Physiologist - Exercise

at  US Veterans Health Administration

QUALIFICATIONS

Basic Education Requirement: Applicants must possess a Degree in one of the basic animal sciences or physiology; or a related discipline or field of science that included at least 24 semester hours in the basic animal sciences, of which 10 semester hours were in animal physiology. Evaluation of Education: Courses such as anatomy; cytology; invertebrate and vertebrate zoology; embryology; entomology; animal, dairy, and poultry husbandry; nutrition; genetics; and physiology may be used to meet the 24-semester-hour requirement in the basic animal sciences. Courses in physiology, animal or human physiology, cellular physiology, or courses that were well oriented toward animal or human physiology, e.g., some advanced courses in biochemistry, are qualifying as animal physiology courses. Courses in related fields such as cytology and microbiology (including microbial physiology) may also be qualifying, provided the course work dealt directly with the application of scientific principles underlying animal physiology, or with the methodology and techniques applied in animal physiology work. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED)

IN ADDITION TO MEETING THE BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT ABOVE, YOU MUST ALSO POSSESS EXPERIENCE AND/OR EDUCATION TO QUALIFY FOR THIS POSITION AS DESCRIBED BELOW.

Specialized Experience: Applicants must possess at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level of GS-9 in the Federal service. Specialized experience in the assessment, development, and implementation of an exercise treatment plan in an inpatient, outpatient site-based, and home-based cardiopulmonary rehabilitation and wellness programs; Assessing study participants comprehensively, ascertaining functional capacities as well as pertinent medical, dietary, sleep, and social dimensions; Formulate research methods and suggests options for improving quality, while identifying potential problems, and recommends and implements solutions; Screen and recruit candidates for clinical trials using objective rating techniques to determine eligibility, administer informed consent; Maintain study records and case report forms; and train users in tests, study protocols, study procedures, and equipment operation.
OR
Education Substitution: Possess a Master’s or equivalent graduate degree that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that number cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered an academic year of graduate study. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED)
OR
Combination of Specialized Experience and Education: Possess a combination of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience may be used to meet total experience requirements. Only graduate level education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be combined with experience. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED)

A Quality Ranking Factor* has been requested by the facility to help determine which of the basically qualified applicants are likely to be better qualified for a position. The quality ranking factor for this position is: experience in utilizing scientific rationale to design, implement and supervise exercise programming for those with chronic diseases, conditions and/or physical shortcomings; assessing the results of outcomes related to exercise services provided to those individuals; providing services that focus on the improvement of physical capabilities for the purpose of: (1) chronic disease management; (2) reducing risks for early development or recurrence of chronic diseases; (3) creating lifestyle habits that promote enhancement of health; (4) facilitating the elimination of barriers to habitual lifestyle changes through goal-setting and prioritizing; (5) improving the ease of daily living activities; (6) and increasing the likelihood of long-term physical, social and economic independence. NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week.

• Quality Ranking Factors are skills, knowledge, abilities, or other worker characteristics which could be expected to result in superior performance on the job. Quality ranking factors will not be used for screening, but may be used as ranking criteria. Applicants with higher proficiency levels may rank above those with lower proficiency levels on a quality ranking factor.

You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position:

• Clinical Data Collection/Documentation
• Interpersonal Skills
• Pathophysiology
• Quality Ranking Factor
• Research

IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Physical Requirements: The work involves active supervision of exercising participants. Some work requires periods of walking, standing, bending. Employees occasionally carry light items, such as books, small instruments, and other similar materials. Work is performed in a laboratory and office setting. May involve occasional exposure to a laboratory that involves risks and hazards that require safety precautions.
For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management’s website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

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: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).
Your responses to the assessment questionnaire will be reviewed along with the information provided in your resume and supporting documentation to determine if you are qualified for the position. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your rating may be lowered and/or you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate’s abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

Candidates who apply under All U.S. Citizens announcements will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. Qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The categories are defined as follows:

• Best qualified - applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position;
• Highly qualified - applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the requirements of the job;
• Well qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in some, but not all, of the requirements of the job; and
• Qualified - applicants possessing experience and/or education that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors.

