Summary Tai Chi/Qigong Instructors are responsible for independently conducting tai chi and qigong well-being classes. Tai Chi/Qigong Instructors develop and share educational information including written instruction for 'at home' and 'self-care' practices with class participants. They prepare and set up tai chi and/or qigong equipment to support scheduled events and activities ensuring that class areas are clean, safe and set according to procedures. Responsibilities GS 6 Duties: Employees at this grade level serve as full performance level Tai Chi/Qigong Instructors. Responsible for independently conducting tai chi and qigong well-being classes. Develop and share educational information, including written instruction for 'at home' and 'self-care' practices, with class participants. Prepare and set up tai chi and/or qigong equipment to support scheduled events and activities, ensuring that class areas are clean, safe and set according to procedures. Planning and coordinating the details of tai chi/qigong activities with other staff members to make maximum use of facilities, services and other resources (for example, maintaining a calendar of events). Conduct regular inventories and ensure that all supply and equipment requirements are identified/justified and requested through proper channels and that any equipment/facility problems are reported to the management team. Develop promotional material based on current research that informs health care providers and patients about the benefits of tai chi and/or qigong to encourage participation. Identifying and sharing with patients the tai chi and/or qigong resources available in the local community. Tai Chi/Qigong Instructors mentor Tai Chi and/or Qigong Instructor trainees and new employees. Effectively communicate to leadership issues surrounding tai chi and/or qigong and discuss program progress related to utilization, patient outcomes, satisfaction, etc. Evaluate the effectiveness of ongoing tai chi/qigong programs from participant response, resources, unforeseen developments and program objectives to develop best practices. Perform these duties with limited supervision and seek assistance from the supervisor only in urgent or emergent circumstances. GS 7 Duties: Employees at this grade level serve as advanced-level Tai Chi/Qigong Instructors. Collaborate with and inform/educate other medical staff on the appropriate tai chi/qigong referral for patients with complex health conditions. Create standards and protocols for tai chi and/or qigong teachers. Develop curriculum for full-length courses in well-established fundamentals of tai chi/qigong to include the development of toolkits, videos, manuals and online training programs, taking into account the Veteran's needs and available resources. Evaluate the effectiveness of ongoing tai chi/qigong programs from the standpoint of participant response, resources, unforeseen developments and program objectives to develop best practices. Effectively communicate to leadership issues surrounding tai chi and/or qigong and discuss program progress related to utilization, patient outcomes, satisfaction, etc. Regarding travel and driving requirement: Primary duty station will be Buffalo VA. Up to 25% of work time weekly may be spent traveling to providing Tai Chi/Qigong classes at other sites in Western New York, including Batavia VA, as determined by the needs of the Program. One work day per week may require evening hours as determined by Program. Flexibility to set a work schedule with a compressed tour can be negotiated. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 8:00am- 4:30pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 99317-FS Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. 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: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Experience/Supervised Practice. Applicants must have a minimum of 50 hours of supervised tai chi or qigong instruction. c. Education. The individual must have accumulated a minimum of 150 hours of formal Tai Chi or Qigong Instructor education. The 150-hour requirement may include the 50 hours of supervised instruction under 4(b) and any time spent in a formal educational program leading to certification under 4(d). d. Certification. Candidates must be currently certified to provide tai chi or qigong instruction. Acceptable certifications must have required successful completion of a minimum 30-hour tai chi or qigong instruction program. (1) Exception for Non-Certified/Non-Registered Tai Chi/Qigong Instructors. (a) Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for certification may be temporarily appointed as a Tai Chi/Qigong Instructor under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2). (b) Non-certified individuals shall only provide care under the supervision of a certified Tai Chi/Qigong Instructor at or above the full performance level. (c) Non-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry-level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained. (d) Temporary appointments of non-certified Tai Chi/Qigong Instructors may not be extended beyond 2 years or converted to a new temporary appointment. (2) Failure to Obtain Certification/Registration. In all cases, Tai Chi/Qigong Instructors must actively pursue meeting requirements for certification starting from the date of their appointment. At the time of appointment, the Tai Chi/Qigong Instructor supervisor provides the Tai Chi/Qigong Instructor with the written requirements for certification/registration, including the time the certification/registration must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming certified by the deadline. Failure to obtain certification/registration during this period may result in termination of employment. (3) Loss of Credential. In collaboration with HR staff, management officials must immediately relieve employees of the duties and responsibilities associated with this occupation who fail to maintain the required certification/registration, which may also result in separation from employment. e. English Language Proficiency. Tai Chi/Qigong Instructor candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 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). Grade Determinations: Tai Chi/Qigong Instructor, GS-06. (1) Experience. One year of creditable experience is equivalent to the next lower grade. (2) Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Skill in providing and modifying tai chi (e.g., seated tai chi, bedside instruction, etc.) and/or qigong as part of the complementary and integrative health approaches to meet the needs of individuals of all abilities. (b) Skill in applying tai chi/qigong modalities to patients with physical or psycho-social challenges. (c) Skill in developing marketing tools (flyers, advertisements, web invites, etc.). (d) Ability to develop a calendar or schedule of classes for participants. (e) Ability to assess inventory for the purposes of developing a budget and ordering supplies. d. Advanced Tai Chi/Qigong Instructor, GS-07. (1) Experience. One year of creditable experience is equivalent to the next lower grade. (2) Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to meeting the experience or educational requirements for this grade level, the candidate must fully demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Skill in reviewing and monitoring data to ensure all records and reports are complete and accurate. (b) Ability to apply tai chi/qigong principles and techniques to effectively address a wide variety of highly complex patient conditions. (c) Knowledge of data analysis strategies used to optimize quality, efficiency, performance and productivity. (d) Ability to develop tai chi/qigong course curriculum and associated education materials. Preferred Experience: Experience instructing participants on the foundational guidelines of tai chi/qigong (basic principles of Chinese medicine, including the theoretical background of internal Qi trajectories, primary meridians, Qi cultivation principles and utilization of the Dantians) focusing on relieving pain, stress, poor circulation and enhancing strength, flexibility, balance and cardiovascular health. Experience communicating effectively with class participants (knowing participants names, motivating participants, answering questions, use tact when addressing concerns and problems) to inspire a fun, enjoyable and positive environment while fostering wellness and engagement. Experience applying tai chi/qigong principles and techniques to effectively address a wide variety of highly complex patient conditions. Experience developing tai chi/qigong course curriculum and associated education materials. Experience in providing and modifying tai chi (e.g., seated tai chi, bedside instruction, etc.) and/or qigong to meet the needs of individuals of all abilities, including those with physical or psycho-social challenges. Experience in developing a calendar or schedule of classes for participants. Experience documenting in an electronic medical record, ensuring all records and reports are complete and accurate. . Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is 7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 6 to 7. Physical Requirements: Physical See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. Education Graduate education or an internship meets the specialized experience required above GS-5 only in those instances where it is directly related to the work of the position. One full year of graduate education meets the requirements for GS-7. 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/. 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. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. 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.