Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist)
What you'd do
The Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist) will primarily practice physical therapy at the assigned location but may participate in temporary assignments throughout STVHCS as directed by the therapy supervisor. The incumbent serves as the subject matter expert in clinical specialty. The incumbent evaluates patients, plans individualized courses of treatment, establishes and provides a full range of comprehensive treatment procedures designed to improve or restore function.
Major duties
Duties may include but are not limited to: Clinical Duties Evaluate patients and develop individualized treatment plans. Provide a full range of physical therapy treatment procedures, including physical modalities, therapeutic exercise, prostheses, assistive devices, and other modalities within APTA scope. Perform advanced and specialized interventions requiring expert-level knowledge. Interpret and assess treatment outcomes for specialty interventions. Serve as a subject matter expert and consultant to physical therapy and other medical center staff. Teach and mentor medical center staff in the clinical specialty area. Conduct in-depth evaluations for durable medical equipment (DME) and orthotics, including mobility aids, lifts, bathroom equipment, bracing, and adaptive devices. Coordinate DME and orthotic needs with physicians and the prosthetics department. Train patients on safe and appropriate use of required DME. Demonstrate operating knowledge of all physical therapy equipment and modify treatment plans based on patient needs and performance. Provide expert guidance for discharge planning to maximize patient independence. Communicate effectively with interdisciplinary health care providers and maintain regular contact regarding patient care. Assign, manage, and evaluate the work of subordinate staff. Administrative Duties Assign and evaluate the work of subordinate staff. Maintain procedures that align with STVHCS policies. Assist in developing standards of care to meet professional accreditation requirements. Maintain quality assurance data and evaluate data at required intervals. Ensure adequate inventory of supplies. Maintain physical therapy equipment in safe, operable condition and submit work orders when needed. Perform other duties as assigned. Educational Duties Supervise and train physical therapy students and volunteers. Serve as clinical education coordinator if assigned. Teach and mentor staff in specialty practice areas. Provide in-service training to physical therapy staff and other professionals. Orient new staff members to physical therapy roles and specialty functions. Maintain professional licensure and complete 3.0 Continuing Competency Units (CCUs) each biennium. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm Telework: Ad-Hoc Only Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 54262-F 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. Education and experience. The individual must meet at least one of the requirements below: (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: Prior to 1995 the terminal degree for PT's was either a bachelors or master's degree. In 1995 CAPTE accredited all baccalaureate, master's, and Doctor of Physical Therapy terminal degree programs. Effective 2002, CAPTE changed its scope of accrediting activities of PT education programs to include only those programs that culminate in post-baccalaureate degrees(eliminating the baccalaureate degree). Effective 2015, professional physical therapy education programs have only offered the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree to all new students. 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. (4) Foreign Graduates. Graduates of foreign physical therapy programs meet the requirements in subparagraph 3b 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. The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) is committed to protect the public and to provide leadership within the field and practice of physical therapy. FSBPT's Foreign Educated Standards Committee has developed standards that represent "best practices" in evaluation services. The Credentials Evaluation Standards were developed with input from the physical therapy credentialing agencies that are licensed to use FSBPT's Coursework Tool. 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. Grandfathering Provision. 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). 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 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. 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: 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 (see paragraph 2i). 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 (see Definitions, paragraph 2. i.). Preferred Experience: DOD, government, or military experience as a physical therapist 3 or more years currently working in outpatient and orthopedic environment OCS; orthopedic clinical specialist and/or related fellowship 2 or more years working in a direct access environment 2 or more years experience collaborating with referring providers Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
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