Why is finding QUALITY massage therapists so hard these days???

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Permalink Reply by Harry Banek on January 31, 2011 at 10:28am

Contact the schools of massage therapy and talk to the career development counsellor. Cortiva only has a campus in Broomfield. Denver School of Massage Therapy has campuses in Aurora and Westminster. Massage Therapy Institute of Colorado has a campus in Denver. Colorado School of Healing Arts has a campus in Lakewood. I graduated from CSHA and Mark Soboleske sends out emails to alumni with job opportunities. You may be looking at newer graduates as your staff and I hope you do find others too.

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Permalink Reply by Marissa on January 31, 2011 at 3:19pm

First, congratulations on the expansion! Hard work does pay off!
Second, I agree with the school hunt. HOWEVER, do not just contact the school and the vocational contact. I tried that myself and proceeded to get nowhere. In the end, I contacted the massage director personally. A lot of school websites have e-mail links for the teachers/directors. I was able to get a couple of leads and ended up getting a fantastic Independent Contractor. Make sure you have a solid contract that if it doesn't work out, you will not get burned.
Third, don't give up! Good luck in your search.

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Permalink Reply by Daniel Cohen on January 31, 2011 at 3:30pm

We are an independent lot, which makes it more difficult to get experienced people. How are you promoting your system? Ask yourself why a good Therapist would be interested in sharing with you rather than continuing Outcall or working from their home.

Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by Sarah Witte on February 2, 2011 at 2:15pm

While it's true that Denver and Boulder are highly populated with CMT's, that doesn't make finding the right team any easier.  I am often contacted through AMTA with other massage opportunities.  Also, Ezekeil has a lot of good points;  we live in a state that values alternative health practices, as well as supporting small businesses.  

 

Things to consider:

1. Make sure you're staying true to what an IC status truly is.  

2. Consider commission scales based on experience, cont. ed, etc. 

3. Keep talking to therapists about their work pros/cons.  You can get really great ideas for improvements, and innovations when you listen! 

 

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Permalink Reply by Gregg Gonzales on February 2, 2011 at 4:30pm

Thank you all so much for responding. I think I was in a bout of frustration when I wrote it so I apologize! I know there are some phenomenal therapists out there that would love to be a part of what I have started here but I've just hit a bit of a road block. Your comments have re-focused me and I will keep my search up! Again, my thanks to everyone's thoughts and feedback!!

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Permalink Reply by Relax & Rejuvenate on February 5, 2011 at 12:21pm

You aren't alone. We have trouble finding people for FT Employee positions with benefits

 

You might want to revisit your structure -- providing everything to an IC is a slippery slope with the board of labor in your state. Best to consult a contract and labor atty to make sure you steer clear of any trouble in this regard.

 

CL and Schools are probably the best way to go. While it may seem bleak at times, in 10 years we have learned that there are more than enough MTs out there that before too long you will find the right one(s), but recruiting is an on-going task.

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Permalink Reply by Jenny Sweeney on February 8, 2011 at 1:36pm

Hi Gregg,

 

I'd recommend finding local massage schools and try to recruit through there. While new grads are inexperienced, if they do have proper training, they'll be ready to work! Plus, they won't have developed any bad habits (ie poor body mechanics, etc). Recent grads are so excited to start their career, they can't wait for the opportunity to start. I know its risky, but you could always meet up with the instructors and ask them to recommend their top students.

 

Also, the search engine simplyhired.com often has MT listings. Maybe post there?

 

Good luck!

