This Physical Therapist - Clinical Specialist, Chronic Pain position is in the Pain Clinic within the Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, located in Nashville, TN.

Duties

The Physical Therapist's primary function is direct patient care. Incumbent demonstrates advanced application of knowledge, skills and abilities associated with current professional physical therapy practice. He/she will demonstrate the ability to independently plan, develop, and implement comprehensive, complex treatment programs for individual patients or groups of patients to relive pain, restore or enhance performance, and maximize ability to function as independently as possible. He/she must consistently work within an interdisciplinary team of physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, psychologists, physical and occupational therapist, recreational therapist, and others involved in the care of patients with chronic pain. Performs appropriate assessments, evaluations, and treatments, involved in the prevention of physical disability, movement dysfunction, and pain resulting from injury, disease, and disability, or other health-related conditions. Performs tests and measurements of muscles, nerves, range of motion, posture, strength, ambulation, circulatory and respiratory status using various mechanical and electrical means. He/she performs and interprets results of tests and measurement of the patient's condition for use in preparing a treatment plan, modifying treatment, and evaluating results of treatment. Additional functions include the interpenetration of tests and measurements to assess normal parameters of physiological functions as well as pathophysiologist, pathomechanical, electrophysiological, ergonomic, and developmental deficits of bodily systems to determine diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and prevention. Responsible for the care and treatment of patients referred to the Pain Clinic of the Tennessee Valley Healthcare System and will spend greater than 50% of his/her time working in the specialty area of Chronic Pain. As a clinical specialist in the Chronic Pain Clinic, the incumbent serves as a consultant and subject matter expert in the treatment of persistent pain within the department, VA network, PT profession and in the community at large. This knowledge has been acquired through experience in the evaluation and treatment of patients with pain and routine to complex musculoskeletal conditions. Involves the patient, family/significant other and medical team in treatment planning and goal setting through ongoing communication. Continues to maintain and learn advanced skills in the area of evaluation and treatment of complex orthopedic and persistent pain conditions by attending continuing education courses and training when applicable. Incumbent will pursue applicable certifications pertinent to the evaluation, treatment and educations surrounding persistent complex pain conditions. Incumbent will be familiar with current clinical practice guidelines and best evidence for the treatment of pain and musculoskeletal conditions. Demonstrates independent problem-solving skills that allow for frequent modification of treatment plans in response to subtle, but significant changes in the condition of the patient. Assesses for and requests prosthetic/orthotic equipment as needed and can make modifications as necessary. Provides appropriate complementary and alternative therapies such as Tai Chi, Yoga, Reiki, Dry Needling, and Biofeedback. Assists in the scheduling of patients according to the physical therapy treatment plan while coordinating with the treatment plans of other disciplines within the team and facility. Maintains consistent and timely documentation of patient encounters in the electronic medical record in accordance with accepted Practice, facility and Rehabilitation Service policies and procedures. Participates in regular team meetings, verbal and written communication and consultation amongst team members to guide and evaluate the work of the multi-disciplinary Chronic Pain Clinic. Collaboration with the team is necessary to develop a cohesive treatment plan for this complex patient population. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday with hours to be discussed at the time of the interview Compressed/Flexible:Not eligible Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): 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: Candidates must be a citizen of the United States. 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. Education and experience. The individual must meet at least one of the requirements below: Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. OR Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. OR 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. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for appointment, the following grade determination must be met for the GS-13 Physical Therapist: 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 all following 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. 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. 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). References:VA Handbook 5005/99 Part II Appendix G12 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13 Physical Requirements: Pre-placement and periodic physical examinations are required for hybrid occupations to ensure workers are placed in positions where they can perform the essential functions of their job considering their physical, mental, and emotional capacities, without endangering their health or the health of their co-workers. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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 Tennessee Valley HCS - Nashville 1310 24th Avenue South Nashville, TN 37212 US
• Name: Adrianne Caldwell
• Email: [email protected]