Address
Form of workThe Physical TherapistClinical Specialist- serves as the subject matter expert on the evaluation and treatment of the vestibular rehabilitation issues and interventions provided by Physical Therapy for treatment of vestibular problems. Serves as a consultant to Physical Therapists in evaluation and treating clients with orthopedic conditions in the Southern Arizona VA Medical Center. Educates staff, physicians, and students regarding these interventions and techniques.
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:
- Citizenship. United States Citizen. 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.
- Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a Physical Therapist.
- 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.
- 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.
Grade Determinations
GS-13 Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist): 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 is required:
- 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
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:
- Evidence of minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice directly in the Chronic Pain specialty area. This time must be between the past two and five years; OR
- Board Certification in the Chronic Pain specialty area recognized by ABPTS; OR
- Completion of a fellowship program; OR
- Additional advanced degree in a related field
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13.
Physical Requirements: The incumbent of the position will meet and maintain physical and drug test program requirements for the position as required. There will be periods of walking and ambulating patients, providing patient transfers, some lifting of 35 pounds and supporting patients. This work is mostly sedentary and requires some standing, bending, and carrying light items. The incumbent must have the ability to stand and walk for prolonged periods of time to interact with the patients and other 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/.Employment Type: FULL_TIME
