Entry Level Exercise Science Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

This position is located in the Kinesiotherapy section of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services (PM&RS) in the Memphis VA Medical Center. Individuals in this assignment plans and coordinates the comprehensive Kinesiotherapy Treatment Programs, using knowledge of best practice in the profession, as an integral part of the complex Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service.
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:

• a. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• b. Education and Experience: The individual must meet at least one of the requirements below:
• (1) Bachelor's degree from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Program, with a concentration/emphasis in Kinesiotherapy.

OR,

• (2) 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) 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.
• c. Foreign Graduates. Graduates of a foreign program must meet the requirements in subparagraph 4b 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.
  • Exception. Non-registered applicants at the GS-7 and GS-9 level who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for appointment, may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate kinesiotherapist under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405(a)(1)(B). Pursuant to 38 U.S.C 7405(c)(2)(B), the appointment cannot exceed two years if the non-registered applicant's registration is pending with the COPSKT. Applicants who fail to obtain registration during this temporary full-time appointment must be terminated. For grade levels at or above the full performance level, the candidate must be registered.
• 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). All persons employed in VHA as a Kinesiotherapist on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation.
Grade Determinations:
GS-7, Kinesiotherapist

• Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.
• Assignment. Individuals at this grade level serve as an entry level kinesiotherapist. They are responsible for but not limited to: examination, evaluation, treatment intervention, and prevention of musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiopulmonary, and integumentary impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities.

GS-9, Kinesiotherapist

• Experience/Education. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7) 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.

GS-11, Kinesiotherapist

• Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-9) 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 of 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 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.
• Assignment. This is the full performance level for the Kinesiotherapist. Kinesiotherapists independently conduct assessments and develop treatment plans to the complexity of the diagnosis or disability using appropriate functional tests and measurements according to established evidence-based professional practices. The Kinesiotherapists provide integrated and progressive skilled rehabilitative treatment modalities across the continuum of care. Duties may include, but are not limited to, any of the following: pre-habilitation, acute, sub-acute, transitional, home-based, post rehabilitative, and wellness programs.

Reference: VA Handbook 5005/132 Part II, Appendix G21. KINESIOTHERAPIST QUALIFICATION STANDARDS GS-0635.
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-11.
Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.Education:IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
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/.Employment Type: OTHER