Position Summary
The Massage Therapy Instructor is responsible for providing high-quality classroom and hands-on instruction to students enrolled in the Massage Therapy program. The instructor will teach massage techniques, anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, pathology, client assessment, professional ethics, safety and sanitation, and other subjects included within the approved curriculum.
The instructor is responsible for creating an engaging, professional, and supportive learning environment while ensuring students develop the technical skills, professional behaviors, and client-care standards necessary for entry-level employment and applicable state licensure requirements.
Essential Job Responsibilities
Instruction & Student Development
- Deliver classroom and hands-on instruction in accordance with the approved curriculum, lesson plans, and program objectives.
- Demonstrate massage therapy techniques, procedures, body mechanics, draping, client positioning, and professional practices.
- Provide hands-on instruction and supervision during laboratory, practical, and student clinic activities.
- Incorporate real-world professional experience and examples into classroom and practical instruction.
- Evaluate student knowledge and skill development through written examinations, practical assessments, assignments, and classroom participation.
- Provide timely feedback, coaching, and additional assistance to students who are struggling academically or technically.
- Prepare students for applicable state licensing examinations and professional credentialing requirements.
- Encourage students to develop strong communication, professionalism, client-service, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills.
- Promote student retention, academic success, program completion, licensure, and career readiness.
Massage Therapy Instruction
Provide instruction in areas that may include:
- Anatomy and physiology
- Kinesiology
- Pathology and contraindications
- Massage theory and principles
- Swedish massage
- Deep tissue and other applicable massage modalities
- Client consultation and assessment
- Treatment planning
- Proper draping and client positioning
- Body mechanics and therapist self-care
- Safety, sanitation, and infection control
- Professional ethics and boundaries
- Documentation and client records
- Business and professional practices
- Applicable massage therapy laws and regulations
- Preparation for state licensing examinations and/or the MBLEx, as applicable
Classroom, Laboratory & Clinic Management
- Maintain a safe, sanitary, organized, professional, and productive classroom, laboratory, and student clinic environment.
- Ensure students consistently follow established sanitation, infection-control, safety, and client-care procedures.
- Supervise students during hands-on practice and student clinic services to ensure techniques are performed safely and appropriately.
- Reinforce proper draping, informed consent, professional boundaries, confidentiality, and ethical conduct.
- Monitor the proper use, storage, sanitation, and maintenance of massage tables, linens, supplies, equipment, and instructional materials.
- Reinforce professional conduct, attendance, punctuality, appearance, teamwork, and workplace expectations.
- Maintain appropriate instructor/student and student/client professional boundaries at all times.
Student Records & Compliance
- Accurately record student attendance, grades, practical competencies, academic progress, and other required documentation.
- Complete required records and reports within established deadlines.
- Monitor student attendance and academic performance and promptly communicate concerns in accordance with school procedures.
- Participate in student advising, academic interventions, and retention efforts as needed.
- Ensure instruction and documentation comply with Milan Institute policies, curriculum requirements, accreditation standards, and applicable state and federal regulations.
Faculty & Campus Responsibilities
- Participate in faculty meetings, training, professional development, and campus activities.
- Collaborate with faculty, administration, Career Services, and other departments to support student success.
- Maintain current knowledge of massage therapy techniques, professional standards, state regulations, and industry practices.
- Assist with curriculum review and recommend improvements based on changes within the massage therapy profession.
- Support student orientations, campus events, employer activities, and other school initiatives as assigned.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Required
- High school diploma or GED required.
- Graduate of an approved Massage Therapy program.
- Minimum of 3 years of professional massage therapy experience or the amount required by applicable state and accrediting agency standards.
- Current and active Massage Therapist license, registration, or certification as required by the state in which the campus operates.
- Demonstrated knowledge of massage therapy techniques, anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, pathology, sanitation, professional ethics, and client care.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to explain technical and anatomical concepts to students with varying levels of experience and learning abilities.
- Strong organizational and classroom management skills.
- Ability to work effectively with students, faculty, staff, and campus leadership.
- Must meet all applicable state, accrediting agency, and institutional faculty qualification requirements.
License/Certification
- Must maintain an active massage therapy license, certification, or registration as required by applicable state law throughout employment.
- Must meet any instructor-specific licensing or approval requirements established by the applicable state regulatory agency.
- Current CPR/First Aid certification preferred or required where applicable.
- MBLEx or other applicable professional credential preferred.
Preferred
- Previous teaching, training, mentoring, or supervisory experience.
- Experience working in a spa, clinical, chiropractic, wellness, or other professional massage therapy environment.
- Experience with multiple massage modalities.
- Experience preparing students or candidates for the MBLEx or state licensing examination.
- Familiarity with learning management systems and educational technology.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
The successful candidate should demonstrate:
- Strong technical knowledge of massage therapy principles and practices.
- Thorough understanding of anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, pathology, contraindications, and client safety.
- Ability to translate professional experience into effective classroom and hands-on instruction.
- Strong understanding of professional ethics, boundaries, confidentiality, and appropriate therapist-client relationships.
- Patience and enthusiasm for working with students who are developing new technical skills.
- Strong coaching and mentoring abilities.
- Effective classroom leadership and student engagement skills.
- Ability to provide constructive feedback and hold students accountable for academic, attendance, safety, sanitation, and professional expectations.
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy in maintaining student records.
- Ability to adapt instruction to different learning styles and student needs.
- Professionalism, dependability, and a commitment to student success.
Physical Requirements
The position requires the ability to perform and demonstrate massage therapy techniques and the physical activities commonly associated with massage therapy instruction, including standing for extended periods, bending, reaching, positioning clients, and performing repetitive hand and upper-body movements.
The employee must be able to demonstrate proper massage techniques, body mechanics, positioning, and use of massage equipment and supplies, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Requirements
Required
- High school diploma or GED required.
- Graduate of an approved Massage Therapy program.
- Minimum of 3 years of professional massage therapy experience or the amount required by applicable state and accrediting agency standards.
- Current and active Massage Therapist license, registration, or certification as required by the state in which the campus operates.
- Demonstrated knowledge of massage therapy techniques, anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, pathology, sanitation, professional ethics, and client care.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to explain technical and anatomical concepts to students with varying levels of experience and learning abilities.
- Strong organizational and classroom management skills.
- Ability to work effectively with students, faculty, staff, and campus leadership.
- Must meet all applicable state, accrediting agency, and institutional faculty qualification requirements.
License/Certification
- Must maintain an active massage therapy license, certification, or registration as required by applicable state law throughout employment.
- Must meet any instructor-specific licensing or approval requirements established by the applicable state regulatory agency.
- Current CPR/First Aid certification preferred or required where applicable.
- MBLEx or other applicable professional credential preferred.
Preferred
- Previous teaching, training, mentoring, or supervisory experience.
- Experience working in a spa, clinical, chiropractic, wellness, or other professional massage therapy environment.
- Experience with multiple massage modalities.
- Experience preparing students or candidates for the MBLEx or state licensing examination.
- Familiarity with learning management systems and educational technology.