Summary This Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist) in Pelvic Health position is located in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service which is part of the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, .Chicago, IL Responsibilities The Physical Therapist Clinical Specialist in Pelvic Health is a clinical specialist assigned to Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) and serves as the subject matter expert in pelvic rehabilitation, with emphasis on with emphasis on pelvic floor dysfunction, urinary and fecal incontinence, pelvic pain, bowel and bladder dysfunction, and related pelvic health conditions in both male and female veterans. The incumbent serves as a consultant to Physical Therapists, physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals regarding the evaluation and treatment of complex pelvic health conditions. This Clinical Specialist Physical Therapist demonstrates advanced clinical skills and judgment in the examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of patients with complex functional impairments and pelvic health disorders. The incumbent applies advanced evaluation methodologies and evidence-based treatment approaches in the provision of care to a diverse Veteran population. The Physical therapist is primarily assigned to the Outpatient (OP) Physical Therapy Clinic and independently evaluates Veterans with complex impairments, functional limitations, disabilities, and pelvic health conditions. The therapist performs comprehensive examinations, identifies impairments and functional limitations, develops and modifies treatment plans, and coordinates care with interdisciplinary team members to ensure appropriate interventions and recommendations for additional evaluation or specialty referral when indicated. The incumbent provides specialized evaluation and treatment of male and female Veterans with pelvic floor dysfunction, urinary and bowel disorders, pelvic pain, sexual health-related dysfunction, pregnancy and postpartum-related conditions, post-surgical pelvic dysfunction, and other pelvic rehabilitation needs. The Physical Therapist Clinical Specialist serves as a mentor and resource for Physical Therapy staff and other healthcare professionals regarding pelvic rehabilitation assessment, treatment techniques, and evidence-based interventions. The incumbent provides consultation throughout the medical center and associated clinics and assists in the development and advancement of pelvic health rehabilitation services. This clinical specialist receives direct referrals and consultations from Primary Care, Women's Health, Urology, Gynecology, Colorectal Surgery, PM&RS, and other specialty clinics. The incumbent collaborates with community providers and serves as a resource for pelvic health rehabilitation throughout the facility and VISN when appropriate. Additional duties include participation in program development, quality improvement initiatives, staff education, student and trainee mentoring, and completion of administrative responsibilities as assigned. Work Schedule: 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 09839F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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 must meet all requirements by 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. 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: Individuals must be a graduate of a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredited college or university. Transcripts Required 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). 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. Copy of Licensure Required. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements as stated above, the following criteria must be met for appointment at the GS-12 grade level. GS-13 Grade level - Education, Experience and Licensure: In addition to the basic requirements, one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level and one of the following: Evidence of minimum of 2,000 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 related field. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSA's. 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/. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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.
