Kinesiotherapist

Veterans Health Administration • Tuscaloosa, AL

5d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is in the Rehabilitation Medicine Service at the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center. Duties are performed throughout the medical center, including clinical and other patient-care areas. The Kinesiotherapist evaluates patients, develops and implements individualized treatment plans, and provides therapeutic exercise and mobility interventions for patients with a wide range of disabilities and diagnoses. Treatment is adapted to patient response and rehabilitation goals, with an emphasis on maintaining independence, preventing further debilitation, and achieving the best possible outcomes. The position works as part of a multidisciplinary care team and coordinates care with patients, families, and caregivers. The role also requires scheduling and documenting treatment in the hospital’s CPRS system and following infection-prevention practices. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CST, and may change based on agency needs. Ad-hoc telework may be approved; this is not a virtual position.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for appointments when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• A bachelor's degree or higher from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, with a concentration or emphasis in kinesiotherapy; or a bachelor's degree or higher with a concentration or emphasis in kinesiotherapy or a related exercise science field and good-standing COPSKT registration; or a master's degree or higher in exercise science, kinesiology, human performance, or a related field approved by COPSKT, plus a certificate verifying completion of a Center of Excellence Kinesiotherapy clinical training program.
• Registration in kinesiotherapy in good standing with the COPSKT.
• For GS-11, 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 a related exercise science field.
• Demonstrated skill in communicating and coordinating with patients, families, caregivers, and other health professionals to facilitate multidisciplinary treatment.
• Knowledge of evidence-based kinesiotherapy and skilled rehabilitation interventions for patients with multiple disabilities.
• Ability to conduct independent assessments using specialized evaluations and diagnostic tests.
• Knowledge of learning principles, behavioral intervention, and innovative techniques for patient and caregiver education.
• Ability to adapt assessment tools and treatment to complex diagnoses or disabilities and use clinical reasoning to identify further assessment needs, including use of nonstandard methods and techniques.
• Ability to use clinical reasoning to identify the need for further in-depth assessment and/or continuation of treatment.
• Submit transcripts with the application; education must be documented, and a diploma alone is not sufficient.
• Meet applicable pre-employment requirements, including background/security investigation, onboarding, acceptable identification, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to the stated evaluation and certification conditions.
• Meet the physical requirements referenced in VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Nice To Haves

• Home Health experience.
• Self-starter.
• Ability to work independently.

Responsibilities

• Assemble pre-evaluation data, interpret medical record information, review therapy prescriptions, and conduct physical evaluations to develop and implement treatment plans.
• Design activities and routines to maintain or improve health, physical fitness, and conditioning, or restore these abilities after disease or disability.
• Develop therapeutic programs for patients with orthopedic conditions, amputation, muscle weakness, chronic cardiovascular or pulmonary disease, psychiatric diagnoses, dementia, and multiple diagnoses.
• Help prevent physical and mental deterioration and maintain the highest possible level of self-help and independence within the limits of patients’ disabilities.
• Adapt treatment interventions in response to patient outcomes, applying creative problem-solving beyond typical diagnosis-based treatment pathways.
• Interpret and administer physicians’ exercise prescriptions, schedule patients, and coordinate kinesiotherapy with other treatments to meet patient goals.
• Provide therapeutic exercise to strengthen weakened muscles and teach transfers and mobility after prolonged bed rest, amputation, fractures, wounds, and joint replacement.
• Participate as a core member of a multidisciplinary team to support comprehensive care and continuity of care through information sharing and coordination.
• Enter scheduling data into the hospital CPRS system.
• Complete and document initial evaluations, treatment interventions, re-evaluations, and discharge notes in accordance with DRMS and VA policy.
• Select, adapt, and adjust kinesiotherapy interventions to align with rehabilitation goals.
• Coordinate the overall treatment plan with patients, families, and caregivers, emphasizing energy conservation, joint protection, pain management, and ongoing exercise to minimize further debilitation.
• Maintain productivity at the established level for the assigned program.
• Demonstrate and monitor infection-control practices, including hand washing and universal precautions or isolation procedures, including TB precautions.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employees earn annual leave, with accrual rates based on years of federal service; selected applicants may request credit for prior work or military service, subject to approval.
• The VA states that employees and their families have access to a comprehensive federal employee benefits package; specific eligibility depends on position type.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior