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Massage Therapy
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The practice of
therapeutic massage is a sustaining caring profession born of ancient
precepts and brought to the new millennium to impart health and well
being to those who receive and give massage... |
View the Massage
Therapy Program flyer here!
RIDGE CAREER CENTER IS ALL ABOUT YOU!
You are the reason we are here. You are the focus
of all of our intent, planning, and support. Our mission is to provide the very
best technical education possible. Our mutual goal is employment as a licensed
massage therapist in Florida.
All Massage therapy training courses are not
equal. Here at Ridge you do not have to spend $10,000 as some private schools
charge, to get a $10,000 education.
Our instructors work hard to bring to you the
latest in massage therapy research, techniques, and application. Add your hard
work to our "Teacher of the Year" instruction and we all win.
HOW DO I ENROLL?
Contact Ms. Alice Moore, at
419-3060 extension 4103
Arrange to take the TABE assessment if you haven’t
done so.
Fill out a registration form after you
receive your successful TABE scores
Pay the $100 course deposit to reserve your
seat in this class. This course is limited to 24 persons so apply as early as
possible. Seats are assigned on a first come first served basis.
Complete a criminal background check
Present evidence of a recent physical
examination and statement from your medical health care provider permitting
you to participate in the Massage Therapy Program.
WHAT SHOULD YOU KNOW ABOUT THE
MASSAGE THERAPY
PROGRAM AT RIDGE?
In order to attend the Massage Program
prospective students should know:
Program is open to Adults (minimum age 18
years)
Proof of a high school diploma or GED is
required
Successful completion of the TABE assessment is a
prerequisite to registration. TABE score requirements are Mathematic 9.0,
Reading 10.0 and Language 10.0
A basic criminal background check is
completed as part of registration
Medical physical examination is required as
part of the registration process
HOW IS THE MASSAGE THERAPY PROGRAM
STRUCTURED?
Program length is approximately 28 weeks for a
total of 750 classroom hours.
Daytime students attend from 8:00 am to 2:00
pm. Program hours are subject to change.
Evening students attend from approximately 5:00
p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Program hours are subject to change.
Students must be physically able to attend
class with a minimum of absences and successfully participate in the physical
demands of this occupational training program.
Successful student receive a Certificate of
Completion
Graduates may sit for the National
Certification Examination in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. (NCETMB)
Graduates may apply to become Licensed Massage
Therapists after passing the NCBTMB examination.
HOW MUCH DOES THE MASSAGE
THERAPY TRAINING COST?
For the Massage Class of 2006-2007 tuition was
$2,440. The program cost for the 2007-2008 school year is approximately
$2,600.00.
Generally we make every effort to keep tuition
costs low so that all who want to participate in this medical program may.
Tuition at private massage therapy schools can
range from $3,000 to $10,000 for a basic 500 hour course. [250 hours shorter
than our Department of Education certified course]
Our tuition, most likely, will be below $2,000
for the up coming school year.
In order be become a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT)
in the state of Florida graduates from this program must take the National
Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. The cost of this
examination is $225 at this time.
When a graduate successfully passes the NCBTMB
examination, then and only then, may he/she apply for a massage therapy license
in Florida. The cost to apply and obtain a Massage Therapy License is an
additional $205.00.
Therefore, to receive an initial license, fees
are approximately $430.00. [The cost of the examination plus the cost of the
initial license] This is required at the end of the massage
therapy program to obtain a Florida Board of Massage Therapy License.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE
You may be eligible for financial assistance for
tuition, books and supplies through federal grants or local agencies.
FIND OUT EARLY IF YOU QUALIFY FOR FINANCIAL
ASSISTANCE
CALL
MRS.
JEAN BAKER AT 863-419-3060 EXTENSION 4106
All assistance is based on determination of need
or achievement..
IS THIS MASSAGE THERAPY
ACCREDITED AND PROFESSIONALLY RECOGNIZED?
Ridge Career Center is accredited by the
following:
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Commission of the Council on Occupational
Education
State of Florida Department of Education
Approved Curriculum
American Massage Therapy Association Council
of Schools #139775
Ridge Career Center Massage Therapy Program
is a member of the American Massage Therapy Association and the Florida
State Massage Therapy Association.
WHAT IS THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE?
"Employment for massage therapists is expected to
increase faster than average (27% over the period from 2004 to 2014 as more
people learn about the benefits of massage therapy." Occupational
Outlook Handbook 2007-2008
Therapeutic Massage has been a major part of
medical practices for at least five thousand years and important in Western
medical traditions for at least three thousand years of recorded history. The
practice of massage therapy is actually as old as human history. When the first
injured human gave in to the natural urge to touch or rub an ache or pain,
therapeutic massage was invented.
All cultures both Eastern such as Chinese, Indian
and Japanese and Western customs such as Roman, Greek, Arabic and Swedish have
used therapeutic massage to treat disease and injury.
Today therapeutic massage is being ‘rediscovered’
as an independent treatment method for injuries to muscles and other soft
tissue. It is also being recognized as an integral part of traditional western
medical therapies that address a wide range of health related problems. The
application of therapeutic massage techniques deals with pain management, stress
reduction, immune system enhancement, and a host of other applications.
Professional Massage Therapists are increasingly
recognized by traditional Western medical practitioners for their contributions
in providing a holistic approach to health care in the United States.
WHAT IS
IT LIKE TO WORK AS A MASSAGE THERAPIST?
“There are two primary
paths to consider when evaluating career prospects in the field of
therapeutic massage and bodywork. " You can work on your own, or work for
someone else. And a third options is to join or create a partnership with
other professionals, and option that, while it has its own hazards, has the
potential of providing many of the benefits of private practice and some of
the camaraderie and shared responsibility that makes working with others
attractive."…..”
Most professional massage therapists choose to
work independently in private practice. This way you can set your own hours and
be your own boss. For some personalities this may be a challenge. An independent
massage therapy practitioner must be self motivated, highly driven, and goal
oriented. All of the responsibility for marketing, identifying who your patients
are and how to best attract them. The independent massage therapist is
responsible for bookkeeping, ordering supplies, paying the bills and taxes, and
maybe even janitorial services.
If you don’t think you want to work for
yourself, you can work for someone else. As massage therapy has
"mainstreamed" into the American health care system, opportunities
have grown. Massage therapist now work in hotels, gyms, resorts and spas, and
even for some companies that now offer workplace massage to employees. Massage
therapists wanting a medically oriented career may choose to work for
chiropractors or acupuncture physicians or in physical rehabilitation centers.
Partnering with other health care practitioners
such as physical therapists, or massage therapists offers the support of like
minded professionals so you don’t feel totally alone. Each partner brings
unique talents and interests to the practice without having to shoulder all of
the responsibilities. They all share in management, and financial decisions and,
yes, in the profits.
Our waiting room setting is tranquil with a hint
of vanilla spicing the air. The lighting is soft and warm and an overstuffed
easy chair is waiting for you to nestle in its pillows. Your relaxation began in
the inviting waiting room and continues as you recline into the softness of the
heated massage table’s surface. Within the massage treatment room conversation
is hushed tones. Stress melts away and your mind becomes calm when shoulder
stressor points are worked and released . Make an appointment for a therapeutic
massage and you will better understand benefits of working as a professional
therapeutic massage therapist.
Links:
http://www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/massage/ma_lic_req.html#School
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos295.htm
http://www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/massage/
www.amtamassage.org
www.fsmta.org
**Ridge Career Center Massage Graduates may contact
Ms.
Eileen Harriman by
email for questions and
employment information.
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