Kinesiotherapist (Clinical Specialist)

The Kinesiotherapist Clinical Specialist is primarily responsible for evaluating, planning and implementing the treatment program for patients with various disabilities and medical conditions within the Tennessee Valley Healthcare System.

Duties include but not limited to:

• Independently reviews and interprets medical consults for accurateness and appropriateness of orders and contacts physicians or designee for clarification when needed.
• Develops, implements, and modifies a highly complex individualized KT plan of care for a wide variety of medical diagnosis using a variety of standard and nonstandard methods. The treatment plan will directly affect the patient's social, economic, and functional well­being. The plan will include measurable short and long-term goals based on patient's goals.
• Re-evaluates the treatment plan appropriately in regards to patient progression or decline secondary to physical deficits, mental disabilities, psychosocial events or cultural factors.
• Determines need of orthotic or assistive devices training and educates patient and/or significant other in the proper application/installation/use.
• Independently solves complex problems related to KT and adapts and modifies treatment plans, activities, and procedure to meet the needs of the patients and/or caregivers.
• Documents in writing patient's initial, interim, and discharge progress notes in a timely manner.
• Collaborates with the Prosthetics Services related to specialized equipment consults and follows through appropriately.
• Consistently communicates and treats customers (patients, visitors, volunteers, and all Medical Center staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner.
• Provides the customers with consistent information according to established policies and procedures.
• Provides care and/or services appropriate to the age of the patients being served, and which is appropriate to the cognitive; emotional, and chronological maturation of the patient.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30 am- 4:30 pm
Telework: Ad-Hoc
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 70942-F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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.

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Education (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED):
  • 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. (COPY OF REGISTRATION REQUIRED); 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. (COPY OF CERTIFICATE REQUIRED); OR
  • Foreign Graduates: Graduates with a bachelor's or master's degree as described above AND 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. (FOREIGN EQUIVALENT EVALUATION REQUIRED) (COPY OF REGISTRATION REQUIRED)
• Registration: All applicants must be registered in kinesiotherapy in good standing with the COPSKT.

Grade Determinations:

Specialized Experience, GS-12: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level (may include, but not limited to: specialized knowledge and demonstrated clinical competence related to a particular diagnosis, patient population, or treatment area and has an increased depth and breadth of practice skills. Experience refining programs and introducing new approaches for providing treatment in developing, initiating and refining treatment programs through current research and best practices of the profession. Experience demonstrating skills and techniques in a specialty area and/or specific population who have varying degrees of highly complex physical, psychological and/or physiological disorders.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) GS-12: In addition to the experience and/or education listed above, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs to be appointed at the GS-12 grade level:

• 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.]

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is 12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12.

Physical Requirements: Work includes regular and demanding physical exertion in standing, bending, kneeling, reaching, gripping, and walking. Moderate to heavy lifting is required to assist patients and operate equipment. Sitting is required in meetings and for conducting administrative work. Above average agility may be desirable in defending oneself ( or others) against physical attack/abuse. Work requires physical health, normal use of arms and legs, and good visual and auditory acuity.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.