Clarification from the agency

Open to all U.S. Citizens

Videos

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

Clinical:

• Is viewed as a clinician, whose skills are beyond entry-level competence, functioning beyond the full performance level and whose skills demonstrate the ability to perform with a high degree of autonomy in patient care and exercising independent problem-solving skills.
• Clinical Specialists spend at least 25% or greater of their time working with specialized population(s) within their department.
• 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.
• Evaluates and assesses patients, as assigned, to determine the treatment course to be followed. He/she performs tests and measurements of muscles, nerves, range of motion, posture, strength, ambulation, circulatory and respiratory status using various mechanical and electrical means. He/she performs and interprets results of tests and measurement of the patient's condition for use in preparing a treatment plan, modifying treatment, and evaluating results of treatment. Incumbent carries out test procedures, determines kind and degree of reaction to tests and interprets results of tests. He/she exercises originality in solving problems, makes innovative adaptations of the clinical procedures herein to meet the complex and highly varying needs of the patient population.
• Is responsible for the triaging of inpatient, outpatient and CLC Physical Therapy consults related to amputee care to ensure consults/patient referrals are handled in the most expeditious manner based upon acuity of need.
• Serves as a consultant for health care providers regarding the delivery of care within Amputee Physical Therapy care.
• Teaches and mentors physical therapists and other medical center staff in Amputee Physical Therapy care (i.e. Department and hospital level in services).
• Carries out duties and responsibilities in-person and via virtual modalities throughout the Madison VA Health Care System including various clinical, administrative, and patient care areas at all campuses, as assigned and dictated by workload requirements, and in the community as indicated.
• Involves the patient, family/significant other and medical team in treatment planning and goal setting through ongoing communication.

• Plans and implements a comprehensive treatment regimen designed to maximize functional potential of the patient, using a myriad of treatment modalities and procedures, including but not limited to neuromuscular facilitation, muscle re-education, electrical stimulation, sensory integration techniques, positioning, application of assistive devices and joint protection techniques, and works toward established goals.
• To meet specific and individualized needs and goals for patients with multiple physical/functional problems, incumbent will demonstrate ability to change/modify treatment plans and employ treatment interventions to accomplish desired treatment objectives.

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.

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship: citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens.
• Education: graduate of an accredited Physical Therapy program earning a Bachelor's or Master's degree or clinical doctoral degree in Physical Therapy from a program accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).
• Licensure: current, full, active, and unrestricted license to practice as an Physical Therapist in a state, territory, or commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia.
• English Language Proficiency: spoken and written English language proficiency in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3j.
• The qualified individual will meet and maintain the qualification requirements for the position, assignment and grade as outlined in the Physical Therapy Qualification Standard, VA Handbook 5005/99, Part II, Appendix G12.
• Physical Requirements: The incumbent of the position will meet and maintain physical and drug test program requirements as required by hospital policy. There will be periods of walking and ambulating patients, providing patient transfers, and potential to lift 50 pounds and supporting patients.

• 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;

• Board Certification in the specialty area recognized by the ABPTS;

• Completion of a fellowship program;

• 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 (see paragraph 2i).
• Ability to teach and mentor medical center staff in a specialized content area of physical 10 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 (see Definitions, paragraph 2. i.).

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.