Jenny

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Permalink Reply by Kay Warren on March 18, 2011 at 11:00pm

*commiserating laughter* I know exactly what you mean. Ran a clinic in CA, interviewed literally hundreds of therapists in 6 months time... most couldn't pass my verbal interview, and those who did would often utterly fail the physical interview. Some even failed walking in the door. We had 6 schools in the area, you'd think I could find someone with decent skills.  Found 2 with good hands and potential, but who weren't ready for the clinical end.  I place the blame squarely on schools. They can control who they accept, and who they pass, they just don't bother. Some actually think 200 hours is an acceptable level of training for a therapeutic massage. The students don't get squat for hands on palpation training, there is a lot of rote memorization, and when they graduate, they're told they can list 6 modalities after a 740 hour course. Utter crap.  I don't expect a new graduate to have my skillset, but if you walk into my office with a resume claiming that you are a Trigger Point specialist and yet you can't even tell me who Dr. Travell was, you fail.  When you do your physical interview with me, you get to document it afterward. If you can't, you fail. If you can't answer a phone,  I can't use you. If you wrinkle your nose and tell me you dont' want to work on anyone old, guess what? FAIL! Most of them have no concept of smooth.  If I could find one of those, who had a strong interest in the clinical, but wasn't ready for it yet, I could have started them in relaxation, and gradually trained them in the medical end. The one I wanted to hire had really good hands, but was choppy as hell.  She got upset when I told her I didn't have the time to train her in that, everyone told her she was good, so what was my problem? I told her to get on the table, and I showed her. She got what I meant really quick, and her attitude changed. I told her she had great hands, and excellent potential (which is a HIGH compliment from me) and that I'd like to hire her, but she wasn't ready enough.  I suggested that she work on smooth for 3 months, and come back.  She never came back.  I would have hired her too.  *grumble*  Some think I'm being a bitch, but my clients know what level of skills & service to expect from us, and asking them to pay the same rate for someone whose skills are sub-standard is not acceptable.

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Permalink Reply by Gregg Gonzales on March 19, 2011 at 10:50pm

Kay,

I LOVE your post! If you would like to, call me and we can discuss some more. You seem to be someone I could share a ton with!

Gregg
720-833-8908

Kay Warren said:

*commiserating laughter* I know exactly what you mean. Ran a clinic in CA, interviewed literally hundreds of therapists in 6 months time... most couldn't pass my verbal interview, and those who did would often utterly fail the physical interview. Some even failed walking in the door. We had 6 schools in the area, you'd think I could find someone with decent skills.  Found 2 with good hands and potential, but who weren't ready for the clinical end.  I place the blame squarely on schools. They can control who they accept, and who they pass, they just don't bother. Some actually think 200 hours is an acceptable level of training for a therapeutic massage. The students don't get squat for hands on palpation training, there is a lot of rote memorization, and when they graduate, they're told they can list 6 modalities after a 740 hour course. Utter crap.  I don't expect a new graduate to have my skillset, but if you walk into my office with a resume claiming that you are a Trigger Point specialist and yet you can't even tell me who Dr. Travell was, you fail.  When you do your physical interview with me, you get to document it afterward. If you can't, you fail. If you can't answer a phone,  I can't use you. If you wrinkle your nose and tell me you dont' want to work on anyone old, guess what? FAIL! Most of them have no concept of smooth.  If I could find one of those, who had a strong interest in the clinical, but wasn't ready for it yet, I could have started them in relaxation, and gradually trained them in the medical end. The one I wanted to hire had really good hands, but was choppy as hell.  She got upset when I told her I didn't have the time to train her in that, everyone told her she was good, so what was my problem? I told her to get on the table, and I showed her. She got what I meant really quick, and her attitude changed. I told her she had great hands, and excellent potential (which is a HIGH compliment from me) and that I'd like to hire her, but she wasn't ready enough.  I suggested that she work on smooth for 3 months, and come back.  She never came back.  I would have hired her too.  *grumble*  Some think I'm being a bitch, but my clients know what level of skills & service to expect from us, and asking them to pay the same rate for someone whose skills are sub-standard is not acceptable.

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Permalink Reply by elizabeth mount on March 22, 2011 at 10:27am

i hate hate to say it but have you looked at what people did before massage?   I have a BS in biochemistry so I have a leg up on understanding and communicating with the medical community. Many of my skills from reserach and industry translate into being a good therapist. Excels at presenting research to various peer groups in achedemia,  long term and same day juggling of multiple projects, sucessful in group settings, willing to do work that is unpleasant ie dirty, repeative, uninteresting, or taking out the trash (seriously people its just the trash, you do it at home.. well lets hope so).   Anyway I think you need to figure out what other clues you can look for in peoples background and experience.  

