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 Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f).
- Education:
(1) 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
(2) 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 Council of Professional Standards for Kinesiotherapy (COPSKT). OR
(3) 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.
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:(1) 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.(2) 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.(3) 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.(4) 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.
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:
GS 07
(1) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.
(2) Assignment. 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.
GRADE DETERMINATION: GS 09
(1) Experience/Education. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS 07) 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.GS 07 equivalent experience: examination, evaluation, treatment intervention, and prevention of musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiopulmonary, and integumentary impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities.
(2) 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.
GRADE DETERMINATION: GS 11
(1) Experience/Education. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS 09) 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.GS 09 equivalent experience to include but not limited to the following:(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.
AND
(2) 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.
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 range of GS-7 to GS-11.
Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.