The Physiologist - Exercise position is located at the VA Boston Healthcare System (VAPBHS) within the Research Service Line and will report to the Site Principal Investigator and Cardiac Rehabilitation Expert (in collaboration with the Principal Investigator at VA Pittsburgh Health care System (VAPHS). The Physiologist performs research studies of cardiovascular disease and physical function in older adults.

Duties

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** NOTE: This is a TERM appointment (term appointment not-to-exceed 3 years). Term appointments are non-status, nonpermanent appointments of limited duration. Term employees are eligible to earn leave and generally have the same benefits as permanent employees including health and life insurance, within-grade increases and Federal Employees Retirement System and Thrift Savings Plan coverage. Term appointments may be extended without further competition. Duties may include, but are not limited to the following: Performing detailed mobility assessments in the study participants, include the use and analysis of wearable sensors, actigraphy, electronic gait mat. Performing detailed vestibular assessments in the study participants. Applying theories and principles for clinical assessments in observational and intervention study. Formulating research methods and suggests options for improving quality, while identifying potential problems, and recommends and implements solutions. Screening and recruiting candidates for clinical trials using objective rating techniques to determine eligibility, administer informed consent. Training users in tests, study protocols, study procedures, and equipment operation. Implementing scientific research projects both independently and in a coordinated effort as part of a multidisciplinary research team. Must be aware and sensitive to the clinical needs of each patient and closely coordinate any concerns or recommendations for clinical modifications with the principal investigator/supervisor. Assisting with the performance of a variety of special testing such as cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Assisting in execution of skeletal muscle biopsies and maintaining skeletal muscle biopsy supplies. Conducting exercise interventions such as exercised based assessment related to the protocols for patients as part of research protocols. Independently conducting specialized physical function testing including muscular strength, power, and endurance testing, inspiratory muscle testing, specialized balance assessment, as well as gait and balance assessments. Counseling of patients on exercise prescription and appropriate physical activity recommendations as part of research protocols. Responsible for following all study protocols, analyzing, and performing data entry base on study guidelines. May use statistical and electronic data capture software such as Excel, SPSS, SAS, REDCap for data entry, reporting, and analysis. Sending reports of the study tests to subjects, and be responsible for communicating with subjects regarding payment, questions, scheduling and assisting with communication with the VA administrative offices in consultation with the PI and other study personnel. Overseeing data management within the lab including, mobility sensor devices, electronic gait mat sensor devices, clinical data, works closely with data manager in database design and development. Preparing manuscripts and grant proposals. Submitting or assisting with preparing Internal Review Board (IRB) and other regulatory submissions and audits for research studies. Assisting with writing Standard Operating Procedures for data analysis and management. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Telework: VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Education Requirement: Applicants must possess a Degree in one of the basic animal sciences or physiology; or a related discipline or field of science that included at least 24 semester hours in the basic animal sciences, of which 10 semester hours were in animal physiology. Evaluation of Education: Courses such as anatomy; cytology; invertebrate and vertebrate zoology; embryology; entomology; animal, dairy, and poultry husbandry; nutrition; genetics; and physiology may be used to meet the 24-semester-hour requirement in the basic animal sciences. Courses in physiology, animal or human physiology, cellular physiology, or courses that were well oriented toward animal or human physiology, e.g., some advanced courses in biochemistry, are qualifying as animal physiology courses. Courses in related fields such as cytology and microbiology (including microbial physiology) may also be qualifying, provided the course work dealt directly with the application of scientific principles underlying animal physiology, or with the methodology and techniques applied in animal physiology work. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) In addition to meeting the basic education requirement above, you must also possess experience and/or education to qualify for this position as described below. Specialized Experience: Applicants must possess at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level of GS-9 in the Federal service. Specialized experience in the assessment, development, and implementation of an exercise treatment plan in an inpatient, outpatient site-based, and home-based cardiopulmonary rehabilitation and wellness programs; Assessing study participants comprehensively, ascertaining functional capacities as well as pertinent medical, dietary, sleep, and social dimensions; Formulate research methods and suggests options for improving quality, while identifying potential problems, and recommends and implements solutions; Screen and recruit candidates for clinical trials using objective rating techniques to determine eligibility, administer informed consent; Maintain study records and case report forms; and train users in tests, study protocols, study procedures, and equipment operation. OR Education Substitution: Possess a Master's or equivalent graduate degree that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that number cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered an academic year of graduate study. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) OR Combination of Specialized Experience and Education: Possess a combination of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience may be used to meet total experience requirements. Only graduate level education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be combined with experience. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) A Quality Ranking Factor* has been requested by the facility to help determine which of the basically qualified applicants are likely to be better qualified for a position. The quality ranking factor for this position is: experience in utilizing scientific rationale to design, implement and supervise exercise programming for those with chronic diseases, conditions and/or physical shortcomings; assessing the results of outcomes related to exercise services provided to those individuals; providing services that focus on the improvement of physical capabilities for the purpose of: (1) chronic disease management; (2) reducing risks for early development or recurrence of chronic diseases; (3) creating lifestyle habits that promote enhancement of health; (4) facilitating the elimination of barriers to habitual lifestyle changes through goal-setting and prioritizing; (5) improving the ease of daily living activities; (6) and increasing the likelihood of long-term physical, social and economic independence. NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. *Quality Ranking Factors are skills, knowledge, abilities, or other worker characteristics which could be expected to result in superior performance on the job. Quality ranking factors will not be used for screening, but may be used as ranking criteria. Applicants with higher proficiency levels may rank above those with lower proficiency levels on a quality ranking factor. You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Clinical Data Collection/DocumentationInterpersonal SkillsPathophysiologyQuality Ranking FactorResearch IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Physical Requirements: The work involves active supervision of exercising participants. Some work requires periods of walking, standing, bending. Employees occasionally carry light items, such as books, small instruments, and other similar materials. Work is performed in a laboratory and office setting. May involve occasional exposure to a laboratory that involves risks and hazards that require safety precautions. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

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: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).

Contacts

• Address Boston ORD VISN 1 JFK Federal Building, 15 New Sudbury St Boston, MA 02203-9928 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]