Summary

This position serves as a Kinesiotherapist within the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) Section under Geriatrics & Extended Care/Patient Care Services and is assigned to the Kinesiotherapy Section under the supervision of the Supervisory Rehabilitation Therapist. The staff Kinesiotherapist may be assigned to patients in the VA Medical Center - Community Based Outpatient Clinics - Home Based Primary Care - or Health Prevention based programs.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• English Proficiency
• Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• Education: A bachelor's degree or higher from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Program - with a concentration/ emphasis in kinesiotherapy
• OR A bachelor's degree or higher with a concentration/emphasis in kinesiotherapy or exercise science related field and registered as a Kinesiotherapist in good standing with the Council of Professional Standards for Kinesiotherapy (COPSKT)
• OR A master's degree or higher with a degree in exercise science - kinesiology - human performance - or a related field - which has been approved by the COPSKT and a certificate verifying completion of a Center of Excellence (COE) kinesiotherapy clinical training program
• The completion of the certificate ensures that COPSKT has approved the degree program as part of the application process for the COE internship
• Registration: Candidates must be registered in kinesiotherapy and be in good standing with the COPSKT
• NOTE: All registered applicants must provide proof of registration
• Grandfathering Provision: All persons employed in VHA as a Kinesiotherapist on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title - series and grade held - including positive education and registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation
• Employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard - but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it - the following provisions apply: 1) Such employees may be reassigned - promoted up to and including the full performance (journeyman) level - or changed to a lower grade within the occupation - but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions
• 2) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard - may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard
• 3) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation - who subsequently obtain additional education and/or license/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard - must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation
• 4) Kinesiotherapists who are converted to Title 38 Hybrid status under this provision - and subsequently leave the occupation - will lose their protected status - and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation
• Creditable Experience: To be creditable - the experience must demonstrate possession of the knowledge - skills - and abilities (KSAs) associated with current professional kinesiotherapy practice
• This may be evidenced by one or more of the following: 1) One year of active practice - paid or non-paid employment - as a professional kinesiotherapist as defined by the American Kinesiotherapy Association (AKTA) or Council of Professional Standards for Kinesiotherapy (COPSKT)
• Experience gained as a graduate kinesiotherapist is creditable provided you have passed the registration examination
• 2) Academic course work leading to an advanced degree in exercise science - kinesiology - human performance - or a related field
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements listed above - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: Kinesiotherapist - GS-7 (Entry Level): Experience/Education: None beyond the basic requirements
• Kinesiotherapist - GS-9: Experience/Education: Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-7 grade level
• OR Completion of two full years of progressively higher level graduate education
• OR A master's degree from a university or college in the field of kinesiotherapy or an exercise science related field
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the Education - Experience - or Licensure requirements above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of policies and procedures of kinesiotherapy
• Knowledge of assistive devices to make recommendations - including fit and function of assistive devices with the ability to recognize appropriate prosthetic/orthotic devices for the patient
• Knowledge of evaluation and assessment tools in applying therapeutic techniques
• Skill in instructing patients and families in a therapeutic exercise program
• NOTE: All KSAs must be clearly displayed in the resume
• Assumptions will not be made
• Kinesiotherapist - GS-11(Full Performance Level): Experience/Education: Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 grade level
• OR Completion of three full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree in kinesiotherapy or an exercise science related field
• OR A Doctor of Philosophy or equivalent doctoral degree Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the Education - Experience - or Licensure requirements above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Skill in communicating and coordinating with patients - families - caregivers - and other health care professions to facilitate the multidisciplinary treatment process
• Knowledge of evidence-based kinesiotherapy to provide skilled rehabilitation interventions to a wide variety of patients having diverse and multiple disabilities
• Ability to conduct independent assessments using highly specialized evaluations and diagnostic tests
• Knowledge of learning principles - behavioral intervention - and innovational techniques for patient and caregiver education
• Ability to adapt assessment tools and treatment to the complexity of the diagnosis or disabilities and demonstrate the clinical reasoning necessary to identify the need for further in-depth specific assessment of function and utilization of non-standard methods and techniques
• Ability to use clinical reasoning necessary to identify the need for further in-depth specific assessment and/or continuation of treatment
• NOTE: All KSAs must be clearly displayed in the resume
• Assumptions will not be made
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-7 to GS-11 Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position
• Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Duties

• This position involves a multi-grade career ladder
• The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-11
• At the GS-7 and GS-9 grade level - you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence
• You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-11
• Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance
• Kinesiotherapists are allied health professionals competent in the administration of scientifically based musculoskeletal - neurological - ergonomic - bio-mechanical - psychosocial - and task specific functional tests and measures combined with evidence-based modalities and interventions within the scope of practice for Kinesiotherapy and standards of practice for Kinesiotherapy
• These treatments are used to physically - physiologically - and psychologically improve the human function/movement and well-being of the clients served
• The incumbent will perform the following duties as a regular recurring part of the job: Administer clinical evaluations - upon receipt of a prescription from a qualified physician - nurse practitioner - physician assistant and/or chiropractor - using specialized skills and medical knowledge in reference to the patients'/clients' medical condition
• Assembles pre-evaluation data - interprets medical record information - reviews therapy prescriptions - and conducts physical evaluation of patients/clients to develop and implement a treatment plan
• Devises specific activities and care plans to improve general state of health - functional abilities - physical fitness - or conditioning - where it is absent or to restore it where it has been lost due to disease - illness - or disability
• Determines the appropriate evaluation tools and interventions necessary to establish - in collaboration with the patient - a goal specific treatment plan
• Treats patients using standardized and recognized assessments and treatment modalities
• Establishes therapeutic objectives of which can be complex because of the server and multiple disabilities - or co-morbidities encountered
• Identifies the need for modifications to the treatment intervention based on the patient response to treatment in a manner that utilizes creative thinking and problem solving that goes beyond the typical diagnosis-based treatment pathways to reach maximal outcomes
• Independently develops programs for various types of disabilities - diseases - illnesses - and co-morbidities - which include but are not limited to orthopedic conditions - amputation - muscle weakness - chronic cardiovascular and pulmonary disease - psychiatric diagnoses - dementia - and patients with multiple diagnosis
• Establishes meaningful therapeutic goal and independently designs a treatment plan to meet the goals established in the most efficient manner
• Completes appropriately timed re-evaluations for the patients and modifies the goals based on the information gained by the re-evaluation
• Documents appropriately and in a timely manner in patient's electronic medical record (CPRS)
• Works cooperatively with other specialties to provide seamless rehabilitation treatment for patients that may require interdisciplinary and complex care
• Provide clinical oversight of Kinesiotherapy students - trainees - and volunteers in the delivery or support of treatment and education to patients and caregivers
• Participates in performance improvement monitoring including the formulation of monitors - data collections - peer reviews - and preparation of reports in accordance with VA and Joint Commission guidelines
• Other duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00am - 4:30pm
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Functional Statement #: 542-04188F