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Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist) - Pain

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
Veterans Health Administration
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Physical Therapist Pain Clinical Specialist supporting the Pain Management Team (PMT), the Stepped Pain Care Team, and the Primary Care IDT. Provides support across the NWIHCS, but is based at the Omaha Division and offers primary support to clinics at that site.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
05/19/2023 to 06/12/2023
Salary
$99,358 to - $129,164 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Omaha, NE
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
CBSY-11975728-23-KAH
Control number
727080500

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This is a PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT and is open to Federal employees from agencies other than the Department of Veterans Affairs and All US Citizens. If you are a current, permanent, VA Nationwide employee, you should apply under the internal announcement number CBSY-11975727-23-KAH.

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Duties

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Major job duties include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Demonstrates advanced knowledge and expert skill utilizing specialized interventions and treatments used in the rehabilitation of complex pain patients. Utilizes knowledge gained through a minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice in complex pain care gained between the past two to five years, or Board Certification in the specialty area recognized by the ABPTS, or completion of a clinical residency/fellowship program targeting pain rehabilitation, or an additional advanced degree in a related field.
  • Serves as a consultant to physical therapy and other medical center staff in evaluating and treating complex pain patients within the NWIHCS. Serves as the Rehabilitation representative on the Pain Management Team (PMT) for the NWIHCS as outlined in the CARA Legislation. Also, works closely and supports the Stepped Pain Care Team for the NWIHCS. Collaborates with the Primary Care Pain Management Interdisciplinary Teams, Stepped Pain Care Team, and the Pain Management Teams on program development and for providing functional activation programing.
  • Coordinates closely with the PMT, Stepped Pain Care Teams, Prosthetics, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Social Work, Nursing, and other Medical Providers to deliver seamless care to the veteran.
  • Routinely teaches and mentors medical center staff in concepts of complex pain rehabilitation. Provides at least Quarterly training opportunities for Primary Care teams. Provides Quarterly inservice training to Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy staff across the NWIHCS.
  • Routinely works with Physical Therapy Interns from our Affiliated Universities.
  • Provides competency training and certifies annual competencies of Physical Therapy peers within the NWIHCS.
  • Demonstrates advanced/expert skill in the performance and interpretation of specialized evaluative procedures and tests. Routinely utilizes research validated outcome measurement tools to evaluate the efficacy of treatment outcomes and to develop action plans to facilitate improvements.
  • Responsible for leading and participating with performance improvement teams to improve outcomes. Routinely serves a leadership role on interdisciplinary performance improvement teams targeting complex pain processes.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 7:30am - 4:00pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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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

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: 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 Determination:
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.
    • 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
  • Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs):
    • 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: Pain Neuroscience, Chronic Pain PT experience

References: See VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G12

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

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. 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.

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