Kinesiotherapist - Driver Training Clinical Specialist
Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Application
Details
Posted: 17-Jan-25
Location: Dallas, Texas, Texas
Categories:
Allied Health
Internal Number: 828410800
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 is expected to carry out general duty assignments but primarily serves as subject matter expert in the content specialty area of Driver Training. He/she adheres to established policies, standards of care and standards of practice. 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: Possess current Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist (CDRS) from ADED. 5 years continuous Driver training experience 3 years of CARF and JACHO accreditation knowledge, experience, and participation. Experience in designing specific driving routes, for the on-the-road phase of instruction, to conform to a lesson plan in an effort to ensure the safest and most effective means of teaching a specific driving task. Demonstrates the ability to identify and resolve interpersonal or professional conflicts when dealing with patients and members of the organization. Experience in selecting appropriate vehicle and add-on adaptive equipment best suited to the needs of the individual patient. 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. Frequent /Occasional Travel The position may require occasional travel away from the duty station to visit Veterans' home, for meetings, conferences and/or training 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. Work is mainly Monday through Friday with rotations for weekends and holidays for patient care coverage, as indicated. ["The kinesiotherapist in this position has responsibility for serving as the subject matter expert in a content specialty area of driver training 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 driver training patient population who have varying degrees of highly complex physical, functional and/or mental problems. Duties include but not limited to: Demonstrates advance skills to evaluate client factors (specific capabilities, characteristics or beliefs), performance skills (motor skills, processing skills and social interaction), performance patterns (habits, routines and roles), environment (physical & social), and context (cultural, personal, temporal and virtual), the therapist in this position demonstrates the ability to analyze Veterans performance in order to target identified outcomes. Complex evaluations include medical history, results and interpretation of relevant evidence-based methods and appropriate functional tests and measurements such as (but not limited to): range of motion, muscle strength, sensory/perceptual deficits, cognitive deficits, functional ADL's, pain, endurance, neurological deficits, personal and psychosocial factors relating to the specific rehabilitation program they serve. 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. Demonstrates an advanced professional understanding and knowledge of the theories, principles and techniques of current clinical standards, treatments in kinesiotherapy and their proper application based on evidence-based practice (through the use of activity analysis, behavioral intervention, frame of references, and therapeutic procedures). Demonstrates advanced knowledge, experience and skills in the prescription, fitting, and training in the use of specialty equipment. This includes needs for selecting the appropriate vehicle and add-on adaptive equipment, hand controls, vehicle modifications, orthotics, static and dynamic (custom and/or prefabricated), assistive technology, wheelchair mobility, lifts and lift systems, devices for activities of daily living/fall prevention, and other devices. Assessing the physiological functioning of patients referred by a physician to the Driver Rehabilitation Program by means of personal interview, gross physical and cognitive screening processes (which include procedures in visual acuity, color perception, depth perception, and sign recognition; manual muscle testing, coordination, balance, and endurance; reaction time and measures of cortical involvement) as they relate to a person's ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. Instructing the patient to assume the optimum position for driving. This must be inclusive of transferring to and from the training vehicle, storage of wheelchair or ambulatory aid, body positioning for best balance, and ease of operation and security to the vehicle by means of appropriate restraining devices. Intervening at various phases of patient's illness and/or rehabilitation and working with the patient and the patient's family in the adjustment process of the disability and the relearning process of operating a motorized vehicle which utilizes any variety of add-on adaptive equipment, depending on the severity and type of disability encountered, including assisting in the clarification of the patient's current training status and needs as well as counseling patient and family, when necessary, in equipment selection, procurement and installation, vehicle registration and licensing procedures, and insurance considerations. 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. Develops and implements comprehensive advanced and complex treatments using advanced skills and techniques which may include, but are not limited to: ADLs, 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 Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm, Rotates to cover weekends and holidays as needed for patient care. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized"]
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.