Position is in the Kinesiotherapy Section within Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services (PM&RS) at the Phoenix VA Healthcare System (PVAHCS). Provides assessment and treatment intervention on an independent basis across the continuum of care and services provided. Caries out general duty assignments but primarily serves as subject matter expert in Orthopedic and Mental Health in the field of Kinesiotherapy.

Duties

Supports outpatient Kinesiotherapy clinics. Coordinates and facilitates outpatient Kinesiotherapy programs in the areas of musculoskeletal, neurological, ergonomic, biomechanical, psychosocial populations. Supports 5-year clinical exercise physiology students and medical students.Duties include but not limited to the following: Establishing, negotiating, and maintaining affiliation agreements and Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs). Serve as a liaison within other services in Phoenix VA. Provides clinical expertise in the areas of musculoskeletal, functional movement, neurological, ergonomic, biomechanical, psychosocial populations. Arrange and serve as instructors for staff in-service training programs, and serve on curriculum committees of colleges and universities, and have substantive input into the course content for students. Responsible for the selection of appropriate preceptors, monitor timely evaluations of students, provide counseling as needed, and keep schools apprised of student performance. Review student performance, discuss deficiencies, and address any questions or concerns with student trainee and/or preceptor; and develop an action plan to address any problems, concerns, or deficiencies identified. Responsible for the examination and treatment of patients requesting KT services and patients referred to the KT Section both in person and by means of the most appropriate method of telecommunication. Develops and implements Kinesiotherapy patient education and treatment content, based on the most current evidence-based practice, to be delivered by the most appropriate method of telecommunication. Provides in-service and clinical training programs as assigned by the of the Kinesiotherapy section. Designs, conducts, and evaluates educational experiences on Kinesiotherapy subject matter for staff members, taking an active role in Journal Club, and seeks educational opportunities to enhance the Kinesiotherapy section, PM&RS, and the Phoenix VA Health Care System. Develops and provides timely reports as requested by the of the Kinesiotherapy section. Maintains timely data input utilizing care plans, initial assessments and/or specialty protocols as part of an ongoing process in coordination with other key interdisciplinary staff to provide effective patient care. Performs skilled Kinesiotherapy evaluation and treatments, male and female, ages ranging from adult to geriatric, having a variety of disabilities. Cases may be complex in nature with chronic and acute disease entities including, but not limited to, central nervous system disorders, joint diseases, circulatory and pulmonary diseases, diabetes mellitus, altered thought processes and multisystem disease combinations. Has ability to determine the most appropriate plan of care relative to the patient's diagnosis, age, developmental level and cultural needs within evaluation process. May be authorized to perform examination and treatment of patients representing a wide scope of ages and diagnoses, rendering varied modalities inherent in their profession. Serves as a Clinical Instructor and role model for students and others on the Kinesiotherapy and other programs where Kinesiotherapy is involved and have staff. Assist PM&RS Clinical Manager with KT annual competencies review for all PM&RS KT staff as requested. Employs motivational techniques to enlist patient participation and adaptive equipment and procedures to carry out a full range of complex treatment activities. Evaluates patient's condition upon appropriate referral to Kinesiotherapy or by patient request for Kinesiotherapy service to determine treatment plan. Performs and interprets results of tests and measurements for use in preparing for modification and/or evaluation of patient treatment, and adjusts the treatment based on changes in patient's condition. Gathers statistical data for quality assurance metrics. Evaluates patient's needs with respect to durable medical equipment necessary for the patient in the home environment. Makes recommendations for home modifications to ensure the safe functioning of each patient. Selects appropriate equipment, which provides patients with their best outcomes possible. Determines appropriate equipment necessary to allow patients to participate in home exercise program, assistive devices for mobility, transfers etc. Determines the most efficient way for the patient to function safely in a home environment with the resources available for the patient. To review patients' medical records from outlying facilities to determine appropriateness of triaging referral to community care. Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday - Friday Compressed/Flexible:May be available with supervisory approval. Telework: Yes - Position Suitable Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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. 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. Registration: All applicants must be registered in kinesiotherapy in good standing with the COPSKT. 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). 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-12: In addition to the basic requirements, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade and assignment of candidates. Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11). Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Ability to coordinate and maintain academic agreements and assignments for student affiliations with universities, colleges, and other academic organizations. (b) Knowledge of contemporary kinesiotherapy across multiple areas of practice and provide clinical guidance to staff kinesiotherapists within the department. (c) Ability to provide consultation to other health care practitioners and outside groups about the practice of kinesiotherapy and areas of expertise. (d) Ability to synthesize (create) clinical processes and practice in order to guide and train the students' clinical/educational experience and skills.] (e) Knowledge of AKTA practice guidelines and COPSKT certification requirements. (f) Ability to apply appropriate problem-solving methods and techniques. Assignment: For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Clinical education coordinator positions generally would be found in Complexity Level 1 (High Complexity) or in facilities of lesser complexity levels where there is an affiliation with kinesiotherapy programs. The kinesiotherapist at this level develop and administer clinical training programs for students, facility, staff, and/or physical medicine and rehabilitation therapy disciplines. This assignment occurs at active, affiliated VHA facilities where specialized clinical treatment programs are provided. Duties include, but are not limited to: establishing, negotiating, and maintaining affiliation agreements and Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs). Serve as a liaison with the university in determining when students may be sent for training, the number of students to be sent, areas of training and assignment; designing, conducting, and evaluating educational experiences for students, associated health trainees, and other personnel assigned to clinical program(s) for training. Arrange and serve as instructors for staff in-service training programs, and serve on curriculum committees of colleges and universities, and have substantive input into the course content for students. The kinesiotherapists are responsible for the selection of appropriate preceptors, monitor timely evaluations of students, provide counseling as needed, and keep schools apprised of student performance. Review student performance, discuss deficiencies, and address any questions or concerns with student trainee and/or preceptor; and develop an action plan to address any problems, concerns, or deficiencies identified. References: VA Handbook 5005/132, Part II, Appendix G21, Kinesiotherapist Qualification Standard GS-0635 Veterans Health Administration. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: VA Handbook 5019/1, Part II, Pre-Placement Physical Examination and Evaluation.

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 Carl T Hayden Veterans' Administration Medical Center 650 East Indian School Road Phoenix, AZ 85012 US
• Name: Felicia Markham
• Phone: 909-583-6134
• Email: [email protected]