Summary

The Primary Purpose of the Position is: The Geriatric Clinical Specialist Physical Therapist at this level performs higher-level duties which consist of significant scope - complexity (difficulty) - and variety. This position is located in the Community Living Center(CLC) in Dallas VA. May require cross coverage to other areas and traveling to Veteran's home for a Home Safety evaluation.

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: (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
• 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 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 in subparagraph 3b 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
• 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)
• Grandfathering Provision
• All licensed PTs employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title - series and grade held - including positive education and licensure that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation
• For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard - but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it - the following provisions apply: Employees grandfathered into the GS-0633 occupational series as PTs may be reassigned - promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level - or changed to lower grade within the occupation
• PTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of this qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of this standard
• PTs initially grandfathered into this occupation - who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration - meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard and must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation
• If PTs who are grandfathered under this provision leave the occupation - the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation
• 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: - 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
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate 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: Two or more years of experience in rehabilitation for acute and/or sub-acute setting
• Experience performing chart review - evaluation and develop treatment plan for acute and/or chronic injuries with impairment such as
• amputation - musculoskeletal - neurological - orthopedic - cardio-pulmonary - pain management - cancer - etc
• Experience in performing direct supervision Physical Therapy assistance and/or Physical Therapy students
• Experience providing mentoring to peers and provide education regarding rehabilitation to others healthcare services
• 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
• Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting - 15 - 44 pounds Light lifting - under 15 pounds Moderate carrying - 15-44 pounds Light carrying - under 15 pounds Straight pulling (2 hours) Pulling hand over hand (2 hours) Pushing (2 hours) Reaching above shoulder Use of fingers Both hands required Walking (4 hours) Standing (4 hours) Crawling (1 hours) Kneeling (2 hours) Repeated bending (6 hours) Climbing - legs only (2 hours) Both legs required Operations of crane - truck - tractor - or motor vehicle Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4 Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other Both eyes required Depth perception Ability to distinguish basic colors Ability to distinguish shades of colors Hearing (aid permitted) Simple Grasping/Pinch (6 hours) Fine manipulation/keyboarding (4 hours) Sitting (4 hours) Twisting (4 hours)

Duties

• VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY Duties may include but are not limited to: Applies advanced knowledge if contemporary physical therapy within specialty are of geriatrics to provide clinical guidance - training or education for internal and external stakeholders
• Veterans are scheduled for evaluation considering caseload complexity and acuity of medical condition
• Coordinates veteran schedule with other interdisciplinary team members
• Conducts advanced comprehensive patient examinations to identify rehabilitation problems - establish treatment goals and develop the plan of care
• Guided by differential diagnosis (screen for systemic diseases and medical conditions that can mimic neuromuscular and musculoskeletal problems) and movement diagnosis (examine and evaluate movement system - including diagnosis and prognosis - to provide a customized and integrated plan of care to achieve the geriatric patient individual's goal-directed outcomes.)
• performs complex and advance examinations and evaluations of geriatric individuals who have or may develop impairments - activity limitations - and participation restrictions related to conditions of the musculoskeletal - neuromuscular - cardiovascular - pulmonary - and/or integumentary systems while considering the effects attributable to unique personal and environmental factors
• Reviews of medical records to interpret findings from examinations - diagnostic studies and/or medical tests
• During evaluation selects appropriate geriatric evidence based on clinical tests and measures
• the integrate the findings into the physical therapy plan of care for the full range of patient populations - using evidence-based data and forms
• Establishes a diagnosis within the scope of physical therapy and identifies the appropriate intervention to treat or the need for referral to another provider for further consultation when needed
• Determine physical therapy prognosis by incorporating examination findings with the patient's preferences for meaningful level of function in order to set clinically appropriate treatment goals and optimize outcomes
• Evaluations address rehabilitation potential - function - motor and sensory skills - durable medical equipment - adaptive equipment - adaptive equipment needs - specialized technology needs - safety - prevention and barriers to learning
• Based on findings from a thorough advanced assessment - develops and implements a comprehensive patient treatment plan - which includes objective measurable goals and timeliness for completion
• The goals and plan of care are developed in collaboration with veteran/family/caregiver an effective goal-directed treatment program that is as appropriate and indicated for the impairment - functional limitation and/or disability being treated
• Documents in electronic medical records patient care services rendered - progress and response to treatment
• completes encounters - FIM and MDS following established guidelines for timeliness and content per PM&R - GEC - TJC - CMS - and VANTHCS policies
• Work Schedule: Monday through Friday: 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM or 8:00AM- 4:30PM 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