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. 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) Physical Requirements. Outlined below. (f) 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: In addition to the basic requirements, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade and assignment of candidates. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G21 - Kinesiotherapist Qualification Standard. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. ["https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf As the lead Kinesiotherapist, incumbent assumes administrative and technical/professional responsibility for planning, directing and ensuring efficient and smooth operation of the Kinesiotherapy program at this Medical Center. The K.T. staff will consist of three Kinesiotherapist and two rehab therapy assistants whom provide treatment for patients referred from the clinical service lines. In addition, incumbent provides direct patient care for the following patient population: Inpatient, Outpatient, Domiciliary and ECRC. Duties include, but are not limited to: ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES 1. Assigns and evaluates work of the K. T. staff and resolves problems which may interfere with the delivery of patient care in the K.T. section. 2. Provides leadership to the K.T.'s, therapy assistants and volunteers assigned to K.T. 3. Participates in the interview and selection process for new appointments. Conducts orientation and training for all new staff members in this section. 4. Monitors workload and leave schedules to ensure equitable workload distribution. Authorizes emergency leave (up to three days) and limited amounts of sick leave for team members. 5. Monitors team member's performance, providing information to the supervisor relative to individual and team performance standards, ratings, promotions and awards. Ensures that EEO standards and policies are observed and enforced. 6. Ensures that a safe working environment is maintained and that all mandatory training sessions are attended. 7. Collects and compiles data for statistical and narrative reports and submits in a timely fashion. 8. Identifies equipment and supply needs for K.T. section and makes requisition through appropriate authorities. Assists in determining budgetary needs for K.T. and maintains CMR for section equipment. With the Rehab Supervisory, assists in the design or modification of treatment areas, including physical layout, budgetary needs. 9. Directs the K. T. Quality Improvement program. 10. Participates in PM&R monthly staff meetings, quality improvement meetings, safety meetings as well as interdisciplinary team meetings as required. 11. Communicates to the KT staff the problems to be solved or program issues under review, coaching the staff or individual members in identifying the parameters of a viable solution and ensuring that the organization's vision is integrated into the team's goals, strategies, activity plans and work products. 12. Keeps in touch with the status and progress of work, making adjustments in accordance with established priorities. by recommending tour of duty changes, or overtime or compensatory time, and obtaining other types of assistance from the supervisory. CLINICAL DUTIES 1. Provides treatment for patients having diverse, complex and multiple disabilities. Evaluates, develops and implements Kinesiotherapy treatments to meet each patient's individual rehabilitation objectives. 2. Administers a program of medically prescribed therapeutic treatments which include therapeutic exercise and education to improve the quality of life and health of the individual by developing physical fitness, increasing functional mobility and independence and by improving psychosocial behavior. 3. Interprets physician's general order to \"evaluate and treat.\" 4. Evaluates functional abilities, using a variety of standard and non-standard tests. Assesses patient's overall physical condition including balance, muscle strength, range of motion, coordination, flexibility, skill and endurance. 5. Based on results of evaluation and as prescribed by physician, KT develops and implements specific treatment plan with short and long term goals to maintain or improve patient's condition when it is decreased or lost due to disease or disability. 6. Continues to provide therapy in areas of specialty such as cardiac rehabilitation and wheelchair seating. Covers for staff therapists when necessary. Provides assistance to staff therapists with complex cases as needed. 7. Continues to re-evaluate patient's performance making appropriate modification when indicated. Documents all pertinent information in patient's medical record. 8. Orients patients, residents and staff to the functions of Kinesiotherapy. Provides in services to all Medical Center personnel regarding KT therapeutic programs as needed. 9. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00AM to 4:30PM 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 Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)"]
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.
