2. Duties conduct client assessments to determine the most appropriate courses of treatment explain procedures, risks and benefits to clients and inform client that they have the right to refuse, stop or alter procedures at any time administer appropriate massage techniques (soft tissue manipulation, relaxation techniques, soft tissue stretching techniques, manual pressure to specific points on the body, hydrotherapy, manual stripping or cross-fibre friction of muscle tissue, trigger point therapy, joint play and lower grade mobilizations, lymphatic drainage techniques) suggest appropriate home care and provide information about techniques for postural improvement and stretching, strengthening, relaxation and rehabilitative exercises consult with other health care professionals such as physiotherapists, chiropractors, physicians and psychologists to develop treatment plans for clients obtain, maintain and securely store treatment records.

3. Employment and Advancement Most massage therapists are self-employed. They may travel to clients' offices or homes, or work in: their own homes or offices health clubs spas or resorts massage therapy clinics clinics shared with chiropractors, physicians, physical therapists, psychotherapists, psychologists, naturopaths or dentists. Advancement in this occupation generally takes the form of building a larger client base.

4. Salary Income ranges in this occupation depend on the type of employment, location and number of clients. Massage therapists may charge from $30 to $50 for a half hour treatment and $50 to $80 for a one hour treatment (2007 estimates). Some massage therapists bill 20 to 30 client hours a week. Massage therapists who contract their services to clinics receive a percentage (often 60 per cent) of billings.

5. Personal Characteristics Massage therapists need the following characteristics: excellent listening skills good communication skills good general health and posture comfortable sharing personal space for extended periods of time interested in wellness issues able to work in a standing position for long periods of time and use the body as a tool in administering massage therapy critical thinking skills friendly, outgoing personality and caring attitude. They should enjoy helping people, and developing and implementing treatment plans.

6. Working Conditions Massage therapists may operate private practices or work as part of multi-disciplinary health care teams. They usually work with one client at a time. Therapists who travel to client offices and homes must lift and move equipment that weighs up to 10 kilograms. The work can be strenuous and requires standing for long periods of time. Hours of work depend on the work setting and the physical capability of the individual therapist. Many massage therapists work evenings and weekends, or part-time hours in several different locations.

7. Educational Requirements In Alberta, training programs for massage therapists are offered by the following publicly funded institutions: Grant MacEwan College in Edmonton offers a two year Massage Therapy diploma program. The entrance requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent with one of the following: Biology 30, Chemistry 30 or Science 30.Grant MacEwan College Lakeland College in Lloydminster offers a one year Massage Therapy certificate. The entrance requirement for this program is a high school diploma with a Grade 12 English and a Grade 12 Science (Biology 30 preferred). Lakeland College Lethbridge College offers a two year Massage Therapy diploma program. The entrance requirements are a high school diploma with at least 60 per cent in English Language Arts (ELA) 30-1 or 30-2 and Biology 30, and a working knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets and database software.Lethbridge College Medicine Hat College offers one year certificate and two year diploma programs in Massage Therapy. The entrance requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent with at least 60 per cent in English Language Arts 30-1 or 30-2, Biology 30 and two other 30-level subjects (one of which must be a science) or equivalent. Medicine Hat College Mount Royal College in Calgary offers nine month (full-time) and 24 month (part-time) Massage Therapy programs through Continuing Education. The entrance requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent. Biology 30 (or Mount Royal College's Science Preparatory Course) is strongly recommended.Mount Royal College A number of private vocational schools in Alberta offer training programs, often in particular massage techniques:

8. Alberta Institute of MassageAlberta Institute of Massage in Red Deer offers a 25 week (full-time) or 52 week (part-time) Massage Therapy Certificate program and a 36 week (full- time) or 52 week (part-time) Advanced Massage Therapy Diploma program. Alberta Massage TrainingAlberta Massage Training in Calgary, Edmonton, Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie and Lloydminster, offers a 30 week Swedish Relaxation Massage program and a 44 week Massage Therapy program. Calgary College of Holistic Health and Clinics Inc. Calgary College of Holistic Health and Clinics Inc. offers seven week (full-time) and 15 week (part-time) Swedish Relaxation Massage programs. CCMH Foothills College of Massage TherapyCCMH Foothills College of Massage Therapy in Calgary offers 26 week (full- time) and 64 week (part-time) Massage Therapy programs and 28 week (full- time) and 56 week (part-time) Advanced Massage Therapy programs. CDI College of Business, Technology and Health CareCDI College of Business, Technology and Health Care in Calgary and Edmonton offers a 44 week Massage Therapy program and a 44 week Advanced Massage Therapy program. Choice CollegeChoice College in Spruce Grove offers a 40 week Relaxation Massage program International Academy of EstheticsInternational Academy of Esthetics in Sherwood Park offers a 350 hour, part- time Massage Practitioner program. MH Vicars School of Massage TherapyMH Vicars School of Massage Therapy in Edmonton offers an 88 week Remedial Massage Therapy program. In Calgary, the MH Vicars School of Massage Therapy offers a 44 week Remedial Massage Therapy program and a 42 week Relaxation Massage program. MaKami College Inc.MaKami College Inc. in Edmonton offers 26 week (full-time) and 52 week (part- time) Massage Therapy programs. Northern Institute of Massage Therapy Inc.Northern Institute of Massage Therapy Inc. in Red Deer offers a 28 week Basic Relaxation Massage program and a 40 week Advanced Therapeutic Massage program. Professional Institute of Massage TherapyProfessional Institute of Massage Therapy in Calgary offers 37 week Massage Therapy program. Southern Alberta Institute of Massage in Edmonton offers 24 week (full-time) and 52 week (part-time) Massage Therapy programs.

10. Odd Job Breath odor evaluator What they do: Odor judges smell nasty morning breath or breath “insulted” with strong scents, like garlic or coffee. They rate the breath on a scale from one to nine, one being the worst. To test odor-reducing products like gum or mouthwash, they smell the breath again and assign it a new rating.