Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist)

Summary
This position has 2 vacancies 1 in Chattanooga & 1 in Tullahoma located in the Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) section of Primary Care Service within the Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, which is classified as a complexity level 1A facility. The Physical Therapy Clinical Specialist is considered the subject matter expert and is responsible for the development of treatment programs for a very complex and diverse patient population; often in dire environments & independently.
This job is open to

• The public
  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency
This vacancy is opened to the Public.
Please be advised Veterans Preference applies.
Videos
Duties
NOTE: THERE IS A SECOND POSITION AVAILABLE AT THE CHATTANOOGA LOCATION.
VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY
The Physical Therapy Clinical Specialist is a graduate from a Doctorate degree program in physical therapy from an accredited college or university approved by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) and recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) to accredit entry-level physical therapy programs.
Major duties for the Physical Therapy position include (but are not limited to):

• The incumbent functions as the Physical Therapy Clinical Specialist on a multi-disciplinary team by communicating directly with team members such as Physician, RN, Nurse Practitioner, Social Worker, Dietitian, Psychologist, Pharmacist and any other disciplines involved with the patient's care. He/she works cohesively with team members to provide comprehensive treatment.
• The incumbent advises members of the multi-disciplinary team of the patient's physical therapy treatment plan, durable medical equipment (DME), home modification recommendations, recommendations for overcoming environmental obstacles, any noted inadequacy of caregivers, and provides longitudinal care planning information.
• The incumbent also represents physical therapy in the development of policy and procedures, the development of QA monitors related to the HBPC patients, and the development of standards of care in compliance with accrediting and professional organizations relating to the care of HBPC patients.
• The incumbent continues to maintain and learn advanced skills by attending applicable continuing education courses and training, which will advance the skills needed to perform and interpret specialized evaluative procedures and tests with treatment outcomes in the field of physical therapy.
• The incumbent is a licensed Physical Therapist, whose skills are well beyond entry-level competence, demonstrating the ability to perform with a high degree of autonomy within a complex patient care home environment and must exercise independent problem solving skills for providing physical therapy expertise to patients referred to the HBPC program.
• The incumbent provides independent evaluation for a wide variety of health issues to include poly-trauma patients with traumatic brain injury, cerebrovascular accidents, spinal cord injury, amputations, cardiopulmonary/circulatory disorders, orthopedic disorders, neurological disorders, musculoskeletal dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, autoimmune disorders, mental illness, and cognitive impairment including dementia and Alzheimer disease. The incumbent makes referrals to the appropriate specialty clinics based on findings for items that cannot be provided in the home.
• The incumbent independently evaluates all home-bound patients referred to HBPC and implements appropriate treatment. The HBPC patient population is made up of males and females from various socioeconomic backgrounds and ethnicities. The ages of HBPC patients range from adult to geriatric, the majority being geriatric, having a variety of disabilities. These cases may be complex in nature with chronic and acute disease entities including but not limited to central nervous system disorders, joint diseases, circulatory/pulmonary diseases, diabetes mellitus, altered thought processes and multi system disease combinations.
• The incumbent is required to independently complete a physical therapy evaluation, an environmental accessibility/safety/emergency preparedness assessment, and fall risk assessment. The incumbent determines appropriate durable medical equipment required, and recommends appropriate interventions to improve the patient's functional and mobility abilities. Independently uses standard and non-standard methods for evaluating issues in the home environment to identify potential problems and obtain a baseline level of function. Incumbent has the ability to determine the most appropriate plan of care relative to the patient's diagnosis, age, financial standing, social condition, and cognitive abilities with the goal being to achieve the highest level of understanding and functioning by the patient.
• The incumbent is responsible for independently conducting complex evaluations; applying advanced evaluation methodologies and treatment theories in the provision of care to address a vast array of functional impairments within a diverse complex patient population.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #:Physical Therapy
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
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.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• 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).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

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. Candidates must be a citizen of the United States. After a determination is made that it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens, necessary personnel may be appointed on a temporary basis under authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 without regard to the citizenship requirements of 38 U.S.C. 7402 or any other law prohibiting the employment of or payment of compensation to a person who is not a citizen of the United States. Candidates must meet all other requirements for the grade and position concerned.
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.
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.
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.
OR
Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a Physical Therapist.
OR
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.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).
GS-12 Physical Therapist (Full Performance Level) Education, Experience and Licensure. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level, hold a valid unrestricted state license, and demonstrate all the KSAs below:
Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to coordinate workflow and clinical activities as well as monitor data reports within physical therapy section to ensure optimal patient care.
• Ability to articulate and communicate to the clinical team the assignment, project, problem to be solved, actionable events, and objectives, as well as to advise on work methods, practices and procedures.
• Ability to provide new staff orientation, staff development, and training.
• Demonstrates advanced skill to serve as mentor and coach of the clinical team.
• Ability to manage staffing requirements and priorities, and coordinate work in order to complete duties in an accurate and timely manner. This includes the ability to follow-up on pending issues and demonstrating an understanding of the impact of incomplete work.

References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/99 PART II APPENDIX G12The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. .
Physical Requirements: Ability to spend approximately 75% of working day ambulating and standing. Ability to frequently lift 60 pounds of force. Ability to safely transfer patients and/or equipment using proper body mechanics (pushing, pulling, and lifting strategies). Ability to use the computer system.
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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
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.
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.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequentl...