● Develop methods and approaches to enhance public understanding of basic scientific concepts and biomedical research. Specialty Certification Through NCBTMB Ethical practice involves the obligation to work within the scope of practice. The scope corresponds to the training, education, experience and competence to provide client care using modalities that are effective for symptoms of specific conditions. To prepare the professional for their increased role as a provider in an integrated healthcare system, the NCBTMB offers three specialty certifications that align with the NCCIH Strategic Plan: Exploring the Science of Complementary and Integrative Health. According to the NCBTMB website (NCBTMB, 2016d): The creation of NCBTMB’s Specialty Certificate Program furthers the mission of defining and advancing standards by creating another career pathway for massage and bodywork therapists. By partnering with major healthcare organizations and academic programs across the country, specialty certification empowers current and future massage therapists with top-notch education and experience necessary to succeed in various environments or when working with specific populations. A specialty certificate symbolizes advanced education and training in a particular modality or when working with a specific population. The Specialty Certificate program assists graduates to meet requirements that both massage therapy leaders and healthcare organizations agree are necessary for the practitioner to address the healthcare needs of these diverse populations. The mission of the Specialty Certificate includes the following areas to (NCBTMB, 2016d): ● Further elevate the standards of massage therapy. ● Further massage therapy’s role in integrative healthcare. ● Provide therapists access to high-quality, advanced programs for specific modalities and populations. ● Ensure patients receive the best possible care. Conclusion As the popularity, integration, and acceptance of massage therapy and bodywork throughout the healthcare field continues to increase, so will the demand for professional practitioners who trained in a variety of techniques and well versed in the area of ethical practice. Therapists will need to expand their practice to keep pace with the profession that has expanded to treat a wide variety of mental and physical conditions, and a diverse client base. Many insurance companies cover massage and bodywork therapy as these professions are gaining acceptance and value in the medical community as collaborative partners. This growth requires the massage and bodywork professional to increase their knowledge in the field of ethics including confidentiality and privacy issues included in the HIPAA Rules that govern the electronic sharing, maintenance and storage of protected client information. These positive changes in the profession increase the need for comprehensive knowledge and application of the principles of ethical conduct as the profession joins mainstream acceptance in the community. Therapists will face increased regulation as they are integrated into medical models, so best practice for informed consent, records maintenance, confidentiality, privacy 3B Scientific Therapy and Wellness Insight. (2016). The Future of Massage Therapy - 2015 and Beyond. Retrieved November 20, 2016 from: http://blog.3bscientific.com/therapy_ wellness/ Adam, M.B. (2012). Adolescent Confidentially: An Uneasy Truce. Retrieved November 20, 2016 from https://cbhd.org/content/adolescent-confidentially-uneasy-truce Alliance for Massage Therapy Education. The Code of Ethics for Educators. (2012). Retrieved November 13, 2016 from: http://www.afmte.org/ References
The NCBTMB offers three areas of specialty certification as described below: 1. Massage Therapy for Integrative Healthcare This program is comprised of thirty nine semester hours and designed for students interested massage therapy and healthcare providers seeking to expand their clinical skills and knowledge in the field. Graduates of this program are prepared to work in direct client care settings to provide manipulation, massage, of the soft tissue structures of the body to prevent and alleviate pain, discomfort, muscle spasm, and stress, and to promote health and wellness. 2. Sports Massage The NCBTMB/AMTA Sports Massage Specialty Certificate Program provides a solid foundational overview on the subject via a series of six online classes (21.5 CEs) looking at the science and settings for sports massage and is enhanced by a face-to-face workshop (8 CEs) featuring techniques and applications most appropriate when working with athletes. The subject matter was designed to provide newer practitioners an overview of this important area of practice, while being detailed enough to give more veteran therapists a refresher of the current science in the field. 3. Military Veteran Massage A Specialty Certificate in Military Veteran Massage provides the education and experience necessary to offer safe, effective, and nurturing massage for those that experienced physical and/or psychological trauma while serving in the United States military during conflict and war. Students will explore the Guidelines applying six separate training modules focusing on Communication & Respect, Consent & Psychological Pressure, Competency & Scope of Practice, Boundaries & Power Differential, Discrimination, and Therapist Self Care (NCBTMB, 2016d). The NCBTMB has partnered with major healthcare and professional organizations, along with academic institutions across the country, to provide the highest standard of excellence in education and training. These programs will prepare practitioners to keep pace with growth and development within the profession of massage and bodywork in systems of integrated care. regulations, professional standards of conduct will be closely monitored as a condition of practice. Therapists must recognize the importance of evidence based practice modalities to ensure the safety of their clients. They must enhance their practice based on continued education and training from approved providers and remain within the scope of their practice and level of competency. Practitioners must rely on their professional standards, code of ethics, rules of conduct, state and federal regulations, organizational guidelines, and sound decision making models to inform their ethical practice. Massage and bodywork therapists are now integrated in health, fitness, and sports rehabilitation, and a variety of healthcare agencies and service providers. Corporate, educational, and government funded facilities will require strict adherence to ethical standards, state and federal regulations that protect the public. The professional therapists and bodywork professional must meet the challenge to adapt to the needs and demands of diverse communities with expanding health care needs. They must build a practice that projects high standards of ethical conduct and professional practice that welcomes all clients. American Massage Therapy Association. (2014). Top 5 Ways to Improve Client Communication. Retrieved April 7, 2016 from: https://www.amtamassage.org/articles/6/ Student_Experiaence_Newsletter/index.html American Massage Therapy Association. (2015). Code of Ethics . Retrieved April 7, 2016 from: https://www.amtamassage.org/About-AMTA/Core-Documents/Code- of_Ethics.html?utm_source=%2fabout%2fcodeofethics.html&utm_medium=web&utm_ campaign=redirect
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