Summary The Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist) position is located at Marion VA Medical Center within Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) service line. One position is located in Marion, Illinois and another is located in Evansville, Indiana. Incumbents administers a full range of PT procedures to meet complex treatment objectives for patients whose illness is acute, critical or chronic in nature requiring expertise in highly specialized skills, knowledge and experience. Responsibilities VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY Clinical Incumbent is responsible for complete and thorough evaluation of each assigned patient as well as execution of special testing procedures: manual muscle tests; isokinetic testing; goniometrics; sensory testing; functional and self-care evaluations; hemiplegic motor function evaluations; vital signs; electrical evaluations using TENS and electrical muscle stimulator. Assesses the goals, living skills, physical abilities and related needs for clientele referred to PT Services or the Pain Management Team. Develops a treatment plan directed toward achieving maximum level of functioning, consulting with other disciplines as indicated and developing the plan in collaboration with the patient and caregiver. Implements the PT treatment plan by: providing direct patient care; procuring necessary equipment/adaptive devices; training the patient and caregiver concerning exercises, activities of daily living, rehabilitation techniques and equipment/adaptive devices; fabricating splint/orthotics as needed, and recommending community referrals. Reassesses client's level of functioning, revising the treatment plan as indicated and terminating treatment when objectives are met and/or the patient has achieved maximum benefit from treatment. Evaluates the need for additional services and uses professional judgment to initiate consultation with other professionals to provide such services. Evaluates for at-home needs in order to promote the patient's safety and independence. Assists patients/caregivers in applying for HISA grants. Serves as content expert in ordering complex and specialized equipment. Provides care that is appropriate to the cognitive, emotional and chronological maturation needs of the adult and/or geriatric patient. Identifies patient and caregiver learning needs and provides and documents patient and caregiver education. Develops and coordinates educational materials for patients and caregivers as indicated by PT assessment and Joint Commission standards. Documents assessments, treatment plans, services and education provided and response to services and education according to Medical Center policy, PMRS procedures and Joint Commission standards. Functions as a Subject Matter Expert for the Pain Management Team, regularly discussing patient performance in physical therapy, current status and continuing goals. Works effectively with team members and other health care providers in coordinating the patient's total care. Education: Maintains professional competency through documented and appropriate continuing education for professional and personal growth. Maintains professional national certification. Attends in-service training programs, lectures and staffing to remain familiar with current PT practices. Attends and completes mandatory training required by the facility and meets annual educational requirements. Orients, trains and/or supervises PT and PTA students, trainees or residents assigned to the PT department. Serves as a consultant to the other health professionals in the evaluation of patients with multiple and complex problems for which highly specialized knowledge and skills are required. Provides specialized training in the areas of chronic pain management to members of the rehab team and to other health care providers at the facility. Administrative: Adheres to established standards, policies and procedures set forth by section, service and medical center. Manages resources (time, materials, staff) in a cost- effective manner. Assists program and service line in achieving compliance with regulatory agency standards, including state, federal and Joint Commission standards. Actively participates in Medical Center committees and task forces. Initiates service recovery when patients or caregivers report complaints or concerns Supports Performance Improvement activities by identifying processes to be improved, participating in the development of monitoring indicators and evaluation criteria, collecting data, implementing process changes, monitoring outcomes and initiating corrective actions. Independently assumes responsibility for physical therapy development as it relates to the Pain Management program. This includes negotiating program content with clinical team members with divergent backgrounds and points of view. Establishes and maintains appropriate QA monitors related to PT and the Pain Management program Accurately and timely records patient treatment, progress notes, etc. into patient records via the CPRS based system. Actively supports and promotes all programs of PM&R Services. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorize Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorize 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. 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 identification 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). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications 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 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. Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. 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: 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 (see paragraph 2i). Ability to teach and mentor medical center staff in a specialized content area of physical 9 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 (see Definitions, paragraph 2. i.). Assignment. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and variety. Clinical Specialists spend at least 25% or greater of their time working with specialized population(s) within their department. Physical therapists at this level perform assignments in specialty areas such as geriatrics, neurology, cardiopulmonary, orthopedics, spinal cord injury, amputee, wound care, chronic pain, electromyography, women's health or pelvic health, polytrauma, brain injury, lymphedema, vestibular, assistive technology, seating and mobility. The individual is assigned responsibility for serving as the subject matter expert in the content specialty area and as a consultant to physical therapy and other medical center staff in evaluating and treating patients in the specialty area. Clinical Specialists have advanced knowledge and demonstrate expert clinical practice skills in providing assessment and treatment interventions across the continuum of care. He/she utilizes advanced knowledge and expertise to modify treatment plans and to identify therapeutic activity interventions based on the changing needs, goals and performance of patients. Clinical Specialists have advanced training in specialized technology related to their area of practice. He/she establishes and maintains contact with other health care providers involved in patient care via written, telephone, and personal communication on a regular basis. He/she exercises expert professional judgment to establish appropriate discharge planning recommendations to ensure safe discharge from inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation programs. If the medical center has a PT residency program, the clinical specialist may be on faculty for the program. Preferred Experience: ??????? At least 5 years experience as a licensed Physical Therapist. At least 3 years experience completing evaluations and treatments to address acute and chronic pain conditions resulting in advanced knowledge and expert skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities relevant to the Pain Management Program. Ability to serve as a consultant and subject matter expert for health care providers regarding the delivery of care - PT Pain Management Program. Advanced knowledge and expert skill to perform and interpret specialized procedures and tests in evaluating the treatment outcomes -Pain Management Program. 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: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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 for 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.
