The Kinesiotherapist-clinical specialist under Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service functions in the role of an independent clinician. This health care professional 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

The Kinesiotherapist will work with highly specialized programs consisting of an interdisciplinary medical teams (to include but not limited to: medical doctor, nurse practitioner, licensed social worker, nutritionist and pharmacist). Duties include but not limited to: Patients are evaluated in such a manner as to not negatively impact other clinical staff yet meet the patient's needs. Coordinates specialty skilled assessments. Patient medical records are reviewed to assess appropriateness of Kinesiotherapy intervention; to identify potential risks or contraindications 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. Evaluations are conducted without consultation with other therapists. Evaluations 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. Evaluations address rehabilitation potential, behavior, motor skills, and psychosocial development at an age appropriate level. Barriers to learning are identified and strategies to overcome them developed and implemented to ensure accurate patient evaluation. Required assessments for the programs including Safety and Functional Assessments are completed on a timely and accurate basis. Skilled care needs are independently assessed and recommended to the Primary Care Physician. Independently schedules assessment and treatment for identified patients. Evaluates and treats under Physician's orders. Evaluation findings are used to develop and implement comprehensive patient treatment plans including objective, measurable goals and timelines for completion. These goals are developed in collaboration with the patient, family and/or stakeholder input. Adapts and modifies treatment plans, activities, and procedures to meet the needs of patients with complex disabilities. Documents treatment progression and/or modifications according to PM&R Program, Medical Center and JCAHO standards. Responsible for home safety evaluations and setting up adaptive equipment in the home. This requires the therapist to train the caregivers. The therapist is also responsible to teach patients safety precautions when using oxygen in determine if needed by monitoring the patient's ox pulse. Ensures appropriate patient referrals and discharge planning in concert with Primary Care, PM&R and other Medical Center staff. Ensures adequate coding and documentation within timeframes to support Medical Care Cost Recovery billing in support of Medical Center reimbursement, and revenue streams. Provides patient care which is appropriate to the cognitive, emotional and chronological maturation needs of the adult or geriatric and/or geriatric patient. The incumbent must demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients serviced in his or her assigned service area. Develops all fire evacuation plans in the home and instructs patients and caregivers on use of and placement of smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. Investigates current concepts and scientific principles in Kinesiotherapy practice through literature reviews, study of current research, clinical practice, assisting in research trials, and through attendance at continuing education courses and conferences. Serves as Clinical Instructor for any assigned student, and/or assistants. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 70985F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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. English Language Proficiency: Kinesiotherapist candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed. Registration-Submit Documentation: All applicants must be registered in kinesiotherapy in good standing with the COPSKT. Education: 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 Council of Professional Standards for Kinesiotherapy (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. Foreign Graduates. Graduates of a foreign program must meet the basic requirements, 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). 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 Grade Determinations GS-12: Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11), 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge [in a range] of specialized [interventions and treatment modalities used in a specialized treatment area of kinesiotherapy. Ability to serve as a consultant/mentor for health care providers regarding the delivery of care within a specialized area of kinesiotherapy. Skill to perform and interpret specialized evaluative procedures and tests in the treatment outcomes in the assigned specialty area. Skill in developing protocols and procedures for intervention programs based on current kinesiotherapy theory, recent research, and evidence based practice. Preferred Experience: The Aquatic Rehabilitation Specialist functions in the role of an independent clinician while serving as an integral member of the Aquatic Therapy, Pain Management, and interdisciplinary teams. Aquatic therapy services are available to OIF/OEF, Polytrauma, SCI, Inpatient, Outpatients and the Outpatient Chronic Pain Management Program. and/or The Spinal Cord Injury Clinical Specialist is responsible for organizing, developing, and coordinating the treatment of patients in the Spinal Cord Injury Program (SCI). The Clinical Specialist provides patient treatment, manages/completes all consultations referred to the Kinesiotherapy Spinal Cord Injury Department. Also serves as a consultant and liaison for the aforementioned outpatient specialty populations. The Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Clinical Specialist works under the supervision of the Chief of Kinesiotherapy. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: The physical demands of a Supervisory Kinesiotherapist, PM&RS are considered "medium duty: with regards to strength and endurance according to the Department of Labor. Medium work entails exerting 20-50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and /or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Frequent standing, walking, bending, sitting, crouching/kneeling, and changing from one position to the other frequently throughout the day. Sitting at a desk and using upper extremities to reach, grasp, and place papers, charts, and binders. Reaching, lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling: 1-10 pounds constantly, 10-25 pounds frequently, and 20-50 pounds occasionally.

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: Manuel Colon
• Phone: 407-631-8496
• Email: manuel.colon@va.gov