". I provide EVERYTHING (equipment, linens, supplies, receptionist, CLIENTS, etc.)"   Sounds awesome, too bad i'm not where you are. 

 also list an ad on indeed.com and give some type of info about your bussiness please.  I really hate bare bones craigslist ads.  It has to have something to it.  I would really like to be able to look up the bussiness before sending my resume to anywhere.  Is that really too much to ask? seriously I can't see your website, like the ones the clients see and you want my resume? !!  sorry very off topic there.

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Permalink Reply by Nikolas Pattantyus on March 23, 2011 at 6:36am

At least you have some good schools in your area with which to increase your chances of finding a qualified and competent therapist.  I have an outcall based massage business down in South Jersey and I have been looking for another therapist for over a year now.  The massage therapists coming out of the schools around here are so bad!  I actually stopped looking for another therapist a few months ago because the massages I was receiving from prospective therapists were painfully bad. 

The responses I've read here were all helpful though.  I like the idea of going directly through the schools and finding a therapist that is eager to work, even if it means I will have to spend time with them to help them polish their skills.

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Permalink Reply by Kay Warren on March 23, 2011 at 10:02am

Actually, I have.  It helps when someone has an exercise/medical background, they pick up new techniques faster, but unfortunately I haven't seen that sort of background give someone a significant leg up when it comes to palpation skills. I really wish it did. Once they've shown me they're not a flake, or a ninny, or claiming something they're not qualified on, and that they have some semblance of people skills and a curious mind, we get to the physical. In a physical, the palpation is the first thing I look for.  If they've got a curious mind and good palpation skills, I can teach the rest.  At that point having a medical/exercise background is immensely helpful. It was horrifying how many lack basic people skills, can't answer a phone politely to save their soul, or think that the session ends when they tell the client to re-dress. (it doesn't end until you take their money, invite them to reschedule, and get them out the door) I try to pre-interview over the phone.  At that point, if they've passed, I tell them I'd like to schedule an in person interview.  I tell them to wear to the interview whatever clothing they would expect to wear in a professional clinic. I tell them that they should allow 2 hours for the interview, and that if they pass the verbal, we will do the physical right away. I tell them that as part of the interview they will be expected to document the session. I've had women walk in with INCH LONG fake nails. BIG hair, I don't mean big but short, the kind that leaves you looking like a dandelion puff, I mean huge masses of thick curly hair nearly to their waist, and done like they were going on a date. I've seen tight dresses & short shorts. I've seen spaghetti strap camisoles & high heels. The list goes on. It's not as though I don't clue them in over the phone. If someone's attire is only a little inappropriate, and I actually want to hire them, I'll tell them what we expect them to wear in clinic.  I had a lady with really long hair tell me it was never in the way, and she didn't like how she looked with it up, even in a ponytail, so it was always loose.  My own hair is only a few inches shy of my waist, but when I'm at work, it's always UP.  I don't know what it takes.

elizabeth mount said:

i hate hate to say it but have you looked at what people did before massage?   I have a BS in biochemistry so I have a leg up on understanding and communicating with the medical community. Many of my skills from reserach and industry translate into being a good therapist. Excels at presenting research to various peer groups in achedemia,  long term and same day juggling of multiple projects, sucessful in group settings, willing to do work that is unpleasant ie dirty, repeative, uninteresting, or taking out the trash (seriously people its just the trash, you do it at home.. well lets hope so).   Anyway I think you need to figure out what other clues you can look for in peoples background and experience.  

". I provide EVERYTHING (equipment, linens, supplies, receptionist, CLIENTS, etc.)"   Sounds awesome, too bad i'm not where you are. 

 also list an ad on indeed.com and give some type of info about your bussiness please.  I really hate bare bones craigslist ads.  It has to have something to it.  I would really like to be able to look up the bussiness before sending my resume to anywhere.  Is that really too much to ask? seriously I can't see your website, like the ones the clients see and you want my resume? !!  sorry very off topic there.

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