Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist)

Overview Join the Salem VA Medical Center – Where Purpose and Quality of Life Come Together! This position is located in the Physical Therapy Department within the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service at the VA Medical Center in Salem, Virginia. The Staff Physical Therapist is a licensed professional therapist primarily responsible for evaluating, planning, implementing, and monitoring treatment programs for patients with a variety of disabilities and medical conditions. 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. Citizenship: Candidates must be a citizen of the United States. In the absence of qualified citizens, personnel may be appointed on a temporary basis under authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405 without regard to citizenship requirements. Eligibility for grade and position must be met. Education and experience: Must meet at least one of the following: Bachelor's degree in physical therapy and five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. Master's degree in physical therapy and two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. Doctorate degree in physical therapy. Licensure: Full, current, and unrestricted license to practice physical therapy in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia. English proficiency: Must be proficient in written and spoken English for direct patient‑care roles under 38 U.S.C. §§ 73 or 74. Graduation from a CAPTE‑accredited program is required. Verification of accredited programs may be obtained from the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) at May count as creditable experience if covered by the Grandfathering Provision described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (applicable only to current VHA employees who meet criteria). Grade requirements include: Creditable experience reflecting knowledge, skill, and ability in contemporary professional practice. Experience may be demonstrated through active professional practice, postgraduate fellowship or residency, or other equivalent training. Quality of experience must be post‑degree professional practice directly related to duties. Experience must be at a level comparable to or exceeding the next lower grade level. GS‑13 Clinical Specialist: Must have one year of progressively complex practice equivalent to GS‑12 and meet one of the following: At least 2,000 hours of clinical practice directly in the specialty area within the past two to five years. Board certification in the specialty area recognized by ABPTS. Completion of a fellowship program. Additional advanced degree in a related field. Advanced KSAs include specialized intervention expertise, consulting, teaching, and guidance of multidisciplinary teams. Preferred experience includes specialized experience in pain management. Assignments typically involve significant scope, complexity, and variety; 25% or more of time is spent with specialized populations. Specialty areas may include geriatrics, neurology, cardiopulmonary, orthopedics, spinal cord injury, amputee, wound care, chronic pain, electromyography, women's health, polytrauma, brain injury, lymphedema, vestibular, assistive technology, seating and mobility. Responsibility includes serving as subject‑matter expert and consultant to staff in evaluating and treating patients in the specialty area. Clinical specialists use advanced knowledge to adjust treatment plans and identify therapeutic activities based on patient needs and goals. Skills include advanced technology training and regular communication with other health‑care providers. May serve as faculty in a PT residency program, if applicable. Reference: For more information on qualification standards, visit Physical requirements: Lifting/carrying up to 45 pounds, frequent walking, standing, and sitting up to 8 hours/day; occasional stooping, kneeling, overhead reaching; use of both hands and fine manipulation; vision and hearing accommodations as specified. Dress appropriately in gloves and safe environment in facilities. Duties Act as a core multidisciplinary team member delivering comprehensive health care and ensuring continuity of care. Maintain relationships with medical and allied health specialists to coordinate rehabilitation efforts. Participate in ward rounds with physicians and team members. Provide education on theoretical and practical aspects of physical therapy to various groups within the medical center. Interpret prescription requests for physical therapy and apply specialized knowledge in evaluating patient conditions. Assess and treat patients entering through direct access or self‑referral; identify red flags and refer appropriately. Utilize clinical prediction rules for diagnostic referrals. Document patient care in medical records for clinician communication. Evaluate patients’ functional levels and disabilities across age ranges (18–39, 40–64, 65+). Modify treatment plans based on developmental needs and patient responses. Assess need for home equipment, order or devise necessary devices, and conduct home visits for recommendations and measurements. Serve as a subject‑matter expert for at least 25% of time; not to exceed 75% of duty time. Provide evidence‑based solutions and advanced expertise across the continuum of care. Deliver in‑service and clinical training programs on pain management and specialized treatment approaches. Update PT staff on pain management and specialized therapies during weekly in‑services and PM&R staff meetings. Educate medical residents, students, and fellows rotating through the center. Document findings and status changes clearly in progress notes; maintain coding practices to support reimbursement. Participate in continuing education through workshops, conferences, and literature review. Contribute to a safe therapeutic environment in all clinical areas. Work schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Telework: Not available; position is not virtual. Relocation/incentives: None authorized (Permanent Change of Station and PCS Appraised Value Offer not authorized). #J-18808-Ljbffr Mapta