Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist) for the VA Boston Healthcare Systems. This full-time role involves providing advanced care in pelvic health physical therapy, requiring significant clinical experience and independence in decision-making. Candidates should possess a doctorate degree, with robust experience in specialized physical therapy treatments.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2,000 hours of clinical practice in specialty area.
• Board Certification in recognized specialty or completion of fellowship.
• Ability to independently evaluate and treat patients.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment of patients.
• Demonstrate independence with clinical decisions in Direct Access environment.
• Work across multiple VA Boston sites.

Skills

Autonomy

Clinical Decision Making

Pelvic Health Expertise

Education

Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy

Master's degree in Physical Therapy

Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy

Job description

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.


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
Fi nancial Disclosure Report: Not required

NOTIFICATIONS:

Requirements

• 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.
(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.

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)
(a) 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:
1. 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
2. Board Certification in the specialty area recognized by the ABPTS; or
3. Completion of a fellowship program; or
4. An additional advanced degree in a related field. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the all following KSAs.

(b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
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 (see paragraph 2i).
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 (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.