Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist)

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Duties

This Physical Therapist is assigned responsibility for serving as a subject matter expert in Orthopedic Physical Therapy. He/she acts as a consultant to Physical Therapists, doctoral interns, PT residents, and other hospital staff in evaluating and treating patients based on knowledge and experience in orthopedic physical therapy. Incumbent must meet the basic requirements of a physical therapist, as well as the advanced knowledge requirements of the Clinical Specialist, as defined in the Qualification Standards for Physical Therapy, VA Handbook 5005/24, Part II, Appendix G. This position is located in the Physical Therapy Department of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) of the James A. Haley (JAH) Veterans Hospital Functions: Has current knowledge of contemporary Physical Therapy Clinical Practice Guidelines and Clinical Prediction Rules across multiple areas of practice, and the demonstrated ability to apply this advanced knowledge to provide clinical guidance to Staff Physical Therapists within the department. The incumbent has extensive specialized training in orthopedic physical therapy and demonstrates a full professional understanding of the current concepts of orthopedic physical therapy treatments and their applications. The incumbent demonstrates expertise in examining, evaluating, developing, and implementing treatment programs for clients with complex musculoskeletal problems based on the current evidence and best practices for client management. He/she utilizes advanced skills in differential diagnosis while assessing for intensity of PT services, appropriateness of referrals, and readiness of clients to make changes/participate in therapy. Incumbent manages client care at a highly skilled level by practicing advanced clinical problem solving, recognizing adverse pharmacological reactions, red flags, and refers client for medical follow-up as appropriate. He/she is highly skilled in orthopedic specialty testing and especially in the interpretation and utilization of these tests to guide his/her practice. Based on findings from a thorough examination and evaluation, the incumbent plans an effective goal-directed treatment program that is appropriate and indicated for the impairment, functional limitation and/or disability being treated. Education: Professional Growth and Continuing Competency - Maintains a high level of professional competence by continuing participation in learning experiences/continuing education courses pertaining to the area to which assigned. This Clinical Specialist participates in, provides and attends Physical Therapy section in-services as well as service and hospital-wide in-services. The incumbent completes all required VA annual mandatory training. Trainee Supervision - He/she has a responsibility to the profession and this facility to assist with the instruction of Physical Therapy and Physical Therapy Assistant trainees assigned to this facility for clinical affiliations. This Clinical Specialist possesses skills commensurate with that responsibility. Work Schedule: 7:30am-4pm, Monday-Friday Telework: Not Available-Ad Hoc basis Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 71259F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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 Requirement - Per VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3j: No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C., chapter 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English. Education Requirement (Transcripts Submitted)- 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, OR Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist, OR 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. Transcripts Required 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. Copy of Licensure Required. Grade Determinations: Education, Experience and Licensure: In addition to the basic requirements, one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level and one of the following: In addition to the basic requirements as stated above, the following criteria must be met for appointment at the GS-12 grade level. Evidence of minimum of 2,000 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 related field. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSA's. 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: Board specialty/clinical specialization in Orthopaedic physical therapy strongly preferred. Five years clinical experience working with the Orthopaedic population preferred. References: VA Handbook 5005/99, Part II, Appendix G12, Physical Therapist Qualification Standards, dated 2/7/2018. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: The physical demands of a Physical Therapist are considered "medium duty: with regards to strength and endurance according to the Department of Labor. Medium work entails exerting 20-50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and /or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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: https://