The Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist-Wound Care) position provides evaluation and treatment that promotes the prevention, remediation, and education of acute or chronic wounds and is responsible for administering physical therapy to adult and geriatric patients in the specialty area of Wound Care. This position will also provide physical therapy within Neurology and Rehabilitation Services and evaluate, educate and provide treatment with acute or outpatient Veterans.

Duties

The level of responsibility for the Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist-Wound Care) in the Physical Therapy program is with complete independence and is responsible for maintaining high professional standards. The Physical Therapist displays courtesy, civility and constructive behavior, and expresses empathy for the legitimate needs and concerns of others. The Physical Therapist will meet the needs of customers while supporting the VA missions. Duties include but are not limited to: Wound Care Clinical Specialists have advanced knowledge and demonstrate expert clinical practice skills in providing assessment and treatment interventions across the continuum of care. Carries out the full range of treatment where therapeutic objectives are complex, and treatment involved requires the application of highly specialized skills and knowledge, particularly as related to chronic pain patients. Utilizes advanced knowledge and expertise to modify treatment plans and to identify therapeutic activity interventions based on the changing needs, goals, and performance of patients. Coordinate and employ multiple treatment approaches simultaneously to accomplish complex treatment objectives. Possess advanced training in specialized treatments related to their area of practice and demonstrates expertise in assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating treatment programs for geriatric adult and adult patients with chronic conditions. Completes evaluation and treatment in a timely fashion; conduct chart reviews to allow the incumbent an opportunity to assess appropriateness of the referral and possible contraindications for treatment. Assesses for appropriate orthotic devices used in joint protection and/or offloading for wound management; orders devices; fits and trains on use. Utilizes evaluation data to plan and implement comprehensive patient treatment programs, immediately involving the patient in the goal setting and treatment processes as feasible. Demonstrates a full professional and current understanding of the theories of physical therapy treatment and their proper application, particularly those specialized techniques related to orthopedic management. Involves the patient, family, significant others, and pertinent health care staff in the treatment process by ongoing communication through demonstration, instruction, team conferences, and chart documentation as appropriate to each patient's treatment goals. Assesses patient's learning needs, and plans and implements appropriate patient education programs, involving the patient, family, and significant others in the instructional process. Demonstrates advanced knowledge and expert skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in a specialized treatment area of physical therapy; has the ability to serve as a subject matter expert for health care providers regarding the delivery of care within physical therapy; possess the ability to teach and mentor medical center staff in a specialized area of orthopedic management in physical therapy. Monitors program operations for quality issues considering access to care, cost effective operations and a safe and healthy environment to promote maximum patient and staff welfare. Maintains records of all services provided using CPT codes/event capture and current methodology to prepare reports as require by the Service. Submits requests of supplies and equipment following service policies and procedures; reports noted deficiencies in service delivery, safety and security. Participates in drills and practices infection control precautions. Participates in information and outcomes management activities such as, but not limited to: surveys, performance improvement and strategic plan development. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 57575-O Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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: (1) Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a Physical Therapist; OR (2) Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a Physical Therapist; OR (3) Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy Licensure: 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 Physical Therapists (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 for GS-13 Grade Level: Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, one (1) 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 (2) and five (5) 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 Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience, the candidate must demonstrate all 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 (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.). Preferred Experience: Must possess a Clinical Certification and experience in Wound Care. References: VA Handbook 5005/99, 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: The OKC VA HCS has a no-lift policy. There are lifts available throughout the hospital/CBOC if heavy lifting is required. Frequent lifting up to 35 pounds with frequent bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, overhead reaching and getting up and down from the floor may be required during the performance of this therapy position.

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.

Contacts

• Address Oklahoma City VA Health Care System 921 Northeast 13th Street Oklahoma City, OK 73104 US
• Name: Chantel Moss
• Phone: 334-239-9344
• Email: [email protected]