Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist)

Job Duties

Duties include but are not limited to:

Clinical:

• Demonstrates ability to make autonomous clinical decisions in a Direct Access environment with consideration for local Scope of Practice guidelines.
• Reviews and screens patient's medical record for appropriateness of PT intervention,
• Performs comprehensive evaluations and examinations of patients who have or may develop impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions related to conditions of the musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, pulmonary and/or integumentary systems.
• Reviews medical records of patients referred to the CARA PMT to assess for appropriateness of PT intervention, noting any potential risks or contraindications to treatment and to assist in guiding the evaluation process.
• Performs comprehensive evaluations using standard and nonstandard methods for evaluating patients with chronic pain, with an emphasis on assessing patients' beliefs, expectations, and functional status.
• Evaluates veterans' rehabilitation potential, self-efficacy, health behavior and readiness for behavior change, motor skills and psychosocial development at an age-appropriate level.

Educational:

• Advises, teaches, and mentors medical center and Community Based Outpatient Clinic staff regarding care of patients with persistent pain, informs other treating medical staff about the patients' needs and progress; also provides discharge planning information.
• Investigates current concepts and scientific principles in physical therapy practice through literature reviews and study of current research with an emphasis on issues related to pain management.
• Provides continuing education in the form of in-services and clinical training programs to rehabilitation staff on the subject matter of persistent pain management.
• Develops and/or maintains training programs to further advance the clinical knowledge and skills of primary, secondary, and tertiary level physical therapists and physical therapy assistants as it relates to pain management.
• Orients patients, physicians, allied health professionals, students, volunteers and the community representatives to the purpose and function of physical therapy within the NMVAHCS and within the CARA PMT.

Administrative:

• Records and submits in a timely manner productivity and workload information. Submits other data and reports as requested by Supervisor.
• Provides supervisory support, guidance and monitoring for any personnel that function within the physical therapy scope of the CARA PMT team including students, volunteers, physical therapy assistants and staff physical therapists or clinical specialists.
• Independently assumes the responsibility for physical therapy program development in the area of persistent pain management. This includes negotiating program content with clinical team members with divergent backgrounds and points of view.
• Is responsible for creating administrative pathways between CARA PMT and other Medical Center departments to improve access to pain management rehabilitation services.
• Participates in PT quality improvement (QI) program by regularly contributing to the monitoring of important aspects of patient care including peer chart reviews.
• Carries out other job-related activities and special assignments as requested by supervisor.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am- 4:30 pm

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 000000

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

US Department of Veterans Affairs