This position is located in the Home Based Primary Care Program at the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital in Tampa, Florida. The Kinesiotherapist in this position is responsible for evaluating referred patients and independently establishing and executing treatment plans that include a full range of complex treatment procedures and modalities.

Duties

Duties and responsibilities for the position include but are not limited to the following: Evaluates patients as to not negatively impact other clinical staff yet meet the patient's needs. Coordinates specialty skilled assessment in the patients' home setting with other Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC) team members. Reviews patient medical records to assess appropriateness of Kinesiotherapy intervention; to identify potential risks or contradictions to treatment; and to provide assistance in guiding the evaluation process. The patient needs are frequently complex and may need to be adapted because of physical disabilities or multiple medical conditions. Independent evaluations are conducted and include medical history, results and interpretation of appropriate functional tests and measurements such as: range of motion, muscle strength, sensory/perceptual deficits, coordination, functional mobility, pain scales, and social needs. Completes required assessments in a timely and accurate basis. Independently schedules assessments and treatment for patients. Evaluates and treats under Physician's orders. Incumbent strives to retard physical and mental deterioration, maintaining the highest degree of self-help and independence within the limitation of patient's disability. Determines the appropriate evaluation tools and interventions necessary to establish, in collaboration with the patient, family and/or stakeholder, a goal specific treatment plan. Adapts and modifies treatment plans, activities and procedures to meet the needs of patients with complex disabilities. Completes home safety evaluations and setting up adaptive equipment in the patients home. This includes training caregivers and teaching patients safety precautions when using oxygen. Ensures adequate coding and documentation within timeframes to support Medical Care Cost Recovery billing in support of Medical Center reimbursement, revenue streams and Home-Based Primary Care program goals. Provides patient care which is appropriate to the cognitive, emotional and chronological maturation needs of the adult or geriatric and/or geriatric patient. Develops all fire evacuation plans in the home and instructs patients and caregivers on use of and placement of smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. Maintains Kinesiotherapy, PM&R, and Medical Center competencies, participates in peer review activities and supports all Quality Improvement activities and programs for the Medical Center. Ability to identify and resolve interpersonal or professional conflicts when dealing with patients, caregivers, members of the treatment team and all Medical Center programs or services. Investigates and responds appropriately to any complaints or problems in the home or Medical Center setting and takes effective corrective action when necessary. Evaluates patient's home to determine its suitability and adaptability for HBPC patients. Recommends home adaptations to improve accessibility for wheelchair or other adaptive equipment. Independently evaluates all HBPC patients referred to Kinesiotherapy andimplements appropriate treatment regimes. Independently develops appropriate treatment plans and goals, including determining appropriate home modifications needed to increase patient safety and level of independence. Inputs scheduling data into hospital Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS). Works effectively with treatment team members and other health care providers in coordinating the patient's total care. Monitors patient's tolerance for therapeutic procedures, including tolerance for prescribed adaptive equipment. Recognizes contraindications or inappropriate treatments which is health threatening to the patient. Knowledgeable in federal, state and local regulations for internal certification of the home. This includes bedrooms, bathrooms, common areas used by residents, dining rooms, and any adaptations or home improvements needed for certification to the medical foster care home program. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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. English Language Proficiency. Kinesiotherapist candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by [38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f).] Education and/or Experience. The individual must meet at least one of the following requirements below: 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. PLEASE NOTE: Individuals must be a graduate of a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Program (CAAHEP) accredited college or University. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) 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. 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. 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. 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 for Kinesiotherapist at the GS-7 Level: GS-7 Experience/Education - No post-educational experience or education is required beyond the Basic Requirements. Grade Determinations for Kinesiotherapist at the GS-9 Level: GS-09 Experience/Education: In addition to the Basic Requirements, a Kinesiotherapist at the GS-9 level must possess one (1) of the following: At least one (1) year of experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level directly related to the position being filled -OR- Possess the education equivalent to two (2) 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 (KSAs). In addition to the experience or education 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. Grade Determinations for Kinesiotherapist at the GS-11 Level: GS-11 Experience/Education: In addition to the Basic Requirements, a Kinesiotherapist at the GS-11 level must possess one (1) of the following: At least one (1) year of experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level directly related to the position being filled -OR- Possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree -OR- Three (3) 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 (KSAs). In addition to the experience or education 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 5005/132, Part II, Appendix G21 - Kinesiotherapist Qualification Standard - July 16, 2020. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected may be at the GS-7, GS-9, or GS-11 grade level. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address James A Haley Veterans Hospital 13000 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard Tampa, FL 33612 US
• Name: Dierdre Mister
• Phone: (314) 365-5455
• Email: [email protected]