Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist)
What you'd do
The Physical Therapist serves as an advanced-level Seating and Mobility Specialist within the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services (PM&RS) Department. At the GS-13 level, the therapist functions as a facility expert in the evaluation, prescription, fitting, and training of custom manual wheelchairs, power wheelchairs, and power scooters for Veterans with complex medical, neurological, and functional impairments, in a direct access veteran care environment.
Major duties
VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY Duties of this position include, but are not limited to: Performs comprehensive seating and mobility evaluations using advanced clinical techniques, including mat assessments, detailed postural analysis, functional mobility evaluation, and pressure mapping. Conducts complex assessments for Veterans with progressive neurological disorders, spinal cord injury, limb loss, orthopedic deformities, cognitive impairments, and multi-system medical conditions. Determines the most clinically appropriate mobility device and seating configuration based on functional needs, medical status, safety, and long-term mobility outcomes. Prescribes custom manual wheelchairs, power wheelchairs, power scooters, custom seating systems, specialty cushions, alternative drive controls, and advanced positioning components. Prepares complete, defensible medical justification and documentation in compliance with VA Prosthetic & Sensory Aids Service (PSAS) policy and national guidelines. Performs custom fittings, adjustments, and configuration of wheelchairs and seating systems to ensure optimal positioning, mobility efficiency, pressure distribution, and safety. Provides individualized training on safe operation, mobility techniques, pressure relief, maintenance, and equipment management. Conducts follow-up evaluations, troubleshooting, and long-term device management to ensure continued effectiveness and Veteran satisfaction. Coordinates procurement and delivery of mobility devices with PSAS, vendors, and interdisciplinary team members. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 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 The incumbent must possess a valid driver's license and will operate gas powered/electric passenger vehicles in order to provide Veteran care in the community. Will drive in all types of weather and may be subjected to driving in all types of traffic. Must possess the ability to operate and perform preventative maintenance. Be able to respond to emergency situations when on the road (traffic accident, damage to property, damage to equipment, injury to self or someone else, vehicle breakdown). They must perform operator level maintenance of vehicles that includes, but is not limited to, getting gas, monitoring fluid levels, washing the vehicle, checking tire pressure, interior and exterior lights, and documenting any damage or unusual wear on the vehicle or its components.
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: (a) Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (b) 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 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. (c) 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. 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): (a)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. GS-12 experience 1.Ability to make autonomous clinical decisions in a Direct Access environment. This includes ability to independently evaluate and treat patients who seek physical therapy services. 2.Skill in performing 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 integumentary systems while considering the effects attributable to unique psychosocial and environmental factors. 3.Ability to interpret findings from examination and evaluation, select appropriate test and measures, and integrate findings into the physical therapy plan of care for the full range of patient populations. 4.Ability to establish a diagnosis within the scope of physical therapy and identify the appropriate rehabilitation intervention, including referral to another provider for further consultation as clinically indicated. 5.Ability to determine physical therapy prognosis by incorporating examination findings with the patient's preferences in order to set clinically appropriate treatment goals, optimize outcomes and maximize functional independence. 6.Ability to independently provide clinical oversight of Physical Therapy Assistants as well as students on clinical affiliations who are in Doctoral PT Programs or PTA Programs. (b)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.). (c) Assignment. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and variety. Clinical Specialists spend at least 25% or greater of their time working with specialized population(s) within their department. Physical therapists at this level perform assignments in specialty areas such as geriatrics, neurology, cardiopulmonary, orthopedics, spinal cord injury, amputee, wound care, chronic pain, electromyography, women's health or pelvic health, polytrauma, brain injury, lymphedema, vestibular, assistive technology, seating and mobility. The individual is assigned responsibility for serving as the subject matter expert in the content specialty area and as a consultant to physical therapy and other medical center staff in evaluating and treating patients in the specialty area. Clinical Specialists have advanced knowledge and demonstrate expert clinical practice skills in providing assessment and treatment interventions across the continuum of care. He/she utilizes advanced knowledge and expertise to modify treatment plans and to identify therapeutic activity interventions based on the changing needs, goals and performance of patients. Clinical Specialists have advanced training in specialized technology related to their area of practice. He/she establishes and maintains contact with other health care providers involved in patient care via written, telephone, and personal communication on a regular basis. He/she exercises expert professional judgment to establish appropriate discharge planning recommendations to ensure safe discharge from inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation programs. If the medical center has a PT residency program, the clinical specialist may be on faculty for the program. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.
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