Physiologist
Summary
This position is a Physiologist with the organizational title of Exercise Physiologist located in the Social Work and Intergrated Care. The primary purpose of the position is to function as Gerofit research and clinical program manager, to lead the activities of the program team, and to provide scientific, clinical, and technical knowledge and support to the Program. The Service functions within the Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.
Duties
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Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Program Management (75 percent)
1.Conducts and manages an exercise program tailored to individual patients, taking into consideration their age, health conditions, and physical functioning.
2.Plans and sustains a portfolio of funded research in the field of aging, exercise, and functional decline.
3.Selects and administers physical performance measures for Gerofit research and clinical activities.
4.Acts as Program Manager for Gerofit research and clinical project(s) and leads and participates in the activities of the team. Manages communications and changes to the scope, direction, and processes of projects.
5.Plans management approach for projects; conducts complete evaluations of project operations; collects, analyzes, manages and documents data; interprets results; and documents and reports findings.
6.Organizes the data collection and data management processes. Assures compliance with study protocols, study operations manuals, standard operating procedures, and other relevant policies and procedures.
7.Develops follow-up procedures to monitor participant progress. Establishes, coordinates, monitors and manages outcomes-based research and analyses.
8.Assigns specific duties to program employees, as required, and monitors activities and quality of work specific to projects.
9.Prepares reports for both written and oral presentations to the general scientific community to be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at meetings and conferences.
10.Monitors program progress, budget requirements, and timelines as required for VA reports and other relevant guidelines. Reviews regular status reports and statistical data to verify compliance with e search reporting and administrative criteria.
11.Plans, develops and completes required documentation/paperwork/forms to applicable Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) for initial and continuing human subjects review.
12.Establishes program goals and objectives and identifies results indicative of successful program accomplishments.
13.Establishes a schedule of team meetings, develops meeting agendas, and facilitates ongoing study activities.
14.Provides training and consultation to program team personnel in project protocols, policies, and procedures, including appropriate clinical interview procedures and data collection and maintenance.
Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday; 8:00am to 4:30pm
Compressed/Flexible: Not available
Telework: This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Physiologist/PD91817A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Available
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Available
Requirements
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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
- 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 ([click to reveal website link]). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's 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)
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
- 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.
Upon completion of your probationary period or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/18/2025.
Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-9. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.
Basic Requirements:
You may qualify based on your experience and/or education s described below:
- Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-9 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Conduct and modify/adapt exercise strength, flexibility and balance testing and develop appropriate individualized exercise prescriptions; Develop significant and innovative recommendations for weight management physical activity programs and/or methods; experience in selection, administration and interpretation of physical performance tests; applying concepts, principles, practices, and methodology in managing human physical exercise rehabilitation programs involving analyzing individual data. OR,
- Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed three (3) years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree that provided the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to do the work of a Physiologist. This education must have been obtained in an accredited in an accredited college or university. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.. OR,
- Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond the second year and specialized experience, as described above, which may be used to meet total experience requirements for this grade level. This education portion must include graduate courses that provided the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to do the work of a Physiologist and must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.
You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:
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; religions; 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.
Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. 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.
Preferred Experience: Experience working with bariatric or geriatric patients, certification (e.g., group fitness instructor, health coach, senior fitness specialist, weight management, strength and conditioning coach, etc.)
Physical Requirements: The work involves a wide range of physical demands from sedentary work, sitting in a standard office setting, to moderate and heavy physical demands which include the ability to lead exercise demonstrations and transfer patients in an emergency setting when necessary within the facility (i.e. cardiac arrest during group activities). The work will require long periods of standing, walking, bending, crouching, reaching while leading exercise demonstrations. There is a need to show exercise equipment and be physically active with the patients in designing and teaching an exercise program. Moderate to heavy lifting is required to assist patients and operate equipment. Sitting is required in meetings and for conducting administrative work. The job may require physical stamina, normal use of arms and legs, and good visual and auditory acuity.
For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at [click to reveal website link].
Education
Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed three (3) years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree that provided the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to do the work of a Physiologist. This education must have been obtained in an accredited in an accredited college or university.
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: [click to reveal website link]. 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: [click to reveal website link].
Additional information
Receiving Service Credit or 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.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana and Michigan (VISN 10) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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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.