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Major duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Receives and interprets requests or instructions for procedures from the physician; plans and implements specialized treatment programs and applies Kinesiotherapy procedures to patients under the general supervision of a senior Kinesiotherapist.
• Completes a preliminary review/examination of patient data/including medical history, complies and organizes pertinent information, and develops/presents a patient profile to be used in assessing patient's status; renders a course of treatment based on the assessed needs of the patient, developing progressive types of Kinesiotherapy treatment programs.
• Develops a comprehensive specialized treatment plan that includes long and short-term goals; persuades and motivates veterans and family members to participate in treatment plans and comply with indicated regimens and post-discharge activities; interacts with the patient and family regarding goals for treatment.
• Assists in the performance of, or independently perform, highly specialized and diverse treatment procedures; administers non-complex active and passive therapeutic exercises; fits, adjusts and instructs patients in use of orthoses, prostheses, wheelchairs, and mobility appliances; instructs and assists patients to learn activities of daily living and improve functional activities; prepares and maintains appropriate equipment and supplies required for these treatments.
• Varies procedures or positions to adjust for veterans' medical conditions; modifies intervention environment, tools, materials, and activities in response to each veteran's response to treatment; adapts the technical procedures and approaches involving new and unusual treatment and rehabilitation objectives to meet the individual veteran's needs; modifies or adapts specialized treatment approaches within the scope of the established treatment plan to reflect the changing needs of the veteran.
• Prepares, presents and interprets written and oral reports for the referring provider, nursing staff, fellow therapists and all other professionals concerned with the patient's care; participates in family and multidisciplinary team meetings to identify patient's needs; reports on patient's goals and progress, and assists in planning patient's treatment program.
• Maintains a safe work environment to include non-technical maintenance of equipment, safety checks, cleaning, stocking, etc.; develops safe work habits to prevent injury to patients, co-workers and self; reports to supervisory Kinesiotherapists the need for equipment or items necessary for patient treatment.
• Maintains a high level of competence through participation in continuing education programs; TMS training, and performs other related duties as assigned.
• Provides all routine clinical activities under the general supervision of a senior Kiniesiotherapist. All therapy notes and consults generated are reviewed for accuracy and compliance with PM&RS policy.
• Independently selects and adapts the procedures and techniques to be used, documents process and outcome in the patient's medical record, and modifies programming based on the findings of the reassessment in accordance with previous training or accepted practices.
• Independently makes recommendations regarding treatment or modifications to treatment plans and actively participates with providers and treatment staff in planning rehabilitative treatment procedures.
• Independently documents all patient care rendered and initiates consults for appropriate patient care equipment inherent to the Kinesiotherapy scope of practice.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:30am - 5:00pm
Functional Statement #: Kinesiotherapist/FS50011
Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

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: Applicants must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7402 (d).
• Education: Applicants must havebachelor'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.

Registration: All applicants must be registered in kinesiotherapy in good standing with the COPSKT. 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

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-7:

Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.

Kinesiotherapist, GS-9:

Experience/Education. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level or education equivalent to two 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. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs:
(a) Knowledge of policies and procedures of kinesiotherapy.
(b) 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.
(c) Knowledge of evaluation and assessment tools in applying therapeutic techniques.
(d) Skill in instructing patients and families in a therapeutic exercise program.

Kinesiotherapist, GS-11:

Experience/Education. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level or a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or three 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. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
(a) Skill in communicating and coordinating with patients, families, caregivers, and other health care professions to facilitate the multidisciplinary treatment process.
(b) Knowledge [of evidence-based kinesiotherapy to provide skilled rehabilitation interventions to a wide variety of patients having diverse and multiple disabilities.
(c) Ability to conduct independent assessments using highly specialized evaluations and diagnostic tests.
(d) Knowledge of learning principles, behavioral intervention, and innovational techniques for patient and caregiver education.
(e) 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.
(f) 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, Part II, Appendix G21

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-07 to GS-11.

Physical Requirements: The work demands periods of intense concentration in planning, analyzing, coordination, and execution. It is primarily sedentary with some slight physical efforts required. Day-to-day work involves sitting, walking, standing and carrying light to moderate objects, such as telehealth machines and related components. Work may be performed in a clinical setting that exposes the incumbent to the communicable diseases common of the client population. Some work is performed in a setting away from the office, where the environment cannot be controlled.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for 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; religions; 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.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.