Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist)

Summary

The individual in this assignment spends the majority of his/her time working as a clinical specialist. Independently resolves complex Physical Therapy problems, adapting treatment plans for patients with challenging disorders. Serves as a subject matter expert and consultant to staff in the specialty area. Mentors other therapists and provides in-service and clinical training programs to support staff development.

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Duties

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VA Careers - Physical Therapy :

MAJOR DUTIES:CLINICAL: Direct care: 80% divided as follows:

1. Uses standard and non-standard methods for evaluating complex caseload to identify problems and baseline levels of function.
2. Develops or modifies evaluation process to positively effect patient care.
3. Develops appropriate treatment plans and goals; performs complex treatment procedures modifying the treatment according to the patient's changing medical condition or because of a variety of severe physical disabilities.
4. Measures, fits, and instructs patients for the use of complex adaptive and assistive devices.
5. Provides leadership and effectively coordinates patient care issues with other health care providers. Performs required documentation in a timely manner.
6. Recognized as a clinical authority and resource for identifying contra-indications and suggesting innovative treatment plans in specialty area.

CLINCAL -Indirect: Teaching and Education 10%

1. Has attained advanced training/certification and experience in the specialty area. Continually increases knowledge and skills by attending seminars, workshops, lectures, and in-services, especially in specialty field.
2. Conducts in-service programs for the Rehabilitation Service and shares knowledge of new or improved techniques with staff.
3. Acts as clinical supervisor and preceptor for Physical Therapy and Physical Therapist Assistant students. In coordination with the Clinical Educator, provides guidance to other therapist's concerning the duties and responsibility of a clinical instructor.

ADMINISTRATIVE: (10%)

1. Identifies operational problems for specialty area. Provides recommendations for problem resolution to the Clinical Manager.
2. Works within the PM&RS and assigned team structures to resolve operational problems and provide the highest quality, most efficient patient care possible.
3. In conjunction with Clinical Manager and Business Manager, provides recommendations and management of supplies and equipment for the specialty program serves.
4. As directed by Clinical Manager, develops, maintains, and submits statistics and other required reports in appropriate timeframes.
5. Provides input on the supervision of professional and support staff personnel for effective management of the specialty program served.
6. Performs additional duties as assigned by Clinical Manger, Business Manager or Service Chief.

Work Schedule : Monday - Friday, 7:30am to 4:00pm

Compressed/Flexible :Available for highly qualified candidates, after 90 days.

Telework : Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement # : 00000

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives : Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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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.
• 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 ( Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• 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).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 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 trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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 experience:
  1. Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist.
  2. Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist.
  3. Doctorate degree in physical therapy.
• NOTE: Individuals must be a graduate of a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredited college or university. The CAPTE is the only accreditation agency recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) to accredit entry-level physical therapy programs. Verification of accredited programs may be obtained from the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) at
  • NOTE: Foreign Graduates: Graduates of foreign physical therapy programs meet the requirements if they have a full unrestricted and current license to practice physical therapy in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. The Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT) is a non-profit organization created to assist the United States (U.S.) Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly INS) and U.S. state licensing authorities by evaluating the credentials of Foreign Educated Physical Therapists (FEPTs) who wish to immigrate and work in the U.S. Although the licensing of physical therapists in the U.S. is a right and responsibility of each jurisdiction, foreign educated individuals must undergo an educational credentials assessment for substantial equivalency to the first professional degree in the US.
• Licensure . Individuals hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice physical therapy in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. Non-licensed PTs, who otherwise meet the basic requirements in this standard, may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate PT at the GS-11 grade level under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 (a)(1)(D) for a period not-to-exceed two years from the date of employment on the condition that such PT provide care only under the supervision of a PT who is licensed. Failure to obtain licensure during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment.
• 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. See Chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part.

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 : In addition to the basic requirements for appointment in paragraph 2, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates.

Grade Determinations : In addition to the basic requirements for appointment in paragraph 2, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates.

GS- 13 Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist)

• 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:

1. 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
2. Board Certification in the specialty area recognized by the ABPTS; or
3. Completion of a fellowship program; or
4. An additional advanced degree in a related field. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs.

• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
  1. Advanced knowledge and expert skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in a specialized treatment area of physical therapy.
  2. 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
  3. Ability to teach and mentor medical center staff in a specialized content area of physical therapy.
  4. Ability to guide the work of a multi-disciplinary team in a specialized content area of physical therapy.
  5. Advanced knowledge and expert skill to perform and interpret specialized procedures and tests in evaluating the treatment outcomes in the assigned specialty content area

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).

Preferred Experience: Physical Therapist preferred. Candidate will have APTA Board Certification as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist and have at least 2 years of clinical practice in the outpatient setting.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13

Physical Requirements: The position will require walking, standing or sitting for periods of up to or beyond 10 to 12 hours each day. Delivery of care may also require excessive bending, lifting and twisting. Under urgent or emergency situations, the incumbent may need to run and/or sprint

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: 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:

Additional information

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.

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.

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.

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