Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist)

Description:

The Staff Physical Therapist/Electrophysiology Clinical Specialist (PT/ECS) works as a member of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitative Service (PMRS) at Butler VA Health Care System. The incumbent provides clinical rehabilitation services to Veterans receiving care within all settings of the Butler VA Health Care System to include the Health Care Center, Domiciliary Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program, Community Living Center, and Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC).

Requirements:

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.
• English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English.
• Basic Requirements; (1) Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist, OR (2) Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist, OR (3) 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:

• (1) 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
• (2) Board Certification in the specialty area recognized by the ABPTS; OR
• (3) Completion of a fellowship program; OR
• (4) An additional advanced degree in a related field.

Specialized Experience: Must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the journey level (GS-12) that is directly related to the position to be filled (GS-13). Examples of this experience include; Independently providing assessment and treatment interventions to inpatients and outpatients received through healthcare provider referrals and patient self-referrals, interpret findings from examination, diagnostic studies/medical tests and, during evaluation, select appropriate clinical tests and measures, and then integrate findings into the physical therapy plan of care for the full range of patient populations. Practice autonomously, making recommendations and referrals to other medical specialties/services as clinically indicated during ongoing assessment of patients under their care.

GS-13 Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs (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.
• 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/ .

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13.

Physical Requirements: In Accordance With VA Directive and Handbook 5019