Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens. If you are a current, permanent VA employee, you should apply to: CBTF-11856532-23-STT-TEAMC

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The physical therapist (PT) assigned to this position will serve as a subject matter expert for assistive technology (AT) for the Washington DC VAMC (DCVAMC). The PT is assigned to the Physical Therapy Department within Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS). The incumbent will utilize advanced knowledge of contemporary physical therapy across multiple areas of practice to provide clinical guidance about assistive technology to health care practitioners (both inside and outside the DCVAMC). In collaboration with the team, the PT will develop protocols and procedures specific to assistive technology related issues that is current and evidence based. The incumbent will also plan, implement, and coordinate comprehensive physical therapy services for adult and geriatric veterans who have complex medical, neurological, orthopedic, psychological and other disorders. This position specifically assesses need for and trains/educates veterans in adaptive aides, seating systems, and other major medical equipment, including assistive technology devices, in multiple settings. Due to the described program management involved, the PT will have some PM&R administrative time as it relates to developing and implementing the program. However, most of the time will be spent in clinical care.

Clinical Duties:

• Evaluates patients' abilities and functional limitations, develops treatment plans and administers appropriate therapy program. Documents initial plan, interim progress, and final summaries in patient's electronic record.
• Assesses need for adaptive aides, seating systems, and other major equipment, including assistive technology devices. PT formulates individualized prescription for pertinent items and trains patients in their use. Customized devices are fabricated as necessary. Provides treatment plans and follow up.
• Performs home evaluations as needed for accessibility and safety, making recommendations for structural modifications, as well as adaptive and assistive technology needs. PT assesses patients' functional mobility on public transportation and in community facilities.
• Coordinates care plan with interdisciplinary team, making referrals as needed.
• Triages referrals to wheeled mobility clinic and performs screening intake calls.
• Provides cross coverage to other areas of PT as needed based on evolving clinical needs.

Educational Duties:

• Supervises and trains physical therapy interns and practicum students. PT assists in development and upgrading of training program content.
• Acts as the subject matter expert to other staff regarding assistive technology matters; providing staff education and guidance to PMRS clinicians and other health care professionals regarding assistive technology.
• Provides education and training to family members and caregivers regarding patients' functional status, and operation and maintenance of equipment, including assistive technology devices.
• Attends and participates in section and program in-services, healthcare system educational offerings, professional conferences and workshops. Shares gained knowledge, improved methods or techniques with other PT/ATP staff.

Administrative Duties:

• Develops forms and maintenance of treatment guidelines, data collection, and patient education.
• Leads/Co-leads the Interdisciplinary Care team as it relates to assistive technology and wheeled mobility prescription.
• Supports the coordination of resources among departments to ensure smooth operations and clinical services.
• Maintains patient attendance records and other required statistics/metrics required by the service/depts. Completes and submits reports as requested by the supervisor.
• Facilitates consult management as defined by service/program requirements.
• Supports and actively participates in ongoing accreditation and performance improvement efforts (e.g., CARF, the Joint commission).
• Shares responsibility for clinic environment and maintenance.
• Submits requests for clinic supplies and materials.
• Supports and actively participates in ongoing outcome data management processes.
• Remains current on policies and procedures around government purchasing.
• Actively participates in process improvement efforts with leadership and administrative staff to improve clinical and administrative efficiency.
• Participates in appropriate hospital and department committees (ex: MMEC).
• Provides customer service recovery as needed in a timely manner.

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday; 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Telework: Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Contact the VISN 5 EDRP Coordinators at VISN5EDRPCoordinators@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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.
• 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.

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

Basic Requirements:

United States Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy)

English Language Proficiency. Candidates 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. Candidates 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.

Creditable Experience: To be creditable, a candidate must have demonstrated possession of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with the scope of physical therapy practice. Experience is only creditable if it was post degree experience as a professional PT and is directly related to the duties to be performed. Qualifying experience must also be at a level comparable to or exceeding the professional PT experience at the next lower grade level. The candidate's experience may be evidenced by one or more of the following:

1. Active professional practice. Active professional practice means paid/non-paid employment as a professional PT as defined by APTA or the appropriate licensing board. Experience gained after graduation but prior to licensure is creditable provided the candidate was utilized as a graduate PT and subsequently passed the licensure examination.
2. Completion of a post-graduate fellowship or a post-graduate residency program may be substituted for creditable experience on a year for year basis. A post-graduate fellowship is a planned program of post professional clinical and didactic education for a physical therapist who demonstrates clinical expertise in an area of clinical practice related to the practice focus of the fellowship. (Fellows are frequently post-residency prepared or board-certified specialists). A post-graduate fellowship program includes advanced clinical and didactic instruction within a subspecialty area of practice with mentored clinical experience and sufficient and appropriate patient population to create an environment for advanced clinical skill building.

Licensure. Candidates must 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.

NOTE: Individuals who have or have had multiple licenses and had any such license revoked for professional misconduct, professional incompetency or substandard care, or who surrendered such license after receiving written notice of potential termination of such license by the state for professional misconduct, professional incompetence, or substandard care, are not eligible for appointment to the position unless such revoked or surrendered license is fully restored (38 U.S.C 7402(f)). Effective November 30, 1999, this is a requirement for employment. This requirement does not apply to licensed physical therapists on VA rolls as of November 30, 1999, provided the individual maintains a continuous appointment and is not disqualified for employment by any subsequent revocations or voluntary surrenders of State license, registration or certification.

Grandfathering Provision. Applicants 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: In addition to the basic and education requirements, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates:

GS-13 Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist)

Applicants at the GS-13 grade level must possess:

Experience. One year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level providing assessment and treatment interventions to inpatients and outpatients, performing examinations and evaluations of individuals who have or may develop impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions, interpreting findings from examinations, diagnostic studies/medical tests and selecting appropriate clinical tests and measures, integrating findings into the physical therapy plan of care for the full range of patient populations, establishing a diagnosis within the scope of physical therapy and identifying the appropriate intervention to treat and/or refer patients, determining physical therapy prognoses, selecting appropriate equipment needed to substitute for loss of function or to substitute for limited function of individuals, and making recommendations and referrals to other medical specialties/services as clinically indicated during the ongoing assessment of patients.

In addition to the above requirements, candidates must also possess 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.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the all following KSAs:

1. Advanced knowledge and expert skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in a specialized treatment area of physical therapy.
2. 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.
3. Ability to teach and mentor medical center staff in a specialized content area of physical therapy.
4. Ability to guide the work of a multi-disciplinary team in a specialized content area of physical therapy.
5. Advanced knowledge and expert skill to perform and interpret specialized procedures and tests in evaluating the treatment outcomes in the assigned specialty content area.

Preferred Experience: Specialty certification from Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA ) and/or 3+ years experience or evidence of trainings and education in the field of assistive technology, home modifications, and/or seating and mobility prescription.

References: VA Handbook 5005/99 Part II, Appendix G12

Physical Requirements: Incumbents must be able to: do heavy lifting (45 pounds and over), have use of fingers (both hands required), reach above their shoulder, walk and stand (for 8 hours), and have use of both legs. Far vision must be correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other eye; must have the ability to distinguish basic colors and to distinguish shades of colors. Must have hearing (aid is permitted), and mental and emotional stability. Must meet and maintain physical and drug test program requirements for the position, as required.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. We strongly recommend including a separate document addressing the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) listed in the Qualifications section above. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.