Kinesiotherapist (Clinical Specialist) Spinal Cord InjuryDiseases

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30 2026. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be December 16 2025 with subsequent cut-off dates every two weeks until September 30 2026. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled. Applicants who are referred will be considered for 90 days after 90 days applicants will have to reapply.

Duties include but not limited to:

Clinical Functions: Patient Care Performs patient evaluation:

• Veterans are scheduled for evaluation considering caseload complexity and acuity of medical condition. Coordinates Veteran schedule with other interdisciplinary team members.
• Recognizes the appropriateness of treatment based on indications precautions and contraindications and uses professional judgement to initiate consultation to the appropriate provider.
• Advance skills to perform and interpret specialized evaluative procedures and tests in the treatment outcomes in the assigned specialty area.
• Performs demonstrates and exhibits comprehensive knowledge in the selections of appropriate equipment needed to improve safety/function for individuals they treat.

• 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.
• Implements complex and innovative therapeutic techniques not limited to: joint replacement therapy orthopedic knee and hip dysfunction shoulder dysfunction complementary and alternative modalities (CAM) and mobility training to maintain or achieve veterans physical and/or emotional rehabilitation potential.

• Incumbent has advance skills to perform and interpret specialized evaluation procedures and tests in the specialty area of mental health which includes but not limited to physical function cognition (dementia/Alzheimers) nutrition comorbidities psychological status and social support.
• Demonstrates a full professional understanding of selective therapeutic techniques and modalities related to the patient population being treated. Serves as a mentor or consultant for patients Kineisotherapy staff and Medical Center Healthcare team members in the areas of Kinesiotherapy and Mental Health.
• Develops and implements comprehensive advanced and complex treatments using advanced skills and techniques which may include but are not limited to: psychiatric diagnosis 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.

• Understands and adheres to department program and facility procedures.
• Receives triages and assigns patient referrals/consults patient self-referrals adheres to consult compliance established guidelines.
• 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.
• Provides relief coverage as needed in any PM&R program in the event of shortage of staff to maintain the continuum of patient care.

• Identifies learning activities for self and others. Participates and contributes to the advancements of knowledge and techniques related to specialty services Mental Health and Kinesiotherapy via in-services and/or conducts mentorship projects. Conducts in-services for interdisciplinary team and other rehabilitation programs.
• Keeps up advance knowledge and maintains current concepts and trends in Mental Health Kinesiotherapy and evidence based medicine/rehabilitation practices through literature reviews study of current research clinical practice and through attendance to continuing education courses conferences and in-services (at least annual training in specialty area from an accreditation body approved by Council on Professional Standards for Kinesiotherapy (COPSKT).
• Provides 2 in-services per year to staff members regarding Kinesiotherapy services techniques and protocols in the specialty area.

Conditions of employment

• 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 ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• 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.

• 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.

Qualifications

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:
  • A bachelors 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 bachelors 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 masters 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.
  • 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).

• In addition to meeting the basic requirements one year experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-11). Examples of experience include but are not limited to 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.

  AND

  One of the following:

  • Evidence of a minimum of 2000 hours of clinical practice directly in the specialty area within the last 5 years; or
  • Certification in the specialty area from an accreditation body approved by COPSKT; or
  • An additional advanced degree in a related field; or
  • Completion of a fellowship program.

• 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.

• 3 years prior experience in older adult neurological population setting providing direct patient care
• Knowledge of and experience with spinal cord injuries multiple sclerosis and geriatric conditions
• Therapeutic / Rehabilitation / Adaptive Sports experience with adult and older adult populations
• 2 years experience performing KT services in both therapeutic group and individual settings
• Prior experience with writing and creating weight management and nutrition programs