This position is located within the Rehabilitation Department within Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) of VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System in Pittsburgh, PA. This physical therapist Clinical Specialist provides complex lymphedema and/or wound assessments and functions as a Physical Therapist in a perpetual float status with planned and spontaneous assignments across all rehab areas within the VAPHS catchment area, Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOCs).

Duties

Major Duties may include: Coordination of the scheduling, evaluating, and treating, edema/wound care patients within VAPHS and Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs). Performing physical therapy evaluations and treatments for patients in the locations of inpatient, outpatient, telehealth, and homecare as deemed necessary and as assigned on a rotational basis with other staff therapists and specialists. Independently providing clinical oversight of Physical Therapy Assistants as well as students on clinical affiliations who are in Doctoral PT Programs or PTA Programs. Specializing in lymphedema and wound care, independently conducting treatment of patients with complex diagnoses related to the field of work. Knowing Pennsylvania state practice guidelines governing the performance of the procedure functions within this regulation. Seeking out educational opportunities to maintain current clinical knowledge and/or applicable certifications and competencies related to complex edema and wound care. Completing electronic patient progress notes. Completing appropriately timed re-evaluations and modifying goals. Assessing the need for home equipment and orders or devises the necessary equipment. Conducting education for patients and family members in home exercise programs, transfer techniques and efficient care for the patient. Participating in multidisciplinary rounds, giving input as necessary to help the health care team make appropriate discharge plans. Effectively communicating orally and in writing as well as via Tele-health. Working effectively with treatment team and other staff in coordinating patient's total care. Overseeing therapy assistants, aides, and volunteers assigned to the section. Documenting the evaluations, treatment plans and response to treatment in compliance with Rehabilitation Section policies, procedures, VA directives, and handbooks. Completing accurate billing and coding per policy. Involving the patient's family or significant other in decision making related to the patient's plan of care when appropriate. Selecting and training the veteran on appropriate durable medical equipment, assistive devices, and/or compression garments when needed. Actively contributing to the maintenance of a safe, therapeutic environment in all clinical areas assigned. Completing Functional Independence Measures as appropriate per assigned clinical setting. Work Schedule: 8:00am to 4:30pm, weekends and holidays on rotational basis. Telework: AD Hoc as per Supervisor Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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. 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. Basic Education and Experience: The Educational Requirements for employment as a VHA Physical Therapist are prescribed by Public Law 96-151 codified in 38 U.S.C. 7402. To meet this requirement, you must have obtained 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. NOTE: 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. If you a graduate of a foreign physical therapy program NOTE: Graduates of foreign physical therapy programs meet the requirements if they have a full unrestricted and current license to practice physical therapy in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. The Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT) is a non-profit organization created to assist the United States (U.S.) Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly INS) and U.S. state licensing authorities by evaluating the credentials of Foreign Educated