The Kinesiotherapist Clinical Specialist (KT/CS) in this position provides direct patient care and therapy services on an independent basis across the continuum of care to veterans at the VANTXHCS Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service. He/She has responsibility for serving as the subject matter expert in a content specialty area of Mental Health and as a consultant to kinesiotherapy and other medical center staff in evaluating and treating patients in this specialty area. Basic Requirements: Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 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. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) 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 COPSKT. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) 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. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) 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 Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level and one of the following: (a) Evidence of a minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice directly in the specialty area within the last 5 years; or (b) Certification in the specialty area from an accreditation body approved by COPSKT; or (c) An additional advanced degree in a related field; or (d) Completion of a fellowship program. Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge [in a range] of specialized [interventions and treatment modalities used in a specialized treatment area of kinesiotherapy. (b) Ability to serve as a consultant/mentor for health care providers regarding the delivery of care within a specialized area of kinesiotherapy. (c) Skill to perform and interpret specialized evaluative procedures and tests in the treatment outcomes in the assigned specialty area. (d) 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 mental health setting with direct patient care population Knowledge of and experience with substance abuse, depression, bipolar, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders Therapeutic / Rehabilitation 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 References: VA Handbook 5005/132, Part II, Appendix G21 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 state issued Driver License to operate a government vehicle. This travel may require the transportation of Protected Health Information. ["The Kinesiotherapist in this position has responsibility for serving as the subject matter expert in a content specialty area of Mental Health and as a consultant to kinesiotherapy and other medical center staff in evaluating and treating patients in this specialty area. This individual must demonstrate advance skills/competency and techniques in care of the mental health patient population who have varying degrees of highly complex physical, functional and/or mental problems. This includes skills to perform and interpret specialized evaluative/assessment procedures and tests, in the areas physical function, cognition (Dementia/Alzheimer's), substance abuse, nutrition, comorbidities, psychological status, and social support. 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. 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. Mental Health Clinical Specialist Functions:Administrative functions include: 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.Occational weekends and holidays as needed for patient care. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.
