The Kinesiotherapist position is located in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMRS) Service at the Hampton VA Medical Center, which is a Complexity Level 1C facility. The clinical duties and responsibilities and administrative duties are carried out within the Hampton VA Medical Center and associated CBOCs and future clinics in the Southside area.

Duties

The Kinesiotherapist demonstrates treatment competency beyond the average staff therapist by executing a full range of treatment procedures designed to allow most physically challenged Veterans the opportunity and ability to safely and most independent possible perform his/her physical functional daily activities. Patient care program development, medical staff training, consultation, research development, and resource sharing within the community. Complex therapeutic objectives and/or unusual and highly specialized procedures due to the severe or unusual involvement of the patient. Duties include, but are not limited to:

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic 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 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a)]. 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. Exception. Non-registered applicants at the GS-7 and GS-9 level who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for appointment, may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate kinesiotherapist under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(a)(1)(B). Pursuant to 38 U.S.C § 7405(c)(2)(B), the appointment cannot exceed two years if the non-registered applicant's registration is pending with the COPSKT. Applicants who fail to obtain registration during this temporary full- time appointment must be terminated. For grade levels at or above the full performance level, the candidate must be registered. Failure to Obtain Registration. In all cases kinesiotherapists must actively pursue meeting registration starting from the date of appointment. At the time of appointment, the supervisor must provide the unregistered kinesiotherapist with a written requirement to obtain registration, the date by which the registration must be acquired, and the consequences for not becoming registered by the deadline. Failure to become registered within two years from the date of appointment, will result in removal from the GS-0635, Kinesiotherapist series; and may result in termination of employment. Loss of Credential. Registered kinesiotherapists who fail to continue their registration in good standing, and maintain the required registration, must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment. 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: In addition to the basic requirements, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade and assignment of candidates. Kinesiotherapist, GS-7 Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. Assignment. Individuals at this grade level serve as [an entry level kinesiotherapist. The entry level kinesiotherapist receives guidance from more experienced staff members. They are responsible for but not limited to: examination, evaluation, treatment intervention, and prevention of musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiopulmonary, and integumentary impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities. Kinesiotherapist, 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: (a) Knowledge of policies and procedures of kinesiotherapy. (b) 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. (c) Knowledge of evaluation and assessment tools] in applying therapeutic techniques. (d) Skill in instructing patients and families in a [therapeutic] exercise program. Kinesiotherapist, 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: (a)Skill in communicating and coordinating with patients, families, caregivers, and other health care professions to facilitate the multidisciplinary treatment process]. (b)Knowledge [of evidence-based kinesiotherapy to provide skilled rehabilitation interventions to] a wide variety of patients having diverse and multiple disabilities. (c)Ability to conduct independent assessments using highly specialized evaluations and diagnostic tests.] (d)Knowledge of [learning principles, behavioral intervention, and innovational] techniques [for patient and caregiver education. (e)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. (f)Ability to use clinical reasoning necessary to identify the need for further in-depth specific assessment and/or continuation of treatment. Assignment. Kinesiotherapists independently conduct assessments and develop treatment plans to the complexity of the diagnosis or disability using appropriate functional tests and measurements according to established evidence-based professional practices. The kinesiotherapists provide integrated and progressive skilled rehabilitative treatment modalities across the continuum of care. Duties may include, but are not limited to, any of the following: pre-habilitation, acute, sub-acute, transitional, home-based, post rehabilitative, and wellness programs. Administer musculoskeletal, neurological, ergonomic, biomechanical, psychological, and task specific functional tests and measures in order to reach maximum outcomes. Coordinate and collaborate within a multidisciplinary team to provide comprehensive care, employ multiple treatment approaches and to accomplish complex treatment objectives. The kinesiotherapist may perform duties such as, accurately test, analyze, evaluate, and record measurements of vitals, muscular strength, endurance, range of motion, coordination, static/dynamic balance, cardiovascular endurance, gait analysis, posture, gross sensory impairment, functional mobility, activities of daily living, and prosthetic and orthotic gait, care and training. Provide education to patients, caregivers and other health care professionals regarding policies and procedures for guidance to maneuver through the health care system. Kinesiotherapists monitor and report on work status, program quality, performance improvement data, and make recommendations for process improvement. References: VA Handbook 5005/132, Part II, Appendix G21, dated July 16, 2020 The full performance level of this vacancy is 11. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over, Use of fingers, both hands required, reaching above shoulder, walking (8 hours), standing (8 hours), both legs required (1 prosthetic), Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing (Aid permitted), and Mental and emotional stability. Part of this position will involve sedentary work involving computers and communications.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Hampton VA Medical Center 100 Emancipation Drive Hampton, VA 23667 US
• Name: Yasmin Glover
• Email: [email protected]