Summary

The Dry Needling Clinical Specialist Physical Therapist is assigned to the Physical Therapy Department within Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) at the Hampton Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Hampton - VA - which is a Complexity Level 1C facility. The Therapist is responsible for completing neuro-musculoskeletal evaluations and treatments.

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
• 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 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
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the all 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
• References: VA handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G12 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13
• Physical Requirements: : Given the probability of patient treatment - the work requires above-average agility and dexterity - heavy lifting - 45 pounds and over
• use of fingers - both hands required
• reaching above shoulder
• walking (8 hours)
• standing (8 hours)
• both legs required (1 prosthetic)
• far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other
• ability to distinguish basic colors
• ability to distinguish shades of colors
• hearing (aid permitted) - and mental and emotional stability.

Duties

• Duties Include: The Dry Needling Clinical Specialist Physical Therapist is an integral member of the Interdisciplinary Pain Management Team and PMRS Team as needed in delivery of care for patients with chronic and acute pain
• Assists Physical Therapy Rehab Program Manager / Supervisor of Physical Therapy in planning - developing and sustaining various treatment programs specifically related to but not limited to Manual / Orthopedic PT to meet patient needs - as requested by PM&RS supervisor
• Actively supports and promotes all programs of PM&RS
• Assist with orientation of new Physical Therapy staff
• Provides consultation and teaching for dry needling - IASTM - taping - cupping and other hands on / manual therapy rehabilitation research projects
• Establishes and maintains contact with other health care providers involved in patient care via written - telephone - and personal communication on a regular basis at the Hampton VA Medical Center
• Resolves problems that interfere with delivery of Physical Therapy service
• Assists in the development - planning and implementation of monitors of quality of care with respect to PM&RS as part of the comprehensive health care services delivered to the patients within the Hampton VA Medical Center
• Conducts record keeping related to patient care documentation and quality improvement (QI) data collection as specified by the Supervisor - Physical Therapy Department
• Reviews and makes recommendations on supply and equipment acquisition
• Ability to make autonomous clinical decisions in a Direct Access environment that includes the ability to independently evaluate and treat patients who seek physical therapy services
• Responsible for the examination and treatment of patients referred to the Physical Therapy Department
• Establishes and maintains contact with other health care providers involved in patient care via written - telephone - and personal communication on a regular basis at the Hampton VA Medical Center
• Resolves problems that interfere with delivery of physical therapy care
• Demonstrates the teaching skills required to provide education to patients - family members - caregivers - employees - students - and coworkers
• Demonstrates the advanced knowledge and skills necessary to provide treatment appropriate to patients despite as it related to dry needling physical therapy
• Demonstrates knowledge of the changes associated with the aging/disease processes as well as possesses the ability to assess the patient's status to interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age related - physical - psychosocial and cultural needs
• Performs competent written documentation of initial examinations - progress notes - and discharge summaries
• Work Schedule: 8:00 A.M
• - 4:30 P.M. - Monday-Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Financial Disclosure Report: Not required