Physical Therapist Clinical Specialist - Neurologic Specialist
What you'd do
The Physical Therapist Clinical Specialist (Neurologic Specialist) serves as a consultant, clinician, and subject matter expert for the treatment of patients in Outpatient and Inpatient Physical Therapy at the VASLCHCS, George E. Wahlen, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Major duties
VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY Major Duties : Coordinates and implements the scheduling, evaluation, and treatment of patients needing Physical Therapy services as assigned, at VHASLC. Performs physical therapy evaluations and treatments for patients and employees in the location of inpatient and outpatient, ages ranging from adult to geriatric, having a variety of disabilities. Serves as a clinical instructor, and/or Attending clinician, with the VASLCHCS Physical Therapy DPT Internship Program, with specific mentoring professional skills, and clinical oversight of assigned DPT interns from various academic institutions. Serves as a Mentor and role model for PT Residents, students, and other PM&R/physical therapy staff in clinical competency, therapy skills, and professionalism. Employs unusual motivational techniques to enlist patient participation, and adapts equipment and procedures to carry out a full range of complex treatment activities and interventions. Evaluates patient's condition upon appropriate referral to physical therapy to determine treatment plan. Refers patients to Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service, Primary Care, and/or other specialty providers when determined necessary. Performs tests and measurements, and interprets results for use in preparing for, modifying, and/or evaluating patients, and subsequently adjusts treatment parameters based on changes in the patient's condition, outcomes, and response. Evaluates patient's needs with respect to prescribed braces and orthotic devices. Provides and assist the application of such devices to ensure the equipment has a proper fit, and that all training and documentation requirements are completed accordingly. Assists the physical therapy clinical operation at VASLCHCS. Receives applicable consults/referrals, scheduling all patient appointments appropriately and through HAS department Medical Support Assistants. Ensures sufficient supplies and equipment necessary for patient care. Reports any unusual circumstances, including difficulties with clinical operations or difficulties involving the treatment of patients, directly to the Outpatient Physical Therapy Supervisor or Department Chief of PM&RS. Establishes and maintains appropriate Quality Assurance monitoring as related to outpatient physical therapy, including, but not limited to, patient outcomes, quality of care, and semi-annual documentation peer reviews. Receives and helps coordinate patient referrals to Physical Therapy from appropriate sources, and schedules patients for evaluation and treatment according to VASLCHCS policy. Reviews charts to assess appropriateness of referrals and possible contraindications for treatment, and communicates with each referring provider as needed. Assists with scheduling patients for treatment and coordinates schedules with other members of the treatment team. Documents patient performance toward achieving treatment goals, manages time appropriately, and assures a high level of productivity and work efficiency, based on facility standards and the annual PT National Target Measures. Assures that their documentation, and documentation for the residents and/or Interns as assigned, are completed in a timely manner and according to VASLCHCS policy for all patient visits and patient encounters. Identifies continuing education needs within the physical therapy service and regarding the Balance/Vestibular/Neurologic physical therapy program. Provides continuing education in the form of in-services and clinical training programs to other clinicians, including physical therapists, residents, students, and other medical center staff. Serves as subject matter expert for the Balance/Vestibular/Neurologic physical therapy, and as a consultant to the PM&R department, Physical Therapy Service, and other medical center staff. Contributes to the PM&R department clinical resources, as an educator, facilitator, researcher, and clinician Work Schedule: M-F 7:30am-4:00pm Compressed/Flexible: May be Authorized Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 58533A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
What you need to qualify
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. 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 www.apta.org Foreign Graduates: Graduates of foreign physical therapy programs meet the education 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. Licensure: Individuals must 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. 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: 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: 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; Completion of a fellowship program; or An additional advanced degree in a related field Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 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 (see paragraph 2i). 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 (see Definitions, paragraph 2. i.). Preferred Experience: Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy And/or Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy And/or Full Time Neurologic PT experience within the last 3 years, including Vestibular Rehab clinical experience Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/ Physical Requirements: The physical requirements and work involve long periods of moving about the work unit. The work requires regular and recurring bending, lifting, stooping, stretching, lifting, repositioning and transferring patients. Incumbent may be exposed to patients who are combative, secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders and patients who require restraints. The incumbent must be a mature, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, demonstrating cheerfulness, compassion, courtesy, and concern. Must be quick and dependable in taking emergency action in using initiative to prevent accidents. The incumbent must be able to perform all activities of the position without restriction. "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."
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