Plans and coordinates the comprehensive Kinesiotherapy Treatment Programs, using knowledge of best practice in the profession, as an integral part of the complex Spinal Cord Injury/Disorder Service Care Line (SCI/D) with in the Audie L. Murphy, VA Medical Center.

Duties

CLINICAL DUTIES: 1. Screens and evaluates patients for appropriate referral and treatment based on STVHCS and SCI/D policies and/or standards. 2. Prior to initial evaluation, reviews patient's medical record gathering pertinent information and monitors chart thereafter for any changes in patient's status. 3. Utilizing proper techniques, applies highly complex evaluations and diagnostic tests and procedures appropriately to obtain assessment information necessary for treatment planning for a wide variety of patients. May receive guidance from more experienced staff for the most complex patients. 4. Properly assesses a wide variety of patients having diverse and multiple disabilities to make recommendations for appropriate assistive devices related to mobility. 5. Based on valid assessment information and patient's goals, independently formulates and implements appropriate Kinesiotherapy plan of care based on currently accepted standards of practice. EDUCATIONAL DUTIES: 1. Participates in sufficient continuing education to maintain credentials as a Registered Kinesiotherapist. 2. Maintains current CPR certification. 3. Participates in educational programs to maintain and enhance skills pertinent to work assignment or in support of identified area of need. 4. Remains current in evidence-based Kinesiotherapy evaluations, treatment techniques and related programming for patients with spinal cord injury and various other diagnoses. 5. Identifies continuing education needs to enhance programs or advance treatment and maintain state of the art provision of Kinesiotherapy services. COLLATERAL DUTIES: 1. Maintains work area, equipment and supplies in accordance with STVHCS, and SCI/D safety regulations and policies. 2. Participates in peer review. 3. Participates in data gathering for monitoring of outcomes of care for quality improvement. 4. Orders and restocks appropriate quantities of supplies necessary to provide adequate care and treatment. 5. Serves on SCI/D, or STVHCS medical center committees or teams as requested. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday / 0730-1600 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 0000000 Kinesiotherapist Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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. (1) 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 (2) 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 (3) 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. Foreign Graduates. Graduates of a foreign program must meet the requirements in subparagraph 3b if they have a full unrestricted and current registration to practice kinesiotherapy in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States or in the District of Columbia. They must have at a minimum, proof of a degree from an accredited college or university (or foreign equivalent, as verified through an independent credentialing evaluation company). Registration. All applicants must be registered in kinesiotherapy in good standing with the COPSKT. English Proficiency. Kinesiotherapist candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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: Kinesiotherapist - GS-07 (1) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements Grade Determinations: Kinesiotherapist - GS-09 (1) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. (2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of 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. Grade Determinations: Kinesiotherapist - GS-11 (1) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. (2) 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. Preferred Experience: -Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level and one of the following: -Evidence of a minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice directly in the specialty area within the last 5 years; or -Certification in the specialty area from an accreditation body approved by COPSKT; or -An additional advanced degree in a related field; or Completion of a fellowship program. References: VA Handbook 5005/132, PART II, APPENDIX G21 Dated 7/16/2020.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: "The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds."

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Accreditation Information: Degree from a KT program accredited by Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Program or Council on Professional Standards for Kinesiotherapy (COPSKT).

Note: If your school was accredited at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.

NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.
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 Audie L Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital 7400 Merton Minter Boulevard San Antonio, TX 78229 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]