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:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only 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.
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.
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.

• Registration: All applicants must be registered in kinesiotherapy in good standing with the COPSKT.
• 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).

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations
Kinesiotherapist GS-12: In addition to the basic requirements, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade and assignment of candidates.

1. Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11).
2. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
3. (a) Ability to coordinate and maintain academic agreements and assignments for student affiliations with universities, colleges, and other academic organizations.
   (b) Knowledge of contemporary kinesiotherapy across multiple areas of practice and provide clinical guidance to staff kinesiotherapists within the department.
   (c) Ability to provide consultation to other health care practitioners and outside groups about the practice of kinesiotherapy and areas of expertise.
   (d) Ability to synthesize (create) clinical processes and practice in order to guide and train the students' clinical/educational experience and skills.]
   (e) Knowledge of AKTA practice guidelines and COPSKT certification requirements.
   (f) Ability to apply appropriate problem-solving methods and techniques.
4. Assignment: For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Clinical education coordinator positions generally would be found in Complexity Level 1 (High Complexity) or in facilities of lesser complexity levels where there is an affiliation with kinesiotherapy programs. The kinesiotherapist at this level develop and administer clinical training programs for students, facility, staff, and/or physical medicine and rehabilitation therapy disciplines. This assignment occurs at active, affiliated VHA facilities where specialized clinical treatment programs are provided. Duties include, but are not limited to: establishing, negotiating, and maintaining affiliation agreements and Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs). Serve as a liaison with the university in determining when students may be sent for training, the number of students to be sent, areas of training and assignment; designing, conducting, and evaluating educational experiences for students, associated health trainees, and other personnel assigned to clinical program(s) for training. Arrange and serve as instructors for staff in-service training programs, and serve on curriculum committees of colleges and universities, and have substantive input into the course content for students. The kinesiotherapists are responsible for the selection of appropriate preceptors, monitor timely evaluations of students, provide counseling as needed, and keep schools apprised of student performance. Review student performance, discuss deficiencies, and address any questions or concerns with student trainee and/or preceptor; and develop an action plan to address any problems, concerns, or deficiencies identified.

References: VA Handbook 5005/132, Part II, Appendix G21, Kinesiotherapist Qualification Standard GS-0635 Veterans Health Administration.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.

Physical Requirements: VA Handbook 5019/1, Part II, Pre-Placement Physical Examination and Evaluation.