Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. This announcement is open to current permanent employees of Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital.

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VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY

This position is for a Physical Therapist, Orthopedic Clinical Specialist within the Physical Therapy Department within Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&R) at the Truman VA Medical Center in Columbia, MO. The duties of this position include but are not limited to:

• Providing assessment and treatment interventions to outpatients received through healthcare provider referrals as well as patient self-referrals
• Makes autonomous clinical decisions in a Direct Access environment
• Perform and interpret specialized evaluative procedures and tests in orthopedic conditions
• Develop, coordinate, and implement highly specialized treatment programs within his/her assigned clinic
• Demonstrate advanced manual therapy skills especially for management of acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions including but not limited to: sprains, degenerative disease of aging spine, rotator cuff disorders, sciatic, hip, and knee conditions
• Utilize appropriate screening and evaluation techniques required to appropriately provide and direct patient care
• Maintains timely data input utilizing care plans, initial assessments and/or specialty protocols as part of an ongoing process in coordination with other key interdisciplinary staff
• Exercise initiative, discretion, adaptability, and sound professional judgement at all times
• Demonstrate the ability to develop and coordinate clinical education programs with evidence of advanced experience in clinical education
• Provide in-service and clinical training programs as assigned by supervisor
• Develop and provide timely reports to the supervisor and others
• Complete encounter information in accordance with Truman VA Medical Center Guidelines
• Perform competent written documentation of initial examinations, progress notes, and discharge summaries
• Perform other duties as assigned

Work Schedule: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Friday; 4 10 hours shifts
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000 Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist) GS-0633-13
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact VISN15EDRP@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

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.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Education/Experience: The individual 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.
Note: Foreign Graduates. Graduates of foreign physical therapy programs meet the requirements in subparagraph 2b if they have a full unrestricted and current license to practice physical therapy in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. Any PT who has, or has ever had, any license(s) revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with regulations issued by the Under Secretary for Health or designee.

• 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.
• 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

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 meeting the basic requirements, the candidate must have one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level and one of the following to qualify for GS- 13 Physical Therapist.

• 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.

Important Note: In addition to the experience above, the candidate RESUME must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) or attach completed KSAs as separate Document to your resume:

• 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.

Preferred Experience: Three years experience, including consistent and confident use of telehealth and chronic pain expertise. A chronic pain specialty training or certificate is also preferred.

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-13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13.

Physical Requirements: Occasional lifting, 20-50 pounds, moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds, straight pulling, pulling hand over hand, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking, standing, repeated bending, both legs required, ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing (aid permitted), far vision correctable in one eye to 20/50 and to 20/100 in the other. Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination.

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, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. 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.