Clarification from the agency

This job is open to current permanent employees of the VA Bedford Medical Center and Veterans Health Administration agency employees. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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This Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist) position is in Physical & Rehabilitation services at the Bedfiord VA Medical Center, located at the Bedford MA location. This position is full-time at 40 hours per week.

The incumbent functions as a Physical Therapist, Clinical Specialist, for the Physical Therapy Service, Sensory and Physical Rehabilitation Service (SPRS). The position requires a licensed Physical Therapist (PT) who works independently with general guidance from the Service Chief, Physical Therapy Supervisor, and the Chief of Pain Management. The incumbent has evidence of a minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice directly in the specialty area. Duties include but are not limited to:

• Demonstrates a high degree of independence and professional judgment in planning and executing treatment programs to meet complex treatment objectives;
• Performs tests and measurements of muscles, nerves, range of motion, posture, strength, ambulation, circulatory and respiratory status using various mechanical and electrical means and interprets the results;
• Exercises originality in solving problems and makes innovative adaptations of clinical procedures;
• Performs complex physical therapy evaluation and treatment for male and female patients aged 18-85+ years old;
• Plans and implements a comprehensive treatment regimen designed to maximize functional potential of the patient, using a variety of treatment modalities and procedures;
• Demonstrates independent problem-solving skills that allow for frequent modification of treatment plans in response to subtle, but significant changes in the condition of the patient;
• Assesses for and requests prosthetic/orthotic equipment as needed and can make modification as necessary;
• Provides patients and their families/support system with education, information and training regarding diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, responsibility, self-care management, treatment plan, goals, and equipment provided;
• Assists in the scheduling of patients according to the physical therapy treatment plan while coordinating with the treatment plans of other disciplines within the team and facility;
• Assists in the care of patients other than those of the specialized area of the Chronic Pain Program as caseload permits, or needs of the department dictate;
• Maintains a workload consistent with the standards established by the Physical Therapy Service and SPRS;
• Participates in program development for the Chronic Pain Program and Physical Therapy Service to improve efficiency and quality of care provided to patients;
• Attends educational and development meetings for SPRS and Chronic Pain Program;
• Attends SPRS in-services as well as hospital-wide in-services. Attends and completes mandatory in-service training as required by VA, SPRS and PT policies;
• Provides evidence-based specialty PT education programs to a variety of audiences including students, other health care professionals, and the public within Bedford VA and VISN 1;
• Provides clinical guidance and expert opinion to staff PTs within the department;
• Completes annual mandatory reviews and other education as directed by National Headquarters, VISN, Medical Center, Service Line and Department; and
• Assumes other related duties.

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

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30 am-4:00 pm
Telework: Ad-hoc; Telework eligibility may be discussed during the interview process.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 518-F08521
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact Karen.Chapman@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Notifications:

• Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.
• Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held.
• This position is not a Bargaining Unit position.
• This position is covered by locality-based comparability pay.
• Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment.

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.
• 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).
• 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 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.
• Foreign Graduates. Graduates of foreign physical therapy programs meet the requirements if they have a full unrestricted and current license to practice physical therapy in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. Foreign educated individuals must undergo an educational credentials assessment for substantial equivalency to the first professional degree in the US by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT).
• 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.

Grade Determinations: GS- 13 Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist)
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 (Chronic Pain). This time must be between the past two and five years; or
2. Board Certification in the specialty area (Chronic Pain) recognized by the ABPTS; or
3. Completion of a fellowship program; or
4. An additional advanced degree in a related field.

In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

• Advanced knowledge and expert skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in a specialized treatment area (Chronic Pain) 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 (Chronic Pain) of physical therapy.
• Ability to teach and mentor medical center staff in a specialized content area (Chronic Pain) of physical therapy.
• Ability to guide the work of a multi-disciplinary team in a specialized content area (Chronic Pain) 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 (Chronic Pain).

(Note: specialized content areas of physical therapy include, but are not limited to, geriatrics, neurology, cardiopulmonary, orthopedics, spinal cord injury, amputee, wound care, chronic pain, pelvic health, polytrauma, brain injury, lymphedema, vestibular, assistive technology, seating and mobility. As health care evolves content specialty will change.)

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:

• Experience in Pain Management (Chronic Pain) Inpatient/Outpatient.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: Pre-placement and periodic physical examinations are required for hybrid occupations to ensure workers are placed in positions where they can perform the essential functions of their job considering their physical, mental and emotional capacities, without endangering their health or the health of their co-workers. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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.

Area of Consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:

1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility.

2. VHA employees.

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.