Qualifications

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
• 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)
• Education
• Candidates must have: 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 COPS-KT
• 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 COPS-KT and a certificate verifying completion of a Center of Excellence (COE) Kinesiotherapy clinical training program
• NOTE: The completion of the certificate ensures that COPS-KT 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 COPS-KT
• Loss of Credentials: Registered Kinesiotherapists who fail to continue their registration in good standing, and maintain the required registration, must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment Grade Determinations: Grade GS-7: None beyond the basic requirements
• Grade GS-9: Experience/Education
• One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
• OR education equivalent to two full years of progressively higher level graduate education or a master's degree from a university or college in the field of kinesiotherapy or an exercise science related field
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Knowledge of policies and procedures of kinesiotherapy
• Knowledge of assistive devices to make recommendations, including fit and function of assistive devices with the ability to recognize appropriate prosthetic/orthotic devices for the patient
• Knowledge of evaluation and assessment tools in applying therapeutic techniques
• Skill in instructing patients and families in a therapeutic exercise program
• Grade GS-11: Experience/Education
• One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
• 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
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all 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 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
• 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)
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-7 to GS
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.