---

Veterans Health Administration is Hiring a Kinesiotherapist Near Colorado, CO

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.
• 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 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.
    ***NOTE: See Exception below

• Foreign Graduates. Graduates of a foreign program must meet the requirements in subparagraph 3b 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).
• Registration. All applicants must be registered in kinesiotherapy in good standing with the COPSKT.
• Exception. 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. Applicants who fail to obtain registration during this temporary fulltime appointment must be terminated. For grade levels at or above the full performance level, the candidate must be registered.
• Failure to Obtain Registration. In all cases kinesiotherapists must actively pursue meeting registration starting from the date of appointment. At the time of appointment, the supervisor must provide the unregistered kinesiotherapist with a written requirement to obtain registration, the date by which the registration must be acquired, and the consequences for not becoming registered by the deadline. Failure to become registered within two years from the date of appointment, will result in removal from the GS-0635, Kinesiotherapist series; and may result in termination of employment.
• 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.]
• Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA [as a Kinesiotherapist] on the effective date of this qualification standard are
  considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:
  • Such employees ] may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journeyman) level, or [changed to a lower grade] within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
  • Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard, may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
  • Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or license/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard, must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.
  • Kinesiotherapists who are converted to title 38 hybrid status] under this provision,[and subsequently leave the occupation, will lose their] protected status, and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation.
• 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).]

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade and assignment of candidates.

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:
  • 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.

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:
  • 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 diverse and 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.

Preferred Experience: Previous experience with a weight management program

References: VA Handbook 5005/132, 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: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019

Responsibilities:

Major responsibilities of the incumbent include, but are not limited to:

• Evaluates the history of patients by interviews, tests, and measurements; and use such findings to develop and implement goal-driven kinesiotherapy programs for individual patient
• Emphasizes the psychological as well as physical interventions to enhance behavior change components for a holistic approach to weight management
• Counsels and monitors Veterans to maximize safety and minimize injury and other complications from physical activity and provide expert consultation to MOVE! team, and other health care professionals
• Provides home programs as appropriate and involves patient, family, caregivers, and/or significant others in this process
• Identifies patients in need of higher level of exercise or rehab therapy and refer them appropriately
• Plans strategies to develop and deliver physical fitness /exercise education aspects of health promotion programs
• Uses independent judgement to interpret physician's orders, develop treatment plans, evaluate the patient's progress and change plan accordingly
• Maintains accurate and timely clinical records including progress notes, attendance records and other clinical observations. Reports are reviewed for general adequacy and effectiveness in achieving objectives. Progress notes documentation is performed according to policy and entered in the appropriate medical record
• Completes professional development related to exercise and weight management
• Utilizes virtual care technology to improve access to care
• Assists with cross coverage for the MOVE! staff and scheduling as needed
• Functions independently and accurately when record keeping
• Actively participates in formal and informal interdisciplinary team meetings.
• Maintains productivity standards
• Complies with The Joint Commission requirements and other accrediting agency standards to ensure safe and quality patient care
• May perform other related duties as assigned which are appropriate for this grade and assignment

Customer Service

• Incumbent must meet the needs of customers while supporting VA Missions; consistently communicate and treat customers (Veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VA Staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner; provide customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures; and handle conflict and problems in dealing with customers constructively and appropriately.

Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 0700-1800
Telework: Available for highly qualified candidates.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 554-58811-0
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Job Summary