They usually work for home health agencies, visiting nurse associations, hospices, hospitals or public health and welfare departments. Generally, they work on their own, with periodic visits from a supervisor who gives them detailed instructions about what services to perform. This, along with efforts to minimize healthcare costs by moving patients out of hospitals quickly, means there are always positions available. In some states, no formal training is needed. However, employers who receive Medicare reimbursement require 75 hours of classroom and practical training supervised by a registered nurse.
Most employers hire only on-call, hourly workers and provide no benefits.
However, some are paid on a salary or per-visit basis. With a variety of hands-on methods, a skilled massage therapist stretches and loosens muscle and connective tissue and improves blood and lymph flow throughout the body. A massage is effective in removing built-up metabolic waste and allowing oxygen and nutrients to better reach the cells and tissues. Massage therapists practice in a variety of settings. They work in their own businesses, hospitals, health clubs, sports training rooms, beauty salons and chiropractic offices.