Choosing your Career in Massage Therapy

As a student massage therapist getting closer to your end goal of becoming either a registered or licensed massage therapist I’m sure you are still trying to figure out what you want to do.

As with any choices you make there are pros and cons to each.

Massage Therapy Jobs

Spa Massage

There are always spas that are looking to hire massage therapists. If you find a great place you can earn a good salary along with tips.

It is important that you visit the spa, get background information on the spa itself and speak to any of the massage therapists currently there.

There are a variety of spas out there with different specializations. More and more spas are popping up all over as it is a lucrative business venture for the owner.

For example a medical spa is generally more concerned about treating specific ailments, conditions or disease.

Day spas generally focus on taking your stress away and relaxation. They may ask you to incorporate sales for a product line they carry and offer you commission as an incentive.

The spa may offer you a base massage therapy salary with an incentive program and benefits. You need to do your research and ask many questions.

Keep in mind that unless you are in a downtown core, your hours for massage may be all over the place!

You may also find work in a resort spa. Again make sure you are thorough during your interview with many questions.

Location should be important for you as some places may want you to be on call for emergency fill in.

It is vital that find out who does the booking, who is responsible for the sheets and lotion. Generally most spas take care of that for you. This is one those “perks”.

Sports Massage

Sports medicine clinics usually already have one or two massage therapists that specialize in sports massage .

If you are well connected and have experience working in sports it will be easier to find work. You still have to “pay your dues”.

Many massage therapists in sports medicine clinics have put in a lot of volunteer time to be in the clinic they practice in.

It is even more challenging to have massage therapy employment with a semi professional or professional sports team. Semi – professional sports may not have the money to pay you your worth.

Professional sports will pay very good money for your expertise but also expect high quality work in return. One little blunder and you are quickly replaced.

It is for this reason it is a good idea to get yourself certified as a sports massage therapist

Nursing Homes and/or Hospitals

Massage therapy employment in a nursing home is most likely going to be part time. In this situation you may treat either the resident or one one of the family members.

You may have your own little room, you may be out in the lunch room or common area or you may even be in room of the resident.

Payment may be either through the nursing home or the client themselves.

Hospitals are beginning to understand the value of massage therapists on staff not only for their patients but also for their employees.

You may be able to rent out a room for your practice as well as go mobile within the hospital. Paying rent helps in small way to offset some of the hospitals costs.

Furthermore, working in a hospital allows you to create contacts and open up other opportunities!

Fitness or Health Clubs

This one can be tricky. do you rent space or do you have an employment contract. If you decide to leave make sure you take your files with you.

Different cities, regions and provinces / states have different regulation as far as clinic files go. It is important that you understand that before  working in a gym.

Facility owners get very possessive of “their” clientele so make sure you know the rules and regulation before you enter a contract with a gym owner.

Again in this situation you have a few options: rent, percent split or salary.

you need to know if you get free access to the facility as part of the agreement and will the owner and /or  staff receive complimentary treatment.

You may also want to split your time between a few fitness facilities in your neighborhood. This way you can build a clientele and if you decide to leave you have clients that will see you elsewhere.

Chiropractor’s Office

Most chiropractors like the idea of having a massage therapist on staff. First they feel it complements them in the work they do. Next it helps them cut down their expenses and may even add to their bottom line.

It is vital that you thoroughly go over any agreement or contract with them. As with most facility or other business owners they put in a NON COMPETE CLAUSE.

Some things in an agreement or contract  you should look for:

• non compete clause -ie if you were to leave to set up your clinic what is distance it has to be away from the clinic
• time line for notice of leave
• vacation time

These are just a few things to consider. Take your time going through the contract and if necessary have a lawyer look at it.

You need to cover your assets!

Rent

Are you renting the space and what is covered in your monthly rent – sheets, lotion and or reception. Are you doing your own bookings or is it through their reception?

Percent Split

If you are on percentage split is there a ceiling or is it the percentage agreed too. How many hours do they want you to be there. Are you expected to things that not directly massage related -ie. volunteer work, staff meetings. how does it work for taking time off. remember when you are off either sick, on vacation or taking course there s no money going to the chiropractor.

