Kinesiotherapist

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) Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. (b) 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. (c) Foreign Graduates: Graduates of a foreign program must meet the requirements in subparagraph (b) 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). (d) Registration: All applicants must be registered in kinesiotherapy in good standing with the COPSKT. (e)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. (f) Physical Requirements. Outlined below. (g) 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: GS-07 Experience: None beyond the basic requirements. Assignments. 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. GS-09 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate 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. Assignment. Individuals at this grade level serve as developmental kinesiotherapists. They are responsible for examination, evaluation and treatment interventions that demonstrate a clear progression of clinical knowledge and experience by providing modified treatment interventions based on the patient’s response (e.g. identifying individual risks, contraindications, and advancement and progression of challenging treatment interventions) that utilize the application of innovative procedures and problem solving. Deviations from regular procedures, unanticipated problems, and unfamiliar situations are referred to more experienced staff for a decision or assistance. Assignments at this level will include developmental duties of increasing scope and diversity as compared to the entry level. It is expected that kinesiotherapists at this grade, perform more complex work while receiving less frequent supervision than at the entry level. GS-11 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate 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. Administer musculoskeletal, neurological, ergonomic, biomechanical, psychological, and task specific functional tests and measures in order to reach maximum outcomes. Coordinate and collaborate within a multidisciplinary team to provide comprehensive care, employ multiple treatment approaches and to accomplish complex treatment objectives. The kinesiotherapist may perform duties such as, accurately test, analyze, evaluate, and record measurements of vitals, muscular strength, endurance, range of motion, coordination, static/dynamic balance, cardiovascular endurance, gait analysis, posture, gross sensory impairment, functional mobility, activities of daily living, and prosthetic and orthotic gait, care and training. Provide education to patients, caregivers and other health care professionals regarding policies and procedures for guidance to maneuver through the health care system. Kinesiotherapists monitor and report on work status, program quality, performance improvement data, and make recommendations for process improvement. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G21 – Kinesiotherapist Qualification Standard. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
This position is in the Physical Medicine & Rehab (PM&R) services in the Specialty Diagnostics and the Northern Arizona VA Healthcare System in Prescott, Arizona. The individual is assigned serves as the subject matter Kinesiotherapist and treating patients in the specialty areas of Kinesiotherapist practice that are beyond the general practice of occupational therapy in the skills in the technology professional with seating mobility specialist.