Summary

The Kinesiotherapist in this position has responsibility for serving as the subject matter expert in a content specialty area of Spinal Cord Injuries and Disorders and the Spinal Cord Injury Long Term Care service areas as a consultant to kinesiotherapy and other medical center staff in evaluating and treating patients in this specialty area Organization/Department: VA North Texas Health Care System / Program I - Spinal Cord Injury/Disorders (SCI/D) - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service

Qualifications

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
• 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
• English 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: Kinesiotherapist (Clinical Specialist) - GS-12 In addition to meeting the basic requirements - one year experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-11)
• Examples of experience include but are not limited to 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
• AND One of the following: Evidence of a minimum of 2 -000 hours of clinical practice directly in the specialty area within the last 5 years
• or Certification in the specialty area from an accreditation body approved by COPSKT
• or An additional advanced degree in a related field
• or Completion of a fellowship program
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in a specialized treatment area of kinesiotherapy
• Ability to serve as a consultant/mentor for health care providers regarding the delivery of care within a specialized area of kinesiotherapy
• Skill to perform and interpret specialized evaluative procedures and tests in the treatment outcomes in the assigned specialty area
• Skill in developing protocols and procedures for intervention programs based on current kinesiotherapy theory - recent research - and evidence- based practice
• Preferred Experience: 3+ years prior experience in older adult neurological population setting providing direct patient care Knowledge of and experience with spinal cord injuries - multiple sclerosis - and geriatric conditions Therapeutic / Rehabilitation / Adaptive Sports experience with adult and older adult populations 2+ years experience performing KT services in both therapeutic group and individual settings Prior experience with writing and creating weight management and nutrition programs 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-12
• Physical Requirements: Should have the ability to perform repetitive physical activities: Up to 4-6 hours of the following: sitting - walking - standing - twisting - bending - stooping - reaching - reaching overhead - grasping and pinching with hands and fine manipulation - such as typing/keyboarding
• Up to 1-2 hours of the following: straight pulling - puling hand over hand - pushing - climbing and kneeling
• Required lifting light to moderate (up to 44 pounds) and carrying light to moderate (up to 44 pounds)
• Required functional hearing with/without hearing aids - near vision correctable at 13-16" - Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other - the ability to use both eyes - depth perception - ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors
• Use of fingers - both hands and use of both legs
• Sitting is required for meetings - administrative work and occasionally driving motor vehicle most of the day
• The ability to drive is required
• The position demands significant physical stress and strain such as transferring patients - crouching and crawling on mats - and occasionally defending self against combative patients assigned to the incumbent
• Work may require good physical health - normal use of arms and legs and good visual and auditory acuity - to evaluate and treat patients - and to use computer - keyboard - monitor - phone - etc
• Work is performed in the clinics - wards - exercise areas - office and conference rooms - occasionally in the home
• May be exposed to infectious diseases - medical and psychiatric emergencies
• The position may require occasional travel away from the duty station to visit Veterans' home - for meetings - conferences and/or training at VA CBOC clinics and other PM&RS locations within VANTHCS
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a VHA issued Driver License to operate a government vehicle
• This travel may require the transportation of Protected Health Information.

Duties

• This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30 - 2026
• The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be December 16 - 2025 - with subsequent cut-off dates every two weeks until September 30 - 2026
• Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled
• Applicants who are referred will be considered for 90 days - after 90 days applicants will have to reapply
• Duties include but not limited to: Clinical Functions: Patient Care Performs patient evaluation: Veterans are scheduled for evaluation considering caseload complexity and acuity of medical condition
• Coordinates Veteran schedule with other interdisciplinary team members
• Recognizes the appropriateness of treatment based on indications - precautions and contraindications and uses professional judgement to initiate consultation to the appropriate provider
• Advance skills to perform and interpret specialized evaluative procedures and tests in the treatment outcomes in the assigned specialty area
• Performs - demonstrates - and exhibits comprehensive knowledge in the selections of appropriate equipment needed to improve safety/function for individuals they treat
• Treatment Implementation: Evaluation findings are used to develop and implement comprehensive patient treatment plans including objective - measurable goals and timeliness for completion
• These goals are developed in collaboration with the patient - family and/or stakeholder input
• Implements complex and innovative therapeutic techniques not limited to: joint replacement therapy - orthopedic knee and hip dysfunction - shoulder dysfunction - complementary and alternative modalities (CAM) - and mobility training to maintain or achieve veteran's physical and/or emotional rehabilitation potential
• Spinal Cord Injuries and Disorders Clinical Specialist Functions: Incumbent has advance skills to perform and interpret specialized evaluation procedures and tests in the specialty area of mental health which includes but not limited to physical function - cognition (dementia/Alzheimer's) - nutrition - comorbidities - psychological status - and social support
• Demonstrates a full professional understanding of selective therapeutic techniques and modalities related to the patient population being treated
• Serves as a mentor or consultant for patients - Kineisotherapy staff and Medical Center Healthcare team members in the areas of Kinesiotherapy - and Mental Health
• Develops and implements comprehensive advanced and complex treatments using advanced skills and techniques which may include - but are not limited to: psychiatric diagnosis - fall risk assessments - neuromuscular facilitation - strength/endurance training - energy conservation - sensory/perception deficits - cognitive impairments and patient/family education - to meet the Veteran rehabilitation objectives
• Treatment may be conducted individually and/or in group settings
• Administrative functions include: Understands and adheres to department - program - and facility procedures
• Receives - triages and assigns patient referrals/consults - patient self-referrals - adheres to consult compliance established guidelines
• Schedules Veterans for treatment - considering priority and frequency of care and coordinating schedules with other members of the treatment team
• Flexibility of schedule must be maintained to allow for unscheduled patients and for family conferences
• Assists with coverage to other PM&R clinics as needed
• Provides relief coverage - as needed - in any PM&R program in the event of shortage of staff to maintain the continuum of patient care
• Education and Research: Identifies learning activities for self and others
• Participates and contributes to the advancements of knowledge and techniques related to specialty services - Mental Health and Kinesiotherapy via in-services and/or conducts mentorship projects
• Conducts in-services for interdisciplinary team and other rehabilitation programs
• Keeps up advance knowledge and maintains current concepts and trends in Mental Health - Kinesiotherapy and - evidence based medicine/rehabilitation practices - through literature reviews - study of current research - clinical practice - and through attendance to continuing education courses - conferences and in-services (at least annual training in specialty area from an accreditation body approved by Council on Professional Standards for Kinesiotherapy (COPSKT)
• Provides 2 in-services per year to staff members regarding Kinesiotherapy services - techniques and protocols in the specialty area
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00a.m
• - 4:30p.m: occasional weekends
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 54190-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized