Physical Therapist (Pain Clinical Specialist)

Full Job Description

The Physical Therapist (Pain Clinical Specialist) position independently provides assessment and treatment interventions to Veteran patients received through healthcare provider referrals and patient self-referrals.

They will independently plan, develop, and implement comprehensive, complex treatment programs for individual patients or groups of patients to relieve pain, restore or enhance performance, and maximize ability to function as independently as possible NOTE: THE 2-PAGE RESUME REQUIREMENT DOES NOT APPLY TO THIS OCCUPATIONAL SERIES.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, REFER TO REQUIRED DOCUMENTS BELOW. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

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: 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.

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.

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.

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.

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. NOTE.

Individuals who have or have had multiple licenses and had any such license revoked for professional misconduct, professional incompetency or substandard care, or who surrendered such license after receiving written notice of potential termination of such license by the state for professional misconduct, professional incompetence, or substandard care, are not eligible for appointment to the position unless such revoked or surrendered license is fully restored (38 U.S.C 7402(f)).

Effective November 30, 1999, this is a requirement for employment.

This requirement does not apply to licensed physical therapists on VA rolls as of November 30, 1999, provided the individual maintains a continuous appointment and is not disqualified for employment by any subsequent revocations or voluntary surrenders of State license, registration or certification.

Loss of Licensure or Credential: A PT who fails to maintain the required license must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment.

At the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may be reassigned to another occupation, if qualified, and if a placement opportunity exists.

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) 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: .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: Specialty experience caring for patients living with chronic pain.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13.

Physical Requirements: Light to heave lifting (under 15 pounds to over 45 pounds), light to heave carrying (under 15 pounds to over 45 pounds), straight pulling, pulling hand over hand, pushing, reaching over shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking, standing, repeat bending, both legs required, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, specific visual requirement (far 20/50:20/100), hearing (aid may be permitted).

Environmental factors: outside and inside, working around machinery with moving parts, working closely with others, working alone. Major Duties:

Demonstrates a high degree of independence and professional judgment in planning and executing treatment programs to meet complex treatment objectives for the population of the Pain Program.

Perform 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 personal and environmental factors.

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 patient population described above and advises all other health care team members and students in this regard.

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.

Establish a diagnosis within the scope of physical therapy and identify the appropriate intervention to treat and/or refer to another provider for further consultation when needed.

Determine physical therapy prognosis by incorporating examination findings with the patient's preferences for meaningful level of function in order to set clinically appropriate treatment goals and optimize outcomes.

Select appropriate equipment needed to substitute for loss of function or to substitute for limited function of individuals they treat.

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

Provide and documents evaluation, goals, treatment plans, and appropriate modification of treatment for each patient. Provides appropriate complementary and alternative therapies.

Able to analyze situations, make good decisions, recognize priorities, and report pe1iinent information to supervisors in a timely manner. Follow adopted policies and procedures.

Manage a reasonably assigned patient workload and complete required documentation in a timely manner.

Respond to sudden increase in workload with reasonable prioritization and minimal loss of productivity. Delegate appropriate tasks to supportive personnel.

Utilize active listening skills with patients, families, peers, and public. Communicate concise, appropriate, and necessary patient information to health team members, sharing care responsibilities.

Seek out continuing education activities related to position.

Participates in regular team meetings, verbal and written communication and consultation amongst team members in order to guide and evaluate the work of the multi-disciplinary Pain Specialty Program.

Collaboration with the team is necessary to develop a cohesive treatment plan for this complex patient population.

Shares knowledge and expertise about the scope of physical therapy practice and services provided to the Pain Management Program population within the medical center and community.

This is provided through direct consultation, mentorship, development of in-services and clinical training and leading by example.

Actively participates in program development for the Pain Management Program to improve efficiency and quality of care provided to patients.

Perform general assignments in any/all areas where physical therapy services are deemed necessary.

Work Schedule: Monday thru Thursday 7:00am-5:30 pm Telework: AD-HOC Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized