Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist)

The Physical Therapist - Clinical Specialist evaluates, plans treatment program on an individual basis for patients referred with levels of function ranging from simple to the most complex. Utilizes standard and non-standard methods, based on contemporary and evidenced based physical therapy (PT) practice, particularly as related to orthopedic/neurologic patients.

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.
• Education and/or Experience. The individual must meet at least one of the following requirements below:
  • Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist.-OR-
  • Master's Degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist.-OR-
  • Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy.
• PLEASE NOTE: Individuals must be a graduate of a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredited college or university.

Foreign Graduates - Graduates of foreign physical therapy programs meet the requirements if they have a current, full, active, and unrestricted license to practice physical therapy in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia.

• State Licensure. Candidates must possess a full, current, and unrestricted state license to practice physical therapy in a state, territory or Commonwealth of the United States (i.e. Puerto Rico), or in the District of Columbia.
• English Language Proficiency. Individuals appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA must be proficient in written and spoken English.

Grade Determinations:

Physical Therapist GS-13 Grade Determinations:
Specialized Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level and one of the following:

• Evidence of a minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice directly in the specialty area. This time must be between the past two and five years; or
• Board Certification in the specialty area recognized by the ABPTS; or
• Completion of a fellowship program; or
• An additional advanced degree in a related field. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Advanced knowledge and expert skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in a specialized treatment area of physical therapy.
• Ability to serve as a consultant and subject matter expert for health care providers regarding the delivery of care within a specialized content area of physical therapy.
• Ability to teach and mentor medical center staff in a specialized content area of physical therapy.
• Ability to guide the work of a multi-disciplinary team in a specialized content area of physical therapy.
• Advanced knowledge and expert skill to perform and interpret specialized procedures and tests in evaluating the treatment outcomes in the assigned specialty content area.

Preferred Experience:

• Evaluate, develop and implement patient specific treatment plans for chronic pain patients as well as synergistic group therapy treatment plans for chronic pain rehab.
• Ability to manage and oversee chronic pain rehab program and provide analytics to measure effectiveness, result success and patient and customer satisfaction.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13.

Physical Requirements: Day to day work involves moderate lifting and carrying (15- 44 pounds); use of fingers; both hands required; walking (2-3 hours); standing (2-3 hours). Work may be alone and closely with others.

Responsibilities:

VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY

Major Duties include but are not limited to:

• Evaluates, plans treatment program on an individual basis for patients referred with levels of function ranging from simple to the most complex.
• Utilizes standard and non-standard methods, based on contemporary and evidenced based physical therapy (PT) practice, particularly as related to orthopedic/neurologic patients.
• Adapt and apply treatment procedures for acutely ill patents who have a combination of severe mental or physical disabilities with secondary complications.
• Employment of unusual and innovative treatment techniques to obtain the best medical/surgical outcomes.
• Flexibility of schedule must be maintained to allow for unscheduled patients and for mentoring and consultation.
• Tests are frequently complex and may need to be adapted because of multiple physical and emotional disabilities or present orthopedic/neurologic conditions.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Telework: ADHOC
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 71272-F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Salary : $106,437