Application of Veterans’ Preference: Category rating and selection procedures place those with veteran’s preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. Preference eligible applicants that meet the eligibility and qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent are listed in the highest quality category (except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level or higher).
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

• Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

• Required Documents

As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you’re a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you’re eligible under their policies.

IF YOU ARE RELYING ON YOUR EDUCATION TO MEET QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

• How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 07/29/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12485058.

• To begin, click Apply Online to create a USA JOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
• Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJobs account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Application page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities (i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities), and/or disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. For more information on how to apply using this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator within the office, contact the facility Human Resources Department at (202) 020-2020.
The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 85 or more before any Veterans preference points) for this vacancy. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM’s Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

IF YOU ARE RELYING ON YOUR EDUCATION TO MEET QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Help

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Performing detailed mobility assessments in the study participants, include the use and analysis of wearable sensors, actigraphy, electronic gait mat.
• Performing detailed vestibular assessments in the study participants.
• Applying theories and principles for clinical assessments in observational and intervention study.
• Formulating research methods and suggests options for improving quality, while identifying potential problems, and recommends and implements solutions.
• Screening and recruiting candidates for clinical trials using objective rating techniques to determine eligibility, administer informed consent.
• Training users in tests, study protocols, study procedures, and equipment operation.
• Implementing scientific research projects both independently and in a coordinated effort as part of a multidisciplinary research team.
• Must be aware and sensitive to the clinical needs of each patient and closely coordinate any concerns or recommendations for clinical modifications with the principal investigator/supervisor.
• Assisting with the performance of a variety of special testing such as cardiopulmonary exercise testing.
• Assisting in execution of skeletal muscle biopsies and maintaining skeletal muscle biopsy supplies.
• Conducting exercise interventions such as exercised based assessment related to the protocols for patients as part of research protocols.
• Independently conducting specialized physical function testing including muscular strength, power, and endurance testing, inspiratory muscle testing, specialized balance assessment, as well as gait and balance assessments.
• Counseling of patients on exercise prescription and appropriate physical activity recommendations as part of research protocols.
• Responsible for following all study protocols, analyzing, and performing data entry base on study guidelines.
• May use statistical and electronic data capture software such as Excel, SPSS, SAS, REDCap for data entry, reporting, and analysis.
• Sending reports of the study tests to subjects, and be responsible for communicating with subjects regarding payment, questions, scheduling and assisting with communication with the VA administrative offices in consultation with the PI and other study personnel.
• Overseeing data management within the lab including, mobility sensor devices, electronic gait mat sensor devices, clinical data, works closely with data manager in database design and development.
• Preparing manuscripts and grant proposals.
• Submitting or assisting with preparing Internal Review Board (IRB) and other regulatory submissions and audits for research studies.
• Assisting with writing Standard Operating Procedures for data analysis and management.
• Performs other duties as assigned

A Quality Ranking Factor* has been requested by the facility to help determine which of the basically qualified applicants are likely to be better qualified for a position. The quality ranking factor for this position is: experience in utilizing scientific rationale to design, implement and supervise exercise programming for those with chronic diseases, conditions and/or physical shortcomings; assessing the results of outcomes related to exercise services provided to those individuals; providing services that focus on the improvement of physical capabilities for the purpose of: (1) chronic disease management; (2) reducing risks for early development or recurrence of chronic diseases; (3) creating lifestyle habits that promote enhancement of health; (4) facilitating the elimination of barriers to habitual lifestyle changes through goal-setting and prioritizing; (5) improving the ease of daily living activities; (6) and increasing the likelihood of long-term physical, social and economic independence. NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week.

• Quality Ranking Factors are skills, knowledge, abilities, or other worker characteristics which could be expected to result in superior performance on the job. Quality ranking factors will not be used for screening, but may be used as ranking criteria. Applicants with higher proficiency levels may rank above those with lower proficiency levels on a quality ranking factor

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50’s (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (VA)
• Other (1)
• Other (2)
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcrip

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50’s (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (VA)
• Other (1)
• Other (2)
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcrip