Kinesiotherapist

Clarification from the agency

Open to U.S. Citizen and Veterans.

The Kinesiotherapist plans and coordinates the comprehensive Kinesiotherapy Treatment Programs, using knowledge of best practice in the profession, as an integral part of the complex Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service. The incumbent Represents Kinesiotherapy in PM&RS, VAMC, state and national associations, and with several affiliated universities, providing educational opportunities for students and staff and is responsible for developing, organizing Kinesiotherapy programs to provide therapeutic treatment in various areas, e.g., Geriatrics, Psychiatric, Spinal Cord Injury, Aquatics, Orthopedics, General Medicine, Surgical, Seating /Wheelchair Clinic, and on Inpatient wards.

The duties and responsibilities of this position are carried out within the medical center including various clinical, administrative, and patient care areas associated with PM&RS. Functions and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Performs appropriate cleansing and re-processing of reusable medical equipment in compliance with VHA directives and SOPs.
• Inputs scheduling data into hospital CPRS. Completes and documents initial evaluations, treatment interventions, re-evaluation, and discharge notes in accordance with PM&R Service and DVA policy that cover the entire course of treatment.
• Maintain relationships with management, co-workers, patients, and the general public are consistently courteous, respectful, and cooperative in nature.
• Display a cooperative attitude and will effectively work together to implement the organization's mission and goals.
• Ensure productivity is maintained at the established level for the program for which he/she is responsible.
• Schedules outpatient clinic appointments using Veterans Health information Systems and Technology Architecture (VISTA) scheduling options. Uses established business rules to schedule appointments for veterans. This includes clinic visits, consultation and entries into the Electronic Wait List (EWL). Complies with the mandatory training requirements for the outpatient scheduling process.
• Keeps up to date with current trends in rehabilitation medicine/therapy through scheduled in-services, library resources, continuing education courses and hospital training and development workshops scheduled by the facility.
• Maintains timely and appropriate documentation of all consults, initial evaluations, progress notes, discharge notes, patient/family education, workload statistics, QA monitors, patient attendance records and other clinical activities. Follows appropriate billing and coding practices.
• Supervises and train students, volunteers, therapy assistants, therapists and non-KT students and support personnel.
• Provides guidance and support to professional and technical students.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 51006F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized

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 identification 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.

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:

• a. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• b. Education and Experience: The individual must meet at least one of the requirements below:
• (1) Bachelor's degree from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Program, with a concentration/emphasis in Kinesiotherapy.

OR,

• (2) 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,

• (3) 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.
• c. Foreign Graduates. Graduates of a foreign program must meet the requirements in subparagraph 4b 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 full-time appointment must be terminated. For grade levels at or above the full performance level, the candidate must be registered.
• 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).

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). 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.

Grade Determinations:
GS-7, Kinesiotherapist

• Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.
• Assignment. Individuals at this grade level serve as an entry level kinesiotherapist. 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.

GS-9, Kinesiotherapist

• Experience/Education. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7) 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.

GS-11, Kinesiotherapist

• Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-9) 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.
• Assignment. This is the full performance level for the Kinesiotherapist. Kinesiotherapists independently conduct assessments and develop treatment plans to the complexity of the diagnosis or disability using appropriate functional tests and measurements according to established evidence-based professional practices. The Kinesiotherapists provide integrated and progressive skilled rehabilitative treatment modalities across the continuum of care. Duties may include, but are not limited to, any of the following: pre-habilitation, acute, sub-acute, transitional, home-based, post rehabilitative, and wellness programs.

Reference: VA Handbook 5005/132 Part II, Appendix G21. KINESIOTHERAPIST QUALIFICATION STANDARDS GS-0635.

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.

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.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume

Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.

Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Other (1)
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

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