Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 109,000 - 142,000; Full time

Job summary

Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist) at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Saint Louis, MO seeks an experienced clinician to provide Orthopedic PT across inpatient, outpatient and acute care settings.

The role emphasizes consultation, education of staff, and development of evidence-based protocols within Rehabilitation Services. The incumbent will mentor staff, serve as SME for orthopedic modalities, and coordinate with regional universities while delivering patient-centered evaluations

Responsibilities

• Serves as a consultant for all health care providers regarding Orthopedic Physical Therapy and rehabilitation.
• Educates/orients students, nurses, and other clinical staff regarding PT in general and Orthopedic management.
• Mentors therapy staff.
• Reviews and updates Orthopedic protocols, policy, and program at the VASTLHCS.
• Provides evaluations and treatments aligned with current guidelines and evidence-based practice.
• Plans, implements, and reports on performance improvement activities related to Physical Therapy services.
• Acts as SME for Orthopedic modalities and equipment and collaborates with universities in Orthopedic PT rehabilitation.
• Performs complex PT evaluations and treatments for adults aged 20-85+ years.
• Plans and carries out specialized interventions and treatment modalities in Orthopedic PT.
• Maintains documentation in the electronic medical record per PT policies.
• Attends in-services and provides guidance to PT students and trainees.
• Oversees day-to-day operation of the clinic area and compiles statistics and QA findings.
• Participates in QA projects, peer review, and program development for Orthopedic PT.
• Maintains supplies and equipment and ensures safety policies are followed.
• Schedules patients, coordinates with other disciplines, and maintains flexible scheduling.
• Attends IDT as an active PT member of the Orthopedic team.

Job description

Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist)

• Department: Department of Veterans Affairs
• Location: Saint Louis, Missouri
• Schedule: Position is Tuesday -Friday outpatient and Saturday works acute care

The GS-13 Physical Therapist is assigned to provide professional Physical Therapy services to any/all program areas that are covered by the Rehabilitation Services, including acute care, rehabilitation, long term care, home care, inpatient and outpatient settings. Incumbent is a treatment specialist in Orthopedic Rehabilitation

Key Responsibilities

Serves as a consultant for all health care providers regarding Orthopedic Physical Therapy and rehabilitation. Educates/orients students, nurses, and other clinical staff regarding PT in general and specifically, as it relates to Orthopedic mgmt. Mentors therapy staff. Reviews and updates Orthopedic protocols, policy, and program at the VASTLHCS.

Provides evaluations and treatments that are in alignment with up-to-date clinical practice guidelines and treatment for Orthopedic care that are evidence based. Plans, implements, and reports on performance improvement activities related to Physical Therapy services. Serves as subject matter expert (SME) for Orthopedic modalities and equipment, as it relates to Orthopedic mgmt. Collaborates with local, and regional universities, in the area of Orthopedic PT rehabilitation.

Performs complex Physical therapy evaluation and treatment for male and female patients aged 20-85+ years old. Utilizes standardized, and non-standardized assessments, and compiles overall Occupational Health Information, concerning patient's social, physical, psychological and vocation status to determine a patient-centric treatment plan, based on current PT theory, research and practice.

Plans and carries out the full range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities where therapeutic objectives are complex, and procedures involved require the application of specialized skills and knowledge in the area of Orthopedic . PT. Adapts and applies treatment procedures with critical concern for patients who are acutely ill, or who have a combination of severe mental/emotional or physical disabilities.

Treatment will be provided on the ward, in the facility and in the community as appropriate for the patient's needs. These skills and interventions will be based on current occupational therapy theory, research, and practice. Assesses for and requests prosthetic/orthotic equipment as needed and can make modifications as necessary.

Makes recommendations and referral to other medical specialties/services as needs are identified during ongoing assessment of this complex patient population. Assists in the scheduling of patients according to the occupational therapy treatment plan while coordinating with the treatment plans of other disciplines within the team and facility. Maintains a flexibility of schedule to allow for unscheduled patients, patient/team consultation and mentoring.

Maintains consistent and timely documentation of patient encounters in the electronic medical record in accordance with accepted PT practice, facility and Rehabilitation Service policies and procedures. Assists in the care of patients other than those of the specialized area Orthopedic rehab as caseload permits, or as the needs of the department dictate.

Maintains a workload and productivity consistent with the standards established by the Physical Therapy Section and the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service. Fosters an environment that supports hope, be committed to eliminating barriers to the recovery, utilize ICARE values in the recovery process.\ Develops and provides individualized clinical training experience for Physical Therapy students. Attends PM&RS in-services as well as hospital-wide in-services.

Attends and completes mandatory in-service training as required by VA, PM&R, and PT policies. Provides necessary guidance, direction, and supervision to occupational therapy students, volunteers, and/or CWT workers assigned to the PM&R clinic. Specialist that participates as a PT Residency Mentor or Coordinator will work with the PT Residency Director and PT Supervisor and are required to maintain VA and ABPTFRE guidelines.

Incumbent is responsible for over-seeing the day-to day operation of the clinic area to which assigned. Compiles and submits statistical data, reports and quality assurance findings to document program effectiveness, caseload, and attendance. Assists in the maintenance of the clinic and exhibits good safety practices following proper safety policies and procedures per VA, Joint Commission, CARF, OSHA, etc. for infection control, equipment etc.

Participates in quality assurance projects and completes reports as required on patient treatment. Participates in quarterly occupational therapy peer review process. Participates in or coordinates program development for special programs Aware of safety concerns, regulations, policies, and procedures, and employs appropriate safety practices. Attends/participates IDT, as an active PT member of the Orthopedic team.

Maintains adequate supplies, materials, and equipment for anticipated treatment needs, in line with budget. Work Schedule: Tuesday-Saturday rotating holidays - Saturday is Acute care Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Requirements & 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $109137 – $141880/yr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-11-16.

What is the work schedule?

This is a Position is Tuesday -Friday outpatient and Saturday works acute care position.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Competitive' hiring path.

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