Physical Therapist Clinical Specialist-Geriatric

Job Title

Physical Therapist/Geriatric Clinical Specialist

Duties

Incumbent's primary function is direct patient/client care. The PT/GCS has advanced knowledge of contemporary Physical Therapy across multiple areas of practice and the demonstrated ability to apply this advanced knowledge to provide clinical guidance to Staff Physical Therapists, Physical Therapy Assistants, and PT students and other healthcare providers.

Clinical

• The PT/GCS is responsible for independently providing assessment and treatment interventions to inpatients and outpatients received through healthcare providers and patient self-referrals. The incumbent establishes a diagnosis within the scope of physical therapy. Incumbent formulates a treatment plan and goals, and is responsible for implementation, modification, and documentation of treatment. Incumbent exhibits complex clinical skills.
• The incumbent applies knowledge of the anatomical, biological, physical, cognitive, psychological, and psychosocial changes that occur with aging clients, including disease and disability, and the effects of inactivity on these changes, including the interpretation of examination findings and appropriate intervention plans for aging individuals, familiarity with medications commonly prescribed for older adults, drug interactions and factors to consider when providing physical therapy interventions to older adults, indications and contraindications for risks of restraints, alternatives to physical restraints use that are safe and least restrictive, and assessing elderly clients for positioning device, enabling devices, environmental adaptation, and caregiver intervention with regards to risk reduction.
• The PT/GCS develops, coordinates, and implements highly specialized treatment programs within his/her assigned clinic, based on best practices for patient/client management, to relieve pain, restore or enhance performance, and maximize independence in functional abilities.
• The PT/GCS demonstrates competence in objective assessment of acute and chronic pain conditions in older clients regardless of cognitive or communication abilities.
• The PT/GCS demonstrates the ability to identify and assess barriers to communication due to hearing, sight, and speech impairments, consult other disciplines and make referrals when appropriate.
• The PT/GCS demonstrates knowledge in current evidence of therapeutic exercises for all aging adults; designing and applying therapeutic exercise interventions including but not limited to balance, coordination and agility training, fall risk reduction and education, neuromuscular education, perceptual training, posture awareness training, sensory training and task specific performance training.
• The PT/GCS recognizes the appropriateness of responses to treatment based on indications, precautions and contraindications. Recognizes when to refer conditions outside the scope of physical therapy practice to the appropriate provider.
• The PT/GCS serves as a mentor to other therapists/students in the evaluation and treatment in the areas of geriatric physical therapy.

Administrative Responsibilities

• PT/GCS will demonstrate ability to develop and coordinate clinical education programs with evidence of advanced experience in the area of clinical education.
• PT/GCS will demonstrate the ability to establish and maintain productive relationships with academic affiliates.
• The incumbent will provide in-service and clinical training programs as assigned by the Physical Therapy Supervisor or Service Chief.
• The incumbent will design, conduct, and evaluate educational experiences within specialty content area for staff members, taking an active role in literature searches, and seeks educational opportunities to enhance the Physical Therapy Section, PM&RS, and the Medical Center.
• The PT/GCS will represent the Physical Therapy Department and PM&RS at various clinical and administrative meetings/rounds at the discretion of the Physical Therapy Supervisor or Service Chief.
• The PT/GCS will develop program planning, staff education/training, QI monitoring, and program evaluation within area of specialty.

Educational Responsibilities

• Complete all VAMC mandatory training in a timely manner.
• Incumbent will continually seeks to improve knowledge and skill by review of current literature, participation in in-service training, and attendance at continuing education programs especially in their area of expertise.
• Continuing education and training will be focused on maintaining and improving competency in all general clinical functions including coursework directed toward improving PM& R patient services.

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

Compressed/Flexible: Yes

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 60683-0

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

US Department of Veterans Affairs