Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist)

VA Detroit; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

VA Detroit is seeking a Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist) for its Boston Healthcare Systems. This role involves providing specialized patient care, particularly in pelvic health, and requires strong clinical experience. Ideal candidates will have advanced degrees in Physical Therapy and proven skills in patient evaluation and treatment.

Qualifications

• Licensed Physical Therapist with at least 2,000 hours of clinical practice.
• Evidence of Board Certification in specialty or equivalent advanced degree.
• Independence in clinical decisions within a Direct Access environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct patient care including comprehensive evaluations and treatments.
• Work within Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service across multiple locations.
• Mentor and educate medical center staff in specialized physical therapy.

Skills

Pelvic Health Physical Therapy

Clinical Decision Making

Patient Evaluation

Education

Doctorate degree in physical therapy

Master's degree in Physical Therapy

Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy

Job description

Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist)

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Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist)

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Summary

This Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist) position is in Physical Therapy at the VA Boston Healthcare Systems, located at the Jamaica Plain. Incumbent provides direct patient care, including Pelvic Health Physical Therapy. This is a full-time, 40 hour per week position, within Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS), with duties across VA Boston sites, including Jamaica Plain, West Roxbury and Brockton.

Summary

This Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist) position is in Physical Therapy at the VA Boston Healthcare Systems, located at the Jamaica Plain. Incumbent provides direct patient care, including Pelvic Health Physical Therapy. This is a full-time, 40 hour per week position, within Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS), with duties across VA Boston sites, including Jamaica Plain, West Roxbury and Brockton.

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Duties

Incumbent functions as a Physical Therapist, Clinical Specialist, for the Physical Therapy Department, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) of the VA Boston Healthcare System (VA BHS). The position requires a licensed Physical Therapist (PT) who works independently with general guidance from the Service Line Care Manager and Outpatient Physical Therapy Supervisor. Individual has 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/residency program; or an additional advanced degree in a related field. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs. The primary function of this position is to provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment of all patients but particularly those with complex conditions. Incumbent demonstrates independence with ability to make autonomous clinical decisions in a Direct Access environment, including the ability to independently evaluate and treat patients who seek physical therapy services.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Full-time (Monday at Brockton: Tuesday and Wednesday at West Roxbury; Thursday and Friday at Jamaica Plain; Weekend/Holiday Rotation.)

Compressed/Flexible:Not available.

Telework: Not available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: F04788

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized.

EDRP: Not authorized

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Notifications

• This position is in the Excepted Service.
• This position is an AFGE Bargaining Unit position.
• Incomplete applications will not be considered.
• Selectee will be required to complete additional forms to proceed with employment process.
• Selectee may be required to work at any Boston Healthcare System campus, as needed.
• The incumbent may be required to travel to other VA campuses and CBOC's.
• Current and former Federal employees may submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held.
  
  

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Designated drug testing required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
  
  

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.
• 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.

• Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist.
• Doctorate degree in physical therapy.
  
  

Note: Prior to 1995 the terminal degree for PT's was either a bachelor's or master's degree. In 1995 CAPTE accredited all baccalaureate, master's, and Doctor of Physical Therapy terminal degree programs. Effective 2002, CAPTE changed its scope of accrediting activities of PT education programs to include only those programs that culminate in post-baccalaureate degrees(eliminating the baccalaureate degree). Effective 2015, professional physical therapy education programs have only offered the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree to all new students.

Accreditation Requirement: 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the all following KSAs.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• 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 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.).
  
  

References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G12

Preferred Experience: Three years of recent experience treating patients with pelvic health conditions, strong consideration for candidates with expertise/advanced certifications in Pelvic Rehabilitation. Experience, or willingness to gain skills/knowledge/training, in the delivery of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy of male patients. Leadership skills and growth mindset with a commitment to supporting the team, department, and system. High level of autonomy in advanced clinical decision making, system/process improvement, and program development skills and/or experience.

Physical Requirements: The work involves standing, stooping, lifting (frequently greater than 50 pounds), sitting, pulling, assisting patients in transferring from various devices (bed, W/C, floor, motorized vehicles, mats etc.). Additionally, moving patient and supplies and pushing patient in their manual or motorized W/C's. Additionally, the PT is required to work at a computer workstation to complete his/her documentation of incidents involving a patient and the progress in the patient's overall PT Program.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

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

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

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

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.

If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

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• Help Help A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  
  

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

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.

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Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• 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
• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript
  
  

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• 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
• PCS Orders
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript
  
  

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Health Care Provider

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