The Supervisory Physical Therapist Orthopedic Clinical Specialist serves as subject matter expert in Orthopedic Physical Therapy and is responsible for the supervision, administrative management, and direction of the orthopedic physical therapy program to include all outpatient physical, primary care and integrative musculoskeletal clinics within the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services staff servicing the Lexington, KY VA Health Care System .

Duties

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until December 29, 2023. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be September 1st, 2023, with subsequent cut-off dates every two weeks. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled. This position serves as a Supervisory Physical Therapist, Orthopedic Clinical Specialist, in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service at the Lexington VA Health Care System, Lexington, KY. The Medical Center is classified as a Level 1B Complexity, indicative of large levels of volume, patient risk, teaching, and research. The incumbent Supervisory Physical Therapist is assigned responsibility for serving as the subject matter expert in Orthopedic Physical Therapy. The Supervisory Physical Therapist Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (SPT/OCS) who works at this level provides assessment and treatment intervention on an independent basis across the continuum of care and services provided by PM&RS.The Supervisory Physical Therapist Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (SPT/OCS) has advanced knowledge of contemporary Physical Therapy across multiple areas of practice and the demonstrated ability to apply this advanced knowledge to provide clinical guidance to Staff Physical Therapists, Physical Therapy Assistants, PT students, and other healthcare providers. Clinical - The Supervisory Physical Therapist/Orthopedic Clinical specialist (SPT/OCS) is responsible for independently providing assessment and treatment interventions to inpatients and outpatients received through healthcare providers and patient self-referrals. The incumbent establishes a diagnosis within the scope of physical therapy. Incumbent formulates a treatment plan and goals and is responsible for implementation, modification, and documentation of treatment. Incumbent exhibits complex clinical skills. - The SPT/OCS recognizes the appropriateness of responses to treatment based on indications, precautions, and contraindications. Recognizes when to refer conditions outside the scope of physical therapy practice to the appropriate provider. - The SPT/OCS demonstrates skill in utilizing appropriate screening and evaluation techniques required to appropriately provide and direct patient care. The SPT/OCS demonstrates the knowledge of clinical signs and symptoms to make appropriate referrals for further medical attention/assessment as indicated. - The incumbent manages his/her caseload with concern for the complexity of treatment required. The SPT/OCS performs as an autonomous practitioner with administrative oversight through the Chief of Musculoskeletal Rehab. - Incumbent maintains timely data input utilizing care plans, initial assessments, and/or specialty protocols as part of an ongoing process in coordination with other key interdisciplinary staff to provide effective patient care. - The SPT/OCS serves as a mentor to other therapists/students in the evaluation and treatment in the areas of orthopedics and manual therapy. - The incumbent establishes and maintains contact with other key staff involved in patient care via written, telephone, and personal communication on a regular basis.- Incumbent exercises initiative, discretion, adaptability, and sound professional judgment. - Incumbent functions as a clinical preceptor for affiliating technical and professional level students in conjunction with the Coordinator for Clinical Education. Incumbent serves as mentor for volunteer or observation students. Incumbent provides clinical oversight of Physical Therapy Assistants Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible:Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 30236-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 (Supervisory). (a) Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. Examples of specialized experience include: perform examinations and evaluations of individuals who have or may develop impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions related to conditions of the musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and/or integumentary systems while considering the effects attributable to unique personal and environmental factors. PTs interpret findings from examination, diagnostic studies/medical tests and, during evaluation, select appropriate clinical tests and measures, and then integrate findings into the physical therapy plan of care for the full range of patient populations. PTs establish a diagnosis within the scope of physical therapy and identify the appropriate intervention to treat and/or refer to another provider for further consultation when needed. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 1. Knowledge of contemporary physical therapy across multiple areas of practice, and the demonstrated ability to apply this knowledge to provide clinical guidance to Staff PTs within the department. 2. Knowledge of human resources administration, including such functions as the ability to interview and select qualified applicants, monitor and evaluate performance, and maintain effective labor management relations within scope of responsibility. 3. Ability to effectively supervise, direct, and manage a diverse physical therapy staff. 4. Skill in forging positive interpersonal relationships and conflict resolution. 5. Ability to analyze clinically appropriate data effectively to optimize quality, performance, and productivity within the section. 6. Ability to set priorities, delegate tasks, and solve problems in order to meet multiple deadlines and identify/address organizational problems. 7. Ability to manage advocacy roles and planning activities within the VA and the greater rehabilitation community. (c) Assignment. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Supervisory PTs are responsible for the supervision, administrative management, and direction of the physical therapy program in a rehabilitation service or equivalent service-level department which consists of three or more PTs or other multi-discipline staff. The incumbent provides supervision of key clinical and training programs, including the overall technical oversight of the staff that He/she administratively supervise. Supervisors are responsible for the development and implementation of policies and procedures to address focused clinical needs and the overall services delivered and provided within the section. Preferred Experience: 2 years orthopedic experience. References: VA Handbook 5005/99 Part II, APPENDIX G12. PHYSICAL THERAPIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD GS-0633. FEBRUARY 7, 2018. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: The incumbent of the position will meet and maintain physical and drug test program requirements for the position as required. Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over, moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds, straight pulling, pulling hand over hand, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking, standing, repeated bending, both legs required, ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing (aid permitted), far vision correctable in one eye to 20/50 and to 20/100 in the other, emotional and mental stability.

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 Lexington VA Health Care System 2250 Leestown Road Lexington, KY 40511 US
• Name: Sherrie Taylor
• Phone: 502-910-5327
• Email: [email protected]