, commission, salary, or salary plus tips. The national hourly wage for massage therapists in the United States is $26 an hour, although some therapists report earning $30-35 an hour in medical settings. The average salary for a massage therapist is $40.65 per hour in the United States, with a median annual wage of $57,950 in May 2024. Some therapists report earning $65-70 an hour with additional training and services.
It is worth noting that income from commission-based work can be inconsistent, as it depends on the number of clients booked. Therefore, some therapists prefer hourly or salary pay structures, which provide a more stable income.
Employment of massage therapists, including medical massage therapists, is expected to grow much faster than average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This growth is attributed to advances in medical research and increasing patient and provider interest in health promotion.
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Massage therapy board certification
To become a hospital massage therapist, you must first obtain a license to practice massage therapy. This typically involves completing a massage therapy education program, which may require 300-1,000 hours of training, to prepare you for the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx).
Once you have obtained your license, you can pursue board certification. Board certification is the highest credential within the massage and bodywork profession. It is administered by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) and indicates that a massage therapist has attained a higher level of achievement beyond entry-level licensure.
To receive board certification as a massage therapist, you must complete additional training and pass the NCBTMB exam. This exam demonstrates that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities to provide high-quality care to your clients and that you are part of a community dedicated to elevating the profession, your education, and your practice.
The NCBTMB website offers resources to help you prepare for the exam, including a candidate handbook, a practice exam, and exam preparation resources. By choosing to become board-certified, you demonstrate your advanced assessment and critical thinking abilities, which can provide credibility to current and prospective clients and employers.
In addition to board certification, you may also consider joining a professional association such as the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), which is the largest non-profit professional association representing massage therapy. AMTA membership requires upholding a Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, which can further enhance your credibility and professionalism as a massage therapist.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need a certificate or degree in massage therapy, skills in different types of massage techniques, and a license to operate as a massage therapist. You can obtain a certificate from specialty schools and community colleges. Massage therapy education programs may require 300-1,000 hours of training to prepare for the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx).
A hospital massage therapist provides massage therapy services to patients in a hospital setting. Treatments may include using various massage techniques to improve circulation, relieve pain, rehabilitate injuries, and relax muscles. Hospital massage therapists may also use touch therapy or massage techniques to ease a patient's anxiety or stress.
Hospital massage therapists work in healthcare settings, including hospitals and medical clinics. They may work at a patient's bedside, navigating around medical equipment, IVs, and other obstacles. The work environment may include harsh lighting and frequent interruptions. The scheduling is often unpredictable, and therapists need to work around the patient's schedule and adjust to interruptions.
Employment of massage therapists, including medical massage therapists, is expected to grow much faster than average. This growth is attributed to advances in medical research related to the use of massage therapy for medical purposes and increasing patient and provider interest in health promotion.
