Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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The incumbent is a Exercise Physiologist who is responsible for the assessment, development, and implementation of cardio/pulmonary inpatient and outpatient treatment plans, with site-based and home-based programs. He or she will also spearhead process improvement and implement innovative initiatives in these programs as they continue to expand. The incumbent will provide education to maximize the patient's awareness of the importance of regular exercise, develop specific and individualized exercise programs, educate on exercise tolerance, indications/contraindications, safety and limits, as well as monitor the patient's response to exercise.

Duties and Functions:
Assessment and Direct Clinical Care

• Incumbent will independently evaluate patients using evidence- based procedures and techniques appropriate for diagnosis to establish a baseline function. The incumbent will be analyzing the results of the medical and physical assessments, chart review, six-minute walk test, patient preferences and goals to create an exercise treatment plan. The incumbent use physical ability assessments include screening for cardiopulmonary risk factors to identify risks or challenges to allowing a patient to actively participate and ensure necessary work-up prior to program start.
• Incumbent will perform an initial chart review to verify diagnosis and current medical status, identify cardiovascular risk factors in order to begin planning education and interventions and determine the existence of any comorbidities or complications that may increase the risk of a recurrent cardiopulmonary event.
• Incumbent will perform an initial patient interview including: assessment for admitting diagnosis, present illness and clinical status, current signs and symptoms, past medical history, social history, employment status, risk factors for coronary artery disease, pulmonary disease and chronic diseases, comorbidities, alcohol or substance abuse and identification of support systems for future health behavior change and medical issues. Medical assessment also includes vitals, auscultation of heart and lung sounds, peripheral pulses, and edema.
• The incumbent will then consult with the program director to report the data and individualized treatment plan. Incumbent will develop and implement ongoing, individualized therapy treatment programs. Treatment programs will include measurable or time specific goals with reevaluation and alteration of treatment plan as necessary based upon patient progress and specific needs.
• Incumbent will educate patient on exercise plan and use their knowledge of exercise prescription to create an onsite or home-based program to meet the individual needs of the patient. Incumbent will make recommendations for appropriate exercise equipment use in the clinic or at home and provide orientation to exercise equipment including, but not limited to, exercise peddler, treadmill, bike, upper body ergometer, Nu Step, exercise bands and pedometer.
• Incumbent will closely monitor patient use of equipment and their physical response to exercise. The incumbent assesses the patient physiological response to exercise and identify changes and progressions to their program based on their response. Their response to exercise may require the incumbent to develop and/or adapt guidelines to maximize physical activity while limiting coronary artery disease symptoms and other adverse effects. The incumbent will report and document of adverse events as necessary.
• Incumbent will be a member of the cardiopulmonary treatment team. They will collaborate with patient/family/team members and other health care providers in meeting patient treatment goals. They communicate with team members in weekly meetings on patient progress and any barriers or concerns on patient safety or progress.
• Incumbent will complete weekly phone or video calls with review of current patient performance to plan exercise progression as part of the home-based program. Phone or video calls include review of vitals, current physical performance and weekly education topics. Motivation interviewing is key skill for phone calls.
• Incumbent performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30 AM- 4:00PM
Compressed/Flexible: Available
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: Physiologist - Exercise/PD24764A

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.
• 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.
• 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).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• 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.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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:

Basic education: A minimum of a bachelor's degree in exercise physiology, exercise science, kinesiology, or a related field is required.

Evaluation of education: Coursework includes anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, nutrition, health and fitness assessment, injury prevention care, and exercise prescription.

Grade Determinations GS-09 : Do you possess a Bachelor's degree (or higher) from an accredited college or university in exercise physiology, exercise science, kinesiology, or a related field of science? The degree must include at least 24 semester hours in the scientific areas related to exercise physiology, of which at least 10 semester hours must be in exercise physiology. Courses in human physiology, cellular physiology, or courses directly oriented toward human physiology (such as relevant advanced biochemistry courses) are qualifying. Courses in related areas such as kinesiology, biology, or microbiology may also be qualifying, provided the coursework deals directly with the application of scientific principles underlying human physiology, or with the methodology and techniques applied in exercise physiology work.

AND

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 policies and procedures of exercise physiology and kinesiotherapy.
(c) Knowledge of assistive devices to make recommendations, including fit and function of assistive device.
(d) Knowledge of [learning principles, behavioral intervention, and innovational] techniques [for patient and
caregiver education.

Grade Determination GS-11: Experience/Education. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level or completion of at least two full years of progressive graduate education or Master's degree in field directly related to position.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

• Accountability
• Customer Service
• Decisiveness
• Developing Others
• External Awareness
• Financial Management
• Human Capital Management
• Strategic Thinking
• Technology Management

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.

Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

Preferred Experience: Experience providing exercise testing and prescription specifically for patients with chronic cardiac and/or pulmonary conditions in a healthcare or rehabilitation setting. Experience collaborating with an interdisciplinary clinical care team (such as physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, and dietitians). Previous experience working in an accredited Cardiac or Pulmonary Rehab program. Advanced skill in developing individualized exercise prescriptions for patients with multiple comorbidities. Experience utilizing electronic health records for documentation and interdisciplinary communication. Proficiency in patient and family education regarding risk factor modification and lifestyle change in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation. Experience delivering group education classes or support groups for cardiac/pulmonary patients.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

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 GS-11.

Physical Requirements: The work involves a wide range of physical demands from sedentary work, sitting in a standard office setting, to moderate and heavy physical demands which include the ability to lead exercise demonstrations and transfer patients in an emergency setting when necessary within the facility (i.e. cardiac arrest during the cardiopulmonary exercise test or six minute walk). The work will require long periods of standing, walking, bending, crouching, reaching and leading exercise demonstrations. On occasion, incumbent must be capable of assisting with transferring patients that may weigh over three hundred pounds (identifying and utilizing appropriate safe patient handling equipment).For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

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, resume, 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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

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.