Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. This job is open to current permanent Department of Veteran Affairs employees, current permanent Federal employees of other agencies and all US Citizens.

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The Kinesiotherapist independently conducts assessments and develops evidence-based treatment plans matched to diagnostic complexity, providing integrated, progressive skilled rehabilitative interventions across the continuum of care.

GS-11 (Full Performance Level):

• Independently conducts assessments using specialized functional evaluations and diagnostic tests; interprets results to establish patient needs and treatment priorities.
• Develops individualized evidence-based treatment plans that address diagnostic complexity and functional goals; adapts tools and interventions to patient needs and response.
• Provides integrated and progressive treatment modalities across the continuum (e.g., pre-habilitation, acute, sub-acute, transitional, home-based, post-rehabilitative, and wellness programs).
• Administers musculoskeletal, neurological, ergonomic/biomechanical, psychological, and task-specific functional tests and measures (e.g., vitals, strength, endurance, ROM, coordination, static/dynamic balance, cardiovascular endurance, gait analysis, posture, gross sensory impairment, functional mobility, ADLs, and prosthetic/orthotic gait, care, and training).
• Analyzes results and integrates findings into treatment progression to achieve maximum outcomes; documents objective measures and clinical reasoning.
• Coordinates and collaborates within the multidisciplinary team to provide comprehensive care, employ multiple treatment approaches, and accomplish complex treatment objectives; communicates clearly with patients, families, caregivers, and healthcare professionals.
• Educates patients, caregivers, and staff on navigating policies and procedures to maneuver through the health system, and provides instruction aligned with learning principles and behavioral interventions.
• Demonstrates advanced clinical reasoning to determine needs for further in-depth assessment and continuation or modification of treatment; utilizes non-standard methods and innovative techniques when indicated.
• Adapts assessment tools and treatments to diagnostic complexity and disability level; identifies when additional specific functional assessment is required.
• Monitors and reports work status, program quality, performance improvement data; makes recommendations for process improvement consistent with NAVAHCS and PM&R goals.
• Participates in quality improvement initiatives, evidence-based practice updates, and competency development.
• Completes timely, accurate, and comprehensive documentation of evaluations, treatments, progress notes, and care plans in accordance with VHA/NAVAHCS standards; ensures safety, infection control, and privacy compliance.

• Individuals at this grade level serve as developmental kinesiotherapists. They are responsible for examination, evaluation and treatment interventions that demonstrate a clear progression of clinical knowledge and experience by providing modified treatment interventions based on the patient's response (e.g. identifying individual risks, contraindications, and advancement and progression of challenging treatment interventions) that utilize the application of innovative procedures and problem solving. Deviations from regular procedures, unanticipated problems, and unfamiliar situations are referred to more experienced staff for a decision or assistance. Assignments at this level will include developmental duties of increasing scope and diversity as compared to the entry level. It is expected that kinesiotherapists at this grade, perform more complex work while receiving less frequent supervision than at the entry level.

• Individuals at this grade level serve as an entry level kinesiotherapist. The entry level kinesiotherapist receives guidance from more experienced staff members. They are responsible for but not limited to: examination, evaluation, treatment intervention, and prevention of musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiopulmonary, and integumentary impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

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 Proficiency. Kinesiotherapist candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f).
• Education. Candidates must have:
  • 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 COPS-KT. 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 COPS-KT and a certificate verifying completion of a Center of Excellence (COE) Kinesiotherapy clinical training program. NOTE: The completion of the certificate ensures that COPS-KT 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 COPS-KT.
  • Loss of Credentials: 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

• 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:
  • Knowledge of policies and procedures of kinesiotherapy.
  • 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.
  • Knowledge of evaluation and assessment tools in applying therapeutic techniques.
  • Skill in instructing patients and families in a therapeutic exercise program.

• 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 the following KSAs:
  • Skill in communicating and coordinating with patients, families, caregivers, and other health care professions to facilitate the multidisciplinary treatment process.
  • Knowledge of evidence-based kinesiotherapy to provide skilled rehabilitation interventions to a wide variety of patients having multiple disabilities.
  • Ability to conduct independent assessments using highly specialized evaluations and diagnostic tests.
  • Knowledge of learning principles, behavioral intervention, and innovational techniques for patient and caregiver education.
  • 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.
  • Ability to use clinical reasoning necessary to identify the need for further in depth specific assessment and/or continuation of treatment.

How you will be evaluated

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

Area of Consideration: Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:

1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility.
2. All other VA employees.
3. Current permanent Federal employees of other agencies.
4. All other applicants.