Do you need to find a replacement?

For both renting and percentage split are you limited in the services you provide. Imagine you pay close to or over $500.00 for a “Hot Stone” massage course  and find out that you are not allowed to use it in your practice.

Does the chiropractor want you push specialty products such as neck pillows or their own nutritional line to your clients. Again make sure what you do is within your scope of practice.

Mobile  Massage

Mobile massage my be considered massage on wheels. For this type of business you need a good solid portable massage table .

There are a few different options for this. You could do house calls or go to business or a combination of both.  as previously mentioned you need to get a massage table, linen and lots of gel or lotion for treatments. One of things you need to consider when looking into this option is your car mileage, car insurance and gas bills.

It is possible if you are working in a downtown core to use the local transit. An other option for a mobile business is to base yourself out of downtown office and only make visits within a certain radius. It is possible you could have enough clients in one building.

Either way you need to ask yourself how much traveling are you willing to do each day to be able to pay the bills.

Multidisciplinary Clinic

In this type of setting you will be part of a healthcare facility that also has nutritionists, homeopathic or naturopathic doctors and acupuncturists plus other healthcare related specialties. This is a great opportunity to learn and share information.

Rehabilitation Clinic

Obviously in school you learn treatments for many conditions that range from acute to chronic. This makes you a valuable asset to a rehabilitation center.

Again like anything else you want to do your research on the center itself and see if it will be a good fit for you.

Teaching

Do you have good communication skills. Did you help out your classmates when they got stuck?

If you answered yes to any of these questions you may want to look into teaching at a massage therapy school. Perhaps you may teach your favorite subject.

You must do your research because all massage therapy schools are not the same. All schools each have their own politics and you find this at any place of work.

Here are some things you need to consider:

• Location – will it cost more in gas than what you receive in pay

• Subject to teach – do you know the material

• Support – what kind of support does the school offer you

• Classroom size- are the classes greater than 10, 20 or 30 students

• Scheduling -will it interfere with your own private practice

• Pay – what can you earn and how often and how do you get paid? – cheque or direct transfer to your account?

• Benefits – do you qualify for benefits or extended health care?

These are just a few things to keep in mind if you want to go in this direction. Teaching is not for everyone; however it is great platform for public speaking!

Massage Therapy for Motor Vehicle Accidents (MVA)

There are clinics that are run by either physiotherapists or chiropractors that treat people who have been in a car accident. Payment for their therapy is through their car insurance.

There are a few challenges with this group of clients. First there is a lot of paper that needs to be filled out and prepared.

Second and probably the most challenging is receiving payment for services rendered. It is possible that you will wait anywhere from 3 to 6 months before getting paid.

If MVA is the source of your income you will find that your payment will significantly change from pay to pay.

Private Practice

It is very common for many massage therapists to have their own private practice. Some people do this straight from the start once they receive their registration or license.

It is more common to begin elsewhere first and create contacts over a few years then start your own private practice. The question is whether or not you want to work out of your house or rent space in a building.

The challenge with having your own practice is staying in the loop with current events. In this situation more than any, you can truly set your own hours.

The only person you have to answer to is the landlord of your property (this can be either a good thing or a bad thing.)

Key Points To Remember

Due your research or due diligence before signing a contract or business agreement. You need to know if you are responsible to building your clientele or is the place of work going to help you.

Find out if there are any additional marketing costs such as paying for advertising in either the yellow pages or online 411.

Are you responsible for helping clean the clinic or is it the owners responsibility.

Are you expected to volunteer at certain functions or become a member of the local chamber of commerce?

Are you or the clinic responsible for business cards?

Are the clinic owners possessive of your client files. If you decide to leave your place of employment who is responsible for your client files?

Is there a specific dress code or uniform /scrubs you need to wear?

Are there weekly / monthly staff meetings and if so is attendance mandatory?

Is there a yearly allowance given for continuing education courses?

If you are on a commission split are there specific rules for time off for either courses or vacation?

These are just a few things you need to keep in mind.

You have choices to make. The field of massage therapy has both amazing personal and financial rewards ready for you.

Best of luck of luck in choosing your massage therapy career!