Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist)

Full Job Description

The Physical Therapist Clinical Specialist embeds within the Patient Aligned Care Team as a portion of their work and is a member of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitative Service at Butler VA Health Care System.

Responsible for the care/treatment of patients referred for same-day physical therapy services.

Demonstrates contemporary, evidence-based application of knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with current professional physical therapy practice across the continuum of care.

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: Must be proficient in spoken and written English.

Basic Requirements; (1) Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist, OR (2) Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist, OR (3) Doctorate degree in physical therapy.

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: 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.

Specialized Experience: Must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the journey level (GS-12) that is directly related to the position to be filled (GS-13).

Examples of this experience include; Independently providing assessment and treatment interventions to inpatients and outpatients received through healthcare provider referrals and patient self-referrals, interpret findings from examination, diagnostic studies/medical tests and, during evaluation, select appropriate clinical tests and measures, and then integrate findings into the physical therapy plan of care for the full range of patient populations.

Practice autonomously, making recommendations and referrals to other medical specialties/services as clinically indicated during ongoing assessment of patients under their care.

GS-13 Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities.

In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs (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.

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.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.The full performance level of this position is GS-12.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: In Accordance With VA Directive and Handbook 5019 Major Duties:

VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY Major duties include but are not limited to: Chooses appropriate evaluation tools that are consistent with client diagnosis, history and subjective complaints; identifies impairments; identifies signs and symptoms that substantially impact treatments and integrates findings into plan of care Independently evaluates and assesses self-referred patients and provides autonomous care decisions Serves as the first-line contact for Veterans who present to PACT with acute, subacute, and/or chronic nMSK conditions, conducts same-day evaluations, provides immediate interventions, and triages each patient.

Conducts evaluations that incorporate range of motion, flexibility, strength testing, balance, and functional measures to guide diagnosis and treatment Performs specialized neuromuscular and vestibular assessments, utilizing advanced clinical testing to accurately differentiate between central and peripheral causes of dizziness and other balance disorders Interprets findings, educates patients, support persons about disease process, purpose of treatment, and patient's rights and responsibilities to improve treatment Demonstrates advanced skill in orthopedic and vestibular patient evaluation, including the use of Upper and Lower Quarter Screens and the identification of upper motor neuron findings that require referral to other medical provider Reassesses patients with acute needs at sooner intervals following initial evaluation to ensure improvement and to modify the treatment plan Incorporates musculoskeletal ultrasound as part of physical evaluation procedures Teaches exercises/movements to prevent occurrence or lessen impact of restrictions and deformities.

Instructs patients regarding limitations of the muscles and bones following impairment or surgery to educate Provides timely, closed-loop communication with referring providers following evaluations and treatment Makes medication recommendations to providers, to optimize rehabilitation outcomes Recommends referrals to appropriate specialties, such as Neurology, Rheumatology, Imaging Evaluates patient's need for assistive devices, recommends adjustments to prosthetic/orthotic devices.

Ensures timely delivery of durable medical equipment by utilizing the WIC stockroom to issue prosthetics on the same day as evaluation and treatment Monitors multiple communication channels to triage consultation requests, manage patient flow, and maintain efficient clinic operations Completes electronic progress notes, at required intervals, including observations of patients' functional status, behaviors pertinent to rehabilitation, relevant goals, and disposition recommendations Reviews and triages incoming physical therapy consults and redirects care to PACT PT for same-day evaluation Maintains productivity consistent with PMRS expectations while accommodating same-day access and the needs of unscheduled patients Offers ongoing education for PACT and WIC providers regarding differential diagnosis, MSK assessment and care, direct access practice, and physical therapy Offers in service programs for Primary Care, PACT, DRRTP, CBOCs, and PMRS staff to promote understanding and benefits Demonstrates understanding of theories of physical therapy, aquatic therapy, and the proper applications of such treatments in all healthcare settings.

Directs students and/or Physical Therapy Assistants in proper patient treatment Establishes intervention priorities, determines prognosis and specific further assessment needs, the need for modifying or discontinuing physical or aquatic therapy services, and determines specific tasks that can be delegated to the Physical Therapy Assistant Elicits patient participation in implementing physical or aquatic therapy objectives and goals in restoring or maintaining patient performance Utilizes connected care modalities when appropriate to better meet the needs of patients Leads continuous process improvement projects focused on PACT PT integration, workflow, efficiency, and outcomes Provides consultation and SME in the development of clinical procedures, quality assurance standards and interdisciplinary care processes Contributes to the knowledge and techniques in relation to physical therapy.

Demonstrates the ability to teach, successfully mentor and guide staff, and to effectively serve as a consultant for health care providers Meets accreditation standards as presented in The Joint Commission (TJC) as the standards relate to rehabilitation disciplines.

Demonstrates knowledge, skill, and ability to recognize and respond appropriately to emergency situations.

Maintains BLS and First Aid certifications Maintains Basic Water Rescue Certification Provides physical therapy coverage to other clinics, CBOC and CLC when necessary Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.