Career Center

The primary function of this position is direct patient care in conjunction with the Pain Service Program at the Seattle Division, with 25% or greater time specifically dedicated to the specialty area. This individual is responsible for completing complex evaluations, conducting specialized interventions and treatments, and interpreting specialized procedures, theories, and outcomes in the specialty area to a vast array of functional impairments. Basic Requirements: 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). 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. NOTE: You must provide a copy of your transcripts showing degree earned and conferred date. 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. 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: You must provide a copy of your current, valid, and unrestricted Physical Therapist License. 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. Grade Determinations: Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist), GS-13: 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the all following KSAs. (a) Advanced knowledge and expert skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in a specialized treatment area of physical therapy. (b) 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. (c) Ability to teach and mentor medical center staff in a specialized content area of physical therapy. (d) Ability to guide the work of a multi-disciplinary team in a specialized content area of physical therapy. (e) Advanced knowledge and expert skill to perform and interpret specialized procedures and tests in evaluating the treatment outcomes in the assigned specialty content area. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/99 Part II Appendix G12 February 7, 2018 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: This position frequently requires light to heavy lifting/carrying (under 15lbs to over 45 lbs.). Normally such lifting will involve, but is not limited to, assisting with transfers or gait training of the client in the physical therapy clinic. Reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required. Walking, standing, crawling, kneeling, repeated bending; both legs required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, Specific visual requirement: Far: 20/50: 20/100, hearing (aid permitted), mental and emotional stability. Working inside/outside and working closely with others and alone. ["Summary:\nThis individual will serve as a consultant and subject matter expert for health care providers regarding the delivery of care within this specialty area, demonstrate the ability to teach and mentor medical center staff, provide clinical practice guidance and training for other staff PT/PTA's, and demonstrate the ability to guide the work of a multi-disciplinary team. The incumbent will also provide the described evaluation and treatment elements for general outpatient orthopedic services, as well as provide assistance with inpatient services based on department needs. The duties and responsibilities of the Physical Therapist (Chronic Pain/ Clinical Specialist) include but are not limited to:\nThe incumbent will provide clinical services to address a vast array of problems that impact the health and function of a wide range of diverse patients. As independent practitioners, PT's embrace evidenced based practice standards in diagnosis, examination, management, intervention, treatment and outcome measurement. PT's collaborate across the continuum of care. PT's ensure services are coordinated, including ordering studies of value and being consumer-centered by referring, co-managing, engaging consultants, and independently supervising care.\nPT's are responsible for independently providing assessment and treatment interventions to inpatients, outpatients, and home-based received through healthcare provider referrals and patient self-referrals. Guided by differential and movement diagnoses, PT's 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. Functions of the Position.\nClinical\n1. Performs direct patient care within specialty area at least 25% of the time.\n2. Uses advanced skills and knowledge of physical therapy theories and techniques to examine and evaluate patients as appropriate for their age and movement system diagnosis to determine current levels of functioning (range of motion, strength, balance, coordination, sensation, mobility, endurance, posture, and other musculoskeletal and neurologic assessments).\n3. Incorporates Whole Health modalities for medically complex Veterans where traditional services are not appropriate (Yoga, Tai Chi, Aquatic, Clinical Hypnosis) in 1:1 and group settings as appropriate.\n4. Based on evaluation findings, completes differential diagnosis process. This process provides the physical therapist with a consistent way to screen for systemic diseases and medical conditions that can mimic neuromuscular and musculoskeletal problems. The differential diagnosis model covers past medical history, risk factor assessment, clinical presentation, associated signs and symptoms, and review of bodily systems for each patient.\n5. Based on evaluation findings, differential diagnosis, and planning with the treatment team, patient/family, and/or significant others, the physical therapist determines prognosis, and provides a customized and integrated plan of care to achieve the individual's goal-directed outcomes and eventual discharge plans.\n6. Develops and carries out physical therapy treatment to meet the individual rehabilitation goals which may include: therapeutic exercises, therapeutic procedures, therapeutic activities, gait training, balance training, neuromuscular re-education, manual therapy, electrical stimulation, modalities, traction, iontophoresis, biofeedback, strength/ endurance training, aquatic therapy techniques, functional mobility skills, wheelchair skills, equipment recommendations, self-care/home management training, and patient/ family education. These treatment interventions are conducted one on one with individuals, in group settings, and in the home setting.\n7. Assess the need for and the patient's ability to use adaptive equipment including ambulatory assistive devices, manual wheelchairs, scooters, TENS units, etc. Orders the appropriate equipment, assembles, and issues it to patients. Educates and trains patient and family/caregivers in proper use and maintenance of the devices.\n8. Continuously re-evaluates patient performance making appropriate modifications to the treatment plan as indicated. Regularly presents patient information to the physician and other team members regarding patient physical and psychosocial performance, current status and continuing goals in interdisciplinary meetings. Work Schedule: M-F: 7:30am to 4:00pm\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: Physical Therapist, GS-0633-13; FS: 00000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]