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Summary Position is located in the Kinesiotherapy section of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS). Duties involve working with adult and geriatric adult patients in Extended/Long-term care (intermediate medicine, CLC), Ambulatory Care (outpatients), and Acute Care (general, medical, and surgical), Acute Care and Chronic Psychiatry, and CBOCs. Responsibilities This is an open continuous announcement accepting application until September 30, 2024. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available. Duties include, but are not limited to: Conducts independent assessment using observation highly specialized evaluations and diagnostic fitness testing procedures; evaluates the patient's overall physical condition, including balance, coordination, strength, flexibility, endurance, skills, and aptitudes; conducts initial and ongoing evaluations of patients based on physiological, kinesiological, and psychological knowledge. Incumbent has the knowledge of evidence-based kinesiotherapy to provide skilled rehabilitation interventions to a wide variety of patients having diverse and multiple disabilities. Gathers pre-evaluation data, interprets medical record information, reviews therapy prescriptions, and evaluates the patient to develop and implement a treatment plan. Incumbent devises specific activities, group-oriented programs, and routines to maintain or4 improve general state of health, physical fitness or conditioning where it is absent or to restore it where it has been lost due to disease or disability; develops psychosocial activities for the relief of frustrations; guides ambulation and provides gait training after injury, surgery, amputation, paralysis or neurological disorder; and develops proficiency in mobility and self-care activities of daily living. Incumbent frequently selects, recommends, adapts, constructs, and designs orthotic, prosthetic, assistive devices, and/or major/minor equipment and instruct patient/caregiver in the proper use, application, and care of such devices. Follows up on the status of patient who fail to report for treatment and/or for those patients who have progressed to the maximum status of rehabilitation. Educate and counsels patient, families, and/or significant others about the disability incurred, any intervention measures to decrease the disability, and any necessity to continue an at home therapy program. Functions as an active member of the multidisciplinary team for the purpose of providing total health care delivery and continuity of care to the patient by sharing ideas, exchanging pertinent information, planning treatment, recommending the need for kinesiotherapy service. Posses the 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 future in-depth specific assessment of function and utilization of non-standard methods and techniques. Elicits patient participation and independently employs a variety of motivational techniques to ensure patient or group participation in KT treatment program where objectives are difficult to achieve due to severity or complexity of disabilities. Determines need of orthotic or assistive devices training and educates patient and/or significant other in the proper application/installation/use. Collaborates with the Prosthetic Services related to specialized equipment consults and follows through appropriately. Attends and participates in pertinent educational experiences such as in-service training, lectures, seminars, and workshops. Documentation is required of specialized training in specific subspecialties of kinesiotherapy over and above that expected of the journeyman level. Complies and submits statistical data and reports quality assurance finding to document program effectiveness, caseload, and patient treatment/attendance. Independently develops KT patient education materials, handouts, and forms. Supervises Kinesiotherapy students, therapy aides, work study students, and volunteers working with patients. Orients other medical center personnel to KT services, science, procedures, and techniques related to patient care provisions/options. Provides additional training and in-services for both KT staff and other VA staff members as assigned based on their advanced educational degrees, specialized certifications and/or job requirements or job duties specific to KT. Organizes, maintains, and secures work area and equipment to provide a clean, safe, and therapeutic environment as outlined by supervisory staff, JACHO guidelines, station policy and infection control staff members. Program, fire and safety codes, infection control, OSHA, equipment training, SPR, and prevention of waste in accordance with OPM, VA regulations and established medical center guidelines. Incumbent performs other duties as assigned by supervisor o kinesiotherapy. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 09:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 544-01834A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements 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 have 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 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. Preferred Experience: Prior experience with wellness programs and general exercise science. 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. 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/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.