Kinesiotherapist

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.

01Basic Requirements

Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g this part). English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

Basic Education Requirement: 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. NOTE: Transcripts are required to be submitted with your application. Registration: All applicants must be registered in kinesiotherapy in good standing with the COPSKT. NOTE: COPSKT is required to be submitted with application.

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).

Grade Determinations 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.

02Preferred Experience

Home Health experience, self-starter, independent 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-11 to GS-11.

03Physical Requirements

See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Assembles pre-evaluation data, interprets medical record information, reviews therapy prescription, and conducts physical evaluation of patients in order to develop and implement a treatment plan. Devises specific activities and routines to maintain or improve general state of health, physical fitness or conditioning where it is absent or to restore it where it has been lost due to disease or disability.

Develops therapeutic programs for various types of disabilities, which include orthopedic conditions, amputation, muscle weakness, chronic cardiovascular and pulmonary disease, psychiatric diagnoses, dementia, and patients with multiple diagnoses. Strives to retard physical and mental deterioration maintaining the highest degree of self-help and independence within the limitations encountered as a result of the patient's disability.

Employs therapeutic objectives which are complex because of the severe and multiple disabilities encountered Implements changes to the treatment intervention based on patient response to treatment in a manner that utilizes creative thinking and problem solving that goes beyond the typical diagnosis-based treatment pathways in order to reach maximal outcomes.

Interprets and administers physician's exercise prescription, schedules patients for treatment and integrates kinesiotherapy activities with other treatments in order to achieve the goals established for the patient. Administers therapeutic exercise that strengthens debilitated muscles and teaches transfer activities and mobility training following prolonged bed rest, amputation, fractures, wounds and joint replacement.

Functions as a core team member of the multidisciplinary team for the purpose of providing total health care delivery to the patient and continuity of care by sharing ideas and exchanging pertinent information. Inputs scheduling data into hospital CPRS. Completes and documents initial evaluations, treatment interventions, re-evaluation, and discharge notes in accordance with DRMS and Department of Veterans Affairs' policy that cover the entire course of treatment.

Selects, adapts, and adjusts kinesiotherapy intervention in accordance with rehabilitation goals. Performs other duties as assigned. Coordinates the overall treatment plan with the patient, his/her family and caregiver to provide a program which focuses on treatment goals. Special emphasis is placed on minimizing further debilitation through energy conservation, joint protection, pain management techniques, and ongoing exercise.

• Ensure productivity is maintained at the established level for the program for which he/she is responsible.
• Demonstrates infection control practices for disease prevention (i.e. hand washing, universal precautions/isolation including TB requirement/precautions.
• Implements and monitors infection control practices for disease prevention (i.e. hand washing, universal precautions/isolation procedures, including TB requirement/precautions.
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00am to 4:30pm, CST.

Work schedule subject to change based on agency needs. Telework: Ad-hoc maybe approved. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 58004F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized