Summary The Kinesiotherapist in this position primarily provides direct patient care across diverse clinical areas under the guidance of a Program Manager/Supervisor and more experienced therapists. In Program I, the Kinesiotherapist in this position performs duties that include but are not limited to: examination, evaluation, treatment intervention, and prevention of impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities related to the musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiopulmonary, psychosocial. Responsibilities Duties may include but are not limited to: Clinical Functions: Patient Care Performs patient evaluations: - Patient Evaluations are completed under supervision of Program Manager/ Supervisor or more experienced staff member. - Interprets medical record information, reviews therapy prescription, and conducts physical evaluation of patients in order to develop and implement a treatment plan in accordance with the physician's orders and patient's ability. - Administers physical tests and assesses behavioral and emotional status for patients with severe or multiple diagnoses to assess treatment options. Treatment Implementation: - Treatment interventions are completed under supervision of Program Manager /Supervisor or more experienced staff member. - Coordinates patient schedule with other interdisciplinary team members. - Identifies specific activities and routines to maintain or improve alternative ways of coping and, physical fitness or conditioning when impaired due to disease or disability. - Develops therapeutic programs for various @types of disabilities which include Mental Health, Alcohol/Substance Abuse, PTSD, orthopedic conditions, amputation, muscle weakness, chronic cardiovascular and pulmonary disease, spinal cord injury, respiratory disorders, psychiatric diagnoses, dementia, etc. - Utilizes various kinesiotherapeutic activities to maintain or achieve rehabilitation of the physical and/or behavioral-emotional impairments. Research and Education - May participate in the development and supports research projects that will have an impact on effective patient care. - Keeps comprehensive records of treatments rendered and progress in medical records to facilitate data collection. - Seeks improved methodology for more effective patient care. Administrative Functions include: - Manages and coordinates schedules and programs determined by patient caseload. Adapts schedule to meet unscheduled treatments when situation arises. - Responsible for adhering to arranged schedules and coverage systems. Completes encounter forms for treatment rendered. - Understands and adheres to PM&RS and facility policies and procedures. - Adheres to consult compliance as per VHA directive and guidelines. - Participates in update of evaluation templates and protocols to adequately serve the requirements of the program and @type of patients is specialty area. - Participates in Total Quality Improvement projects related to PM&R and/or clinical area. Work Schedule: 8:00am-4:30pm, Monday-Friday Occasional Saturday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 55101-F, 55102-F, 55103-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. 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. 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 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 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: All applicants must be registered in kinesiotherapy in good standing with the COPSKT. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). 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. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: 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. 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. 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. 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. Grade Determinations: GS-7: None beyond the basic requirements GS-9: Experience/Education. [One] year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level or [education equivalent to] 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. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all 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. GS-11: Experience/Education. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level or a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or three academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a degree in kinesiotherapy or an exercise science related field. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience 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 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. Preferred Experience: 2+ years with prior experience in mental health setting with direct care population Knowledge of and experience with substance abuse, depression, bipolar, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders Therapeutic/Rehabilitation experience with adult and older adult populations 2+ years experience performing KT services in both therapeutic group and individual settings 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-07 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination. Education Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Note: If your school was accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the CSWE website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet. Verification of the degree can be made by going to http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a masters of social work. Note: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
