Attend free open house Oct. 22 to learn more
Sept. 16, 2011
HARRISBURG –Massage therapy is among the region’s fastest growing occupations with many options for Pennsylvania licensed massage therapists.
Potential students and their families are invited to explore those flexible career options and more at a massage therapy open house from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, in room 203 at Hall Tech on the Harrisburg Campus of HACC, Central Pennsylvania's Community College.
Those who attend can tour the classroom space, meet instructors, get information on financial aid and view a presentation detailing the massage therapy program. The presentation begins promptly at 1:30 p.m.
HACC’s massage therapy program requires 700 hours, and is available in a seven-month, full-time format or a 12-month, part-time evening format. New classes for full-time students start in March and September; new classes for part-time students start in January and July.
HACC’s fully accredited program prepares individuals with the hands-on, clinical, ethical, business and communication skills that are required to enter the healthcare field as a massage therapist.
HACC also has a lineup of courses that meet state continuing education requirements for licensed massage therapists: “Massage in Long-Term Care” will be offered Sept. 28, Oct. 1 and 2; “Massage Therapy for the Iliopsoas and Quadratus Lumborum” will be offered Oct. 29; and “Event Sports Massage” will be offered Nov. 12 and 13. (Pennsylvania requires massage therapists to complete 24 CEU hours every two-year license renewal cycle.)
“Massage therapists can be employed in private or group massage practices, hospitals, wellness centers, and chiropractic offices; offer on-site chair massages in offices, airports or public events, health clubs and fitness centers; or be employed with sports teams and at spas and resorts, hotels, salons, and cruise ships,” said Nina Kottcamp, LMT, NCTM, coordinator of HACC’s massage therapy training program. “The average cost for a one-hour massage in the Harrisburg area ranges from $50-85 depending on the therapist’s training and experience,” she said.
The training also can be a valuable complement to registered nurses who want to add alternative therapies to their skill set, Kottcamp said.
Job prospects for massage therapists also include sports massage. Through a partnership with the Harrisburg City Islanders, HACC massage therapy students provide sports massage to members of the professional soccer team. The application of sports massage aids in the recovery process, helps maintain the health of the players and enhances their athletic performance.
HACC is fully accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. HACC’s Massage Therapy Program is a member of the American Therapy Association (AMTA) and Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP), and is approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) as a continuing education approved provider.
For more information, contact Nina Kottcamp at 717-221-1386 or via email at nmkottca@hacc.edu.
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