Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist)

Full Job Description

The Physical Therapist - Clinical Specialist evaluates, plans treatment program on an individual basis for patients referred with levels of function ranging from simple to the most complex.

Utilizes standard and non-standard methods, based on contemporary and evidenced based physical therapy (PT) practice, particularly as related to orthopedic/neurologic patients.

Works as a part of the Patient Aligned Care Team.

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/or Experience.

The individual must meet at least one of the following 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.

PLEASE NOTE: Individuals must be a graduate of a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredited college or university.

Foreign Graduates - Graduates of foreign physical therapy programs meet the requirements if they have a current, full, active, and unrestricted license to practice physical therapy in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia.

State Licensure. Candidates must possess a full, current, and unrestricted state license to practice physical therapy in a state, territory or Commonwealth of the United States (i.e.

Puerto Rico), or in the District of Columbia. 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 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).

Grandfathering Provision.

All licensed PTs employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation.

For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Employees grandfathered into the GS-0633 occupational series as PTs may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation.

PTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of this qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of this standard.

PTs initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration, meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard and must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.

If PTs who are grandfathered under this provision leave the occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.

Grade Determinations: Physical Therapist GS-13: Specialized 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; or Completion of a fellowship program; or An additional advanced degree in a related field.

In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs.

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.

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: Experience preferred in the following settings: Direct Access Physical Therapy, Primary Care Physical Therapy, and/or Emergency Department Physical Therapy.

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: Day to day work involves moderate lifting and carrying (15- 44 pounds); use of fingers; both hands required; walking (2-3 hours); standing (2-3 hours).

Work may be alone and closely with others. Major Duties:

VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY The incumbent is responsible for the care and treatment of patients referred by the Primary Care to Physical Therapy Section of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) and will spend most of the time working within the primary care area.

As a PACT Physical Therapist at the Tennessee Valley Healthcare System VA, the incumbent serves as a consultant and subject matter expert of outpatient physical therapy within the department, VA network, PT profession and the community at large.

Incumbent is competent with evaluation of the general outpatient population including falls, general mobility impairments, vestibular conditions, and general neurologic conditions in a direct access setting.

The incumbent continues to maintain and learn routine to advanced skills in outpatient physical therapy by attending continuing education courses and training when applicable.

The incumbent will maintain and advance orthopedic and manual therapy skills needed to perform and interpret specialized evaluative procedures and tests in addition to evaluating treatment outcomes in routine to complex patient presentations.

Major Duties include but are not limited to: The incumbent demonstrates a high degree of independence and professional judgment in planning and executing treatment programs to meet routine treatment objectives for the general outpatient and orthopedic population.

Independently evaluates and assesses patients self-referred through direct patient referral or from referral of primary care provider to determine the treatment course to be followed.

Exercises originality in solving problems not covered by this guide, makes innovative adaptations of the clinical procedures herein to meet the complex and highly varying needs of the general orthopedic population and advises all other health care team members in this regard.

The incumbent demonstrates ability to make autonomous clinical decisions in a Direct Access environment both in clinic and via virtual modalities.

This includes ability to independently evaluate and treat patients who seek physical therapy services. Performs routine physical therapy evaluation and treatment for Veterans.

Stage of life is considered and used to modify evaluation and treatment based on the needs of the individual. Assessment of the patient's learning needs.

The incumbent plans and carries out the full range of routine interventions and treatment modalities where therapeutic objectives are routine, and procedures involved require the application of skills and knowledge in acute and chronic conditions of the spine and peripheral joints.

Adapts and applies treatment procedures with critical concern for patients who are acutely ill, or who have a combination of severe mental/emotional or physical disabilities.

Treatment will be provided in the facility and in the community as appropriate for the patient's needs.

These skills and interventions will be based on current physical therapy theory, research, and practice.

The incumbent demonstrates independent problem-solving skills that allow for frequent modification of treatment plans in response to subtle, but significant changes in the condition of the patient.

The employment of innovative treatment techniques is used to obtain the best outcome.

The coordination of multiple treatment approaches simultaneously may be needed to accomplish routine to treatment objectives. Critical assessment of treatment outcomes will be regularly performed.

Assesses for, and requests prosthetic/orthotic equipment as needed and can make modifications as necessary.

Makes recommendations and referral to other medical specialties/services as needs are identified during ongoing assessment of this routine patient population.

Assists in the scheduling of patients according to the physical therapy treatment plan while coordinating with the treatment plans of other disciplines within the team and facility.

The incumbent also maintains flexibility of schedule to allow for unscheduled patients, patient/team consultation and mentoring.

The incumbent submits return to clinic orders and maintains communication with scheduling personnel. The incumbent will regularly address alerts and secure messages as applicable.

The incumbent may provide patient care via face to face, telephone or video options.

The incumbent participates in regular team meetings, verbal and written communication and consultation amongst team members to guide and evaluate the work of the multi­disciplinary PACT outpatient physical therapy program.

The incumbent also collaborates with the team is necessary to develop a cohesive treatment plan for these varying patient populations.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Telework: ADHOC Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 71272-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized