The Primary Purpose of the Position is: The Kinesiotherapist Clinical Specialist (KT/CS) in this position provides direct patient care and therapy services on an independent basis across the continuum of care to veterans at the VANTXHCS Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service.

Duties

The kinesiotherapist in this position has responsibility for serving as the subject matter expert in a content specialty area of fall prevention and as a consultant to kinesiotherapy and other medical center staff in evaluating and treating patients in this specialty area. Duties include but not limited to: Clinical Functions: Patient Care Performs patient evaluation: Veterans are scheduled for evaluation considering caseload complexity and acuity of medical condition. Coordinates Veteran schedule with other interdisciplinary team members. Recognizes the appropriateness of treatment based on indications, precautions and contraindications and uses professional judgement to initiate consultation to the appropriate provider. Treatment Implementation: Evaluation findings are used to develop and implement comprehensive patient treatment plans including objective, measurable goals and timeliness for completion. These goals are developed in collaboration with the patient, family and/or stakeholder input. Implements complex and innovative therapeutic techniques not limited to: joint replacement therapy, orthopedic knee and hip dysfunction, shoulder dysfunction, complementary and alternative modalities (CAM), and mobility training to maintain or achieve veteran's physical and/or emotional rehabilitation potential. Fall Prevention Clinical Specialist Functions: Incumbent has advanced skills to perform and interpret specialized evaluation procedures and tests in the specialty area of fall prevention, which includes but is not limited to, Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA), Berg Balance Test( BBS), one-Legged Stance Test (OLST), physical function, cognition (dementia/ Alzheimer's), nutrition, comorbidities, psychological status, and social support, balance and vestibular tests. Demonstrates a full professional understanding of selective therapeutic techniques and modalities related to the patient population being treated. Serves as a mentor or consultant for patients, Kinesiotherapy staff and Medical Center Healthcare team members in the areas of Kinesiotherapy, Fall prevention and Pain management. Develops and implements comprehensive advanced and complex treatments using advanced skills and techniques which may include, but are not limited to: balance re-education exercises, posture re- education, range of motion exercises, therapeutic exercises for strengthening, stretching exercises, mobility training following prolonged best rest, pain management, joint protection, Kineseotaping, manual therapy (joint mobilizations, MFR, massage, etc.), neuromuscular facilitation, modalities, strength/endurance training, energy conservation, and patient/family education, to meet the Veteran rehabilitation objectives. Treatment may be conducted individually and/or in group settings. Administrative functions include: Understand and adheres to department, program, and facility procedures. Receive and triage patient referrals/consults, patient self-referrals, adheres to consult compliance established guidelines and is knowledgeable of admission criteria for each program (inpatient/outpatient) for appropriate continuum of care placement. Schedules Veterans for treatment, considering priority and frequency of care and coordinating schedules with other members of the treatment team. Flexibility of schedule must be maintained to allow for unscheduled patients and for family conferences. Assists with coverage to other PM&R clinics as needed. Education and Research: Identifies learning activities for self and others. Participates and contributes to the advancements of knowledge and techniques related to specialty services and outpatient management and Kinesiotherapy via in-services and/or conducts mentorship projects. Conducts in-services for interdisciplinary team and other rehabilitation programs. Maintains current concepts and trends in Kinesiotherapy and evidence-based medicine/rehabilitation practices through literature reviews, study of current research, clinical practice, and through attendance to continuing education courses, conferences and in-services. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00a.m. - 4:30p.m. Rotates to cover weekends and holidays as needed for patient care. 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

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 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). Grade Determinations: Kinesiotherapist (Clinical Specialist) , GS-12 Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level and one of the following: (a) Evidence of a minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice directly in the specialty area within the last 5 years; or (b) Certification in the specialty area from an accreditation body approved by COPSKT; or (c) An additional advanced degree in a related field; or (d) Completion of a fellowship program. Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge [in a range] of specialized [interventions and treatment modalities used in a specialized treatment area of kinesiotherapy. (b) Ability to serve as a consultant/mentor for health care providers regarding the delivery of care within a specialized area of kinesiotherapy. (c) Skill to perform and interpret specialized evaluative procedures and tests in the treatment outcomes in the assigned specialty area. (d) Skill in developing protocols and procedures for intervention programs based on current kinesiotherapy theory, recent research, and evidence- based practice. Preferred Experience: Experience in providing clinical guidance to KT practitioners in the Inpatient and Outpatient areas. Serves as the subject matter expert in a content specialty area of fall prevention and as a consultant to kinesiotherapy and other medical center staff in evaluating and treating patients in this specialty area. Demonstrates clinical skills for both Inpatient and Outpatient population. Designs and provides primary, secondary, or tertiary prevention programs, such as fall prevention, pain management, joint protection, energy conservation and work simplification. Demonstrates the ability to identify and resolve interpersonal or professional conflicts when dealing with patients and members of the organization. Develops and plans fall prevention programs, process improvement and program evaluation tools in area of specialty in collaboration with Coordinators, Lead therapist and Program Manager. References: VA Handbook 5005/132, Part II, Appendix G21 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Should have the ability to perform repetitive physical activities: Up to 4-6 hours of the following: sitting, walking, standing, twisting, bending, stooping, reaching, reaching overhead, grasping and pinching with hands and fine manipulation, such as typing/keyboarding. Up to 1-2 hours of the following: straight pulling, puling hand over hand, pushing, climbing and kneeling. Required lifting light to moderate (up to 44 pounds) and carrying light to moderate (up to 44 pounds). Required functional hearing with/without hearing aids, near vision correctable at 13-16", Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, the ability to use both eyes, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors. Use of fingers, both hands and use of both legs. Sitting is required for meetings, administrative work and occasionally driving motor vehicle most of the day. The ability to drive is required. The position demands significant physical stress and strain such as transferring patients, crouching and crawling on mats, and occasionally defending self against combative patients assigned to the incumbent. Work may require good physical health, normal use of arms and legs and good visual and auditory acuity, to evaluate and treat patients, and to use computer, keyboard, monitor, phone, etc. Work is performed in the clinics, wards, exercise areas, office and conference rooms, occasionally in the home. May be exposed to infectious diseases, medical and psychiatric emergencies. The position may require occasional travel away from the primary duty station to visit other VANTHCS PM&R Community Based Outpatient Clinics for meetings, conferences, training, management, other. Must be able to obtain and maintain a VHA issued Driver License to operate a government vehicle. This travel may require the transportation of Protected Health Information.

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.

NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

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.

Contacts

• Address Dallas VA Medical Center 4500 South Lancaster Road Dallas, TX 75216 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]