This position is located in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) Service at the Central Virginia Veterans Affairs Healthcare System in Richmond, Virginia. The Kinesiotherapist provides acute, sub-acute or post-acute rehabilitative therapy and/or wellness interventions focusing on therapeutic exercise, mobility, behavior change and education.

Duties

Duties and responsibilities for the position include but are not limited to the following: a. Interprets and administers, upon receipt of a prescription for a qualified physician, using specialized skills and medical knowledge in the evaluation of the patients' medical condition. b. Coordinates the scheduling of patient treatment with other PM&RS therapists, the interdisciplinary team, and nursing staff as appropriate. c. Assembles pre-evaluation data, interprets medical record information reviews therapy prescriptions, and conducts physical evaluation of patients in order to develop and implement a treatment plan. d. Devises specific care plans for skilled rehabilitation and/or wellness activities. e. Incumbent strives to retard physical and mental deterioration, maintaining the highest degree of self-help and independence within the limitation of patient's disability. f. Determines the appropriate evaluation tools and interventions necessary to establish, in collaboration with the patient, a goal specific treatment plan. Establishing these therapeutic objectives can be complex because of the server and multiple disabilities encountered. g. 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 the goes beyond the typical diagnosis-based treatment pathways in order to reach maximal outcomes. h. Establishes meaningful therapeutic goals and independently designs a treatment plan to meet the goals established in the most efficient manner. i. Completes appropriately timed re-evaluations for the patients and modifies the goals based on the information gained by the re-evaluation. j. Incumbent reports to physician's patient reactions to treatment, which have medical significance and diagnostic value. k. Encompass a moderately complex foundation of knowledge in the administration of musculoskeletal, neurological, ergonomic, biomechanical, psychological, and task specific functional tests and measures. l. Independently develops therapeutic programs for various types of disabilities, which include but are not limited to orthopedic conditions, amputation, muscle weakness, chronic cardiovascular and pulmonary disease, psychiatric diagnoses, dementia, and patients with multiple diagnoses. m. Assesses the needs for home equipment, durable medical equipment, and/or assistive technology as appropriate via clinical simulation and/or home evaluation to ensure optimal functioning in the home environment. n. Incumbent is responsible for educating patient and/or family for the use and features of prescribed equipment or programming ensuring proper use, function, and body mechanics. o. Assembles, demonstrates, and fits appropriate assistive and mobility devices, adaptive equipment, or home equipment to ensure safe and appropriate use. p. Incumbent uses equipment or manually assesses, treats, and incorporates safety measures into clinical care. q. Provides education for patients and family members in home exercise programs, transfer techniques, and in efficient care for the patient in a way that is clear and understandable for those involved. r. 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. As a member of the treatment team, maintains a working relationship with medical and allied health specialists to coordinate patient treatment to effect maximum rehabilitation potential. The therapist participates in ward rounds with ward physicians and other members of the treatment team. He/she explains and discusses both theoretical and practical aspects of Kinesiotherapy treatment and therapeutic techniques with various groups within the medical center. s. Communicates with primary assigned therapists in the areas that are covered to be sure patient information is relayed to uphold the highest of standard of care. Use of co-signature function on notes is encouraged. t. Documents clearly and concisely the physical findings during evaluations which include initial evaluations, treatment interventions, re-evaluation and discharge notes in accordance with PM&R Service and DVA policy that cover the entire course of treatment. This includes understanding and practicing documentation and coding practices to maximize reimbursement potential. Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm; Monday - Friday Telework: Ad Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000

Requirements

Qualifications

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. 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. REGISTRATION: All applicants must be registered in kinesiotherapy in good standing with the COPSKT.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. 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. English Language Proficiency: Kinesiotherapists must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. 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. GS-7 EXPERIENCE: No specialized experience required beyond the educational, registration and language requirements listed above under Basic Requirements. GS-9 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION: You must have at least one year of experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level including, but not limited to: examination, evaluation, treatment intervention, and prevention of musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiopulmonary, and integumentary impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities; OR two full years of graduate education (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED); OR a master's degree from a university or college in the field of kinesiotherapy or an exercise science related field. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the specialized 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 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION: You must have at least one year of experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level including but not limited to: examination, evaluation and treatment interventions that demonstrate a clear progression of clinical knowledge and experience by providing modified treatment interventions based on the patient's response (e.g. identifying individual risks, contra-indications, and advancement and progression of challenging treatment interventions) that utilize the application of innovative procedures and problem solving; OR, a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED); OR, three academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a degree in kinesiotherapy or an exercise science related field. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the specialized experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G21. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: May engage in the following activities/positions/tasks as defined: Lifting/Carrying up to 45 lbs intermittently, frequent walking, standing and sitting. Occasional stooping, kneeling, overhead reaching, fine manipulation pushing and/or pulling. Occasional operation of a motor vehicle may be required.

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 Central Virginia VA Health Care System 1201 Broad Rock Boulevard Richmond, VA 23249 US
• Name: Ryan Leash
• Phone: 980-401-2554
• Email: [email protected]