Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist)

Summary

This position is located in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service, Boise VA Medical Center, Boise, ID.

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Duties

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VA Careers - Physical Therapy :

The duties of this position include, but are not limited to:

• Performs as an independent practitioner, embraces evidenced-based practice standards in diagnosis, examination, management, intervention, treatment and outcome measurement.
• Collaborates across the continuum of care. Ensures that services are coordinated, including recommending studies of value and being consumer centered by referring, co-managing, engaging consultants, and independently supervising care.
• Uses differential diagnosis as a consistent way to screen for systemic diseases and medical conditions that can mimic neuromuscular and musculoskeletal problems. The model covers past medical history, risk factor assessment, clinical presentation, associated signs and symptoms, and review of bodily systems for each patient.
• Manages patients with multiple personal factors and/or comorbidities that impact the plan of care. Completes an examination of multiple body systems using standardized tests and measures, addressing multiple elements from any of the following: body structures and functions, activity limitations, and/or participation restrictions. Manages patients with unstable and unpredictable clinical presentations.
• Exercises clinical decision-making of high complexity using standardized patient assessment instruments and/or measurable assessments of functional outcome.
• Performs PT evaluations and treatments according to established PM&RS/HBPC protocols and/or evidence-based practice guidelines.
• Makes autonomous clinical decisions in an autonomous and/or Direct Access environment. Includes the ability to independently evaluate and treat patients who seek physical therapy services.
• Serves as a subject matter expert for other medical center staff in the evaluation and rehabilitative treatment of individuals with, or at risk to develop, limitations related to cardiovascular, pulmonary, neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, and/or integumentary systems.
• Performs examinations and evaluations of individuals who have or may develop impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions related to conditions of the musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and or/or integumentary systems while considering the effects attributable to unique psychosocial and environmental factors.
• Interprets findings from examination and evaluation, selects appropriate tests and measures, and integrates findings into the physical therapy plan of care for the full range of patient populations.
• Establishes a diagnosis with the scope of physical therapy and identifies the appropriate rehabilitation intervention, including referral to another provider for further consultation as clinically indicated.
• Determines the physical therapy prognosis by incorporating examination findings with the patient's preferences to set clinically appropriate treatment goals, optimize outcomes and maximize functional independence.
• Independently provides clinical oversight of Physical Therapy Assistants as well as students on clinical affiliations who are in Doctoral PT Programs or PTA Programs.
• Evaluates for, issues, and trains in the use of assistive devices.
• Communicates verbally and in writing in accordance with PM&RS performance standards.
• Participates in team, clinical, department, and program meetings.

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

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

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.
• 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

Basic Requirements :

Citizenship : Candidates must be a citizen of the United States. After a determination is made that it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens, necessary personnel may be appointed on a temporary basis under authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 without regard to the citizenship requirements of 38 U.S.C. 7402 or any other law prohibiting the employment of or payment of compensation to a person who is not a citizen of the United States. Candidates must meet all other requirements for the grade and position concerned.

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.

Education: You must possess one of the following:

(1) Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist OR

(2) Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. OR

(3) Doctorate degree in physical therapy

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

Preferred Experience: PGY-2 in Ambulatory care (PACT-CPP), or board certified ambulatory care pharmacist (BCACP/board certified pharmacotherapy specialist (BCPS)

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

This position is above full performance level

Physical Requirements: Pre-placement and periodic physical examinations are required for hybrid occupations to ensure workers are placed in positions where they can perform the essential functions of their job considering their physical, mental and emotional capacities, without endangering their health or the health of their co-workers. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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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