Summary Develops the Physical Therapy program for patients treated on the SCI Unit. The SCI Physical Therapy program specifically provides service to an inpatient ward that includes a 38-bed, comprehensive, integrated, inpatient program, an acute consultation program, and an outpatient program serving a population of approximately 850 Veterans with SCI in VISN 20 and Western Montana. Responsibilities Clinical Specialist Physical Therapist is assigned to the SCI Unit therapy program. Goals of treatment are to demonstrate advanced skills with the SCI population to evaluate physical and cognitive functioning; maintain, restore, and enhance performance and potential for independent living; maximize function within their lifestyle; and aide in the adjustment and understanding of disability, recommend appropriate placement or discharge plan. Assignments are of a broad and comprehensive nature providing SCI patients with a full spectrum of care. The Clinical Specialist Physical Therapist Pulmonary SCI demonstrates advanced clinical knowledge (shown by advanced course work, advanced clinical degree, research participation, publication, or teaching experience and advanced certifications) to allow complete independence in clinical care of all patients with SCI and other co-morbidities. The Clinical Specialist Physical Therapist Pulmonary SCI in this specialty area of Pulmonary provides specialized mentorship and modeling for other therapy staff in the area of SCI. This position assists with planning, integrating, and coordinating a comprehensive Physical Therapy program for patients with SCI. The Clinical Specialist Physical Therapist Pulmonary SCI is supervised by the SCI Therapy Program Manager. The Clinical Specialist Physical Therapist Pulmonary SCI serves as a subject matter expert in the specialty area of SCI with a focus on the Pulmonary system, and acts as a consultant to Physical Therapy and other medical center staff in evaluating and treating patients in the specialty area of SCI and Pulmonary Physical Therapy practice which is beyond the general practice of Physical Therapy. This Clinical Specialist Physical Therapist Pulmonary SCI must demonstrate advanced/specialized skills and techniques for the SCI population in the specialty area of Pulmonary. This Clinical Specialist Physical Therapist Pulmonary SCI provides professional oversight and consultation for staff therapists and monitors and evaluates clinically appropriate treatment programs with great autonomy. Knowledge of Pulmonary skills in the SCI population to include any compromise of the pulmonary system including anatomy/physiology, pulmonary measures, relationship of posture/breathing, seating, swallowing impact, mobilization of secretions, expectoration, chest wall mobility, supported breathing, tracheostomies and laryngectomies, ventilator management, facilitated breathing techniques, assisted cough techniques, Manual Insufflator/Exsufflator (MIE), suctioning, abdominal FES. Clinical Specialist Physical Therapist Pulmonary SCI will be familiar with clinical application/interventions, pulmonary management, manual techniques, preventative interventions and education. Work Schedule: 8AM - 4:30PM, Monday - Friday with occasional Saturdays Part-Time: 36 hours per week, 72 hours per biweekly pay period Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a trial period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). A valid state issued driver's license with a clean driving history in accordance with VA Policy to drive a government vehicle. Ability to operate and drive a government vehicle as determined by an Occupational Health driving physical examination. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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. 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. See Chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Education and experience. The individual must meet at least one of the requirements below: (1) Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. (2) Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. (3) Doctorate degree in physical therapy. NOTE: Prior to 1995 the terminal degree for PT's was either a bachelors or master's degree. In 1995 CAPTE accredited all baccalaureate, master's, and Doctor of Physical Therapy terminal degree programs. Effective 2002, CAPTE changed its scope of accrediting activities of PT education programs to include only those programs that culminate in post-baccalaureate degrees(eliminating the baccalaureate degree). Effective 2015, professional physical therapy education programs have only offered the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree to all new students. 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. 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) 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 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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 (Pulmonary - SCI). 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 (Pulmonary - SCI). Preferred Experience: 3 years of spinal cord injury physical therapy with advanced knowledge of custom seating/wheelchair orders, postural evaluations, mentoring PT students and residents in SCI practice, training peers in standard practice of care for respiratory and vent management. 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: Heavy lifting (45 lbs. and over), moderate lifting and carrying (15-44 lbs.), light lifting and carrying (under 15 lbs.), straight pulling, pushing, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands, walking, standing, repeated bending, both legs, operation of motor vehicle, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing (aid may be permitted), and mental and emotional stability. Environmental factors include working outside and inside, excessive cold, constant noise, working around moving objects or vehicles, physical work, working closely with others, and working alone. 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://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
