Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist)

Summary Physical Therapy Clinical Specialist for the New Mexico VA Health Care System (NMVAHCS). This PT Clinical Specialist-Chronic Pain is seated in the CARA Pain Management Team (CARA PMT) and provides clinical direction to other interdisciplinary team members with regard to physical therapy program elements. This clinician functions independently and in coordination with the clinic and service, including staff at the main facility and the Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs). Responsibilities 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 Requirements 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: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 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. Education and Experience. The individual must meet at least one of the requirements below: 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. 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 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. Grade Determinations:GS-13 Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist): 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 is required: 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 Board Certification in the specialty area recognized by the ABPTS; OR Completion of a fellowship program; OR An additional advanced degree in a related field In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Advanced knowledge and expert skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in a specialized treatment area of physical therapy. 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 Ability to teach and mentor medical center staff in a specialized content area of physical therapy. Ability to guide the work of a multi-disciplinary team in a specialized content area of physical therapy. Advanced knowledge and expert skill to perform and interpret specialized procedures and tests in evaluating the treatment outcomes in the assigned specialty content area. Preferred Experience: VHA pain clinic experience Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: The incumbent of the position will meet and maintain physical and drug test program requirements for the position as required. There will be periods of walking and ambulating patients, providing patient transfers, some lifting of 35 pounds and supporting patients. This work is mostly sedentary and requires some standing, bending, and carrying light items. The incumbent must have the ability to stand and walk for prolonged periods of time to interact with the patients and other services. 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. 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.