Clarification from the agency

Current permanent employees of Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System and its satellites. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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• Using advanced knowledge from wound care education, the incumbent demonstrates a high degree of independence and professional judgment in planning and executing treatment programs to meet complex treatment objectives for the wound care treatment of the musculoskeletal population in a direct access environment. Exercises originality in solving problems not covered by the guide, makes innovative adaptations of the clinical procedures herein to meet the complex and highly varying needs of the wound care treatment of the musculoskeletal population and advises all other health care team members and students in this regard
• Evaluates inpatients and outpatients to identify specific physical therapy treatment problems. Demonstrates advanced knowledge of contemporary physical therapy across multiple areas of practice with an emphasis in wound care and the demonstrated ability to apply this advanced knowledge to provide clinical guidance to other staff PT's within the department.
• Performs tests and measurements specific to the wound care treatment of the musculoskeletal population and patient's condition. Interprets results of these tests and measurements to prepare treatment plans, evaluate the results of treatment plans and modify treatment plans as indicated. Tests are frequently complex and must be adapted to each patient based on physical disabilities, psychiatric disabilities, and/or present medical condition.
• Plans and carries out the full range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities where therapeutic objectives are complex and procedures involved require the application of specialized skills and knowledge in the area of wound care related evaluations and treatments. Adapts and applies treatment procedures with critical concern for patients who are acutely ill, or who have a combination of severe mental/emotional or physical disabilities.
• This PT exercises expert professional judgment to establish appropriate discharge planning recommendations to ensure safe discharge from inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation programs. Treatment will be provided on the ward, in the facility and in the community as appropriate for the patient's needs. These skills and interventions will be based on current physical therapy theory, research and practice
• 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. The employment of innovative treatment techniques is used to obtain the best outcome. The coordination of multiple treatment approaches simultaneously is needed to accomplish complex treatment objectives. Critical assessment of treatment outcomes will be regularly performed
• Coordinates and/or directs overall clinic activities in the specialty area of wound care, including professional supervision of patient evaluation and treatment by other therapy staff members.
• Recognizes the complex needs of the patient requiring wound care treatment and assesses for and requests prosthetic/orthotic equipment as needed and is able to make modifications as necessary
• Serves as a subject matter expert and role model for other therapists and students evaluating and treatment patients in the area of wound care.
• Maintains current knowledge of wound care related information and serves as a consultant to therapists and/or other medical center staff who may be conducting research related to the specialty area of wound care.
• Provides 1:1 instruction and patient demonstrations to interns/residents/students on tests related to wound care.
• Serves as the one of the primary PT for panels and interviews with the Joint Commission regarding all aspects of wound care treatment in physical therapy systems and processes.
• Triages new consults for physical therapy for determination of appropriateness for therapy
• Leads and participates in department focus groups to establish guidelines for treatment and monitor outcomes in the patients.
• Leads and participates in Performance Improvement teams and activities related to wound care.
• Assists in the care of patients other than those of the specialized area of wound care as caseload permits, or as the needs of the service indicate. Maintains a workload consistent with the standards established by the Physical Therapy Section and the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm. Subject to change based on needs of the facility.
Telework: not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 01449F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: not available
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): not available

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

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. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

Education and 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: 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 and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation to accredit entry-level physical therapy programs.

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. Although the licensing of PTs in the United States is a right and responsibility of each jurisdiction, foreign educated individuals must undergo an educational credentials assessment for substantial equivalency to the first professional degree in the United States.

Licensure. Individuals 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.

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:
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:

(a) Evidence of a minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice directly in the specialty area. This time must be between the past 2 to 5 years; or
(b) Board Certification in the specialty area recognized by the ABPTS; or
(c) Completion of a fellowship program; or
(d) An additional advanced degree in a related field.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the 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.

Resume must include hours per week for work experience credit.

Preferred Experience. PM&RS is seeking the best qualified physical therapist with preferred experience in the outpatient setting with the following responsibilities/characteristics:

• At least 3 years of experience working in the outpatient setting at CAVHS.
• At least 80 hours of post professional degree education/training in the area of manual therapy in order to display advanced knowledge and expert skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities
• Proficient in establishing and conducting wound care evaluation and treatment plans
• Skilled in delivering wound care on a variety of wound types
• Knowledge of evaluating and treating complex wound care cases such as diabetic foot wounds
• Proficient in successfully recommending and applying most accepted type of dressing for wounds
• Develop and implement complex, goal-oriented treatment plans for patients, presenting with a multiplicity of dysfunction and impairments in physical, functional, and adaptive areas
• Provides independent evaluation and therapeutic interventions to a full range of wounded, ill, and injured veterans with a diverse set of diagnoses
• Teaches alternative or compensatory techniques for rehabilitation, reconditioning, and functional tasks, regardless of physical, mental, and/or cognitive deficits.
• Designs advanced level treatment plans to meet patient/clinical objectives
• Provides education and consultation to patients and other providers, including development of training programs and educational in-services.
• Provides recommendations for continued treatment, home programs, and reconditioning, as well as guidance on physical health, functional, and adaptive activities

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

The position is above Full Performance Level (GS-13).

Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.

Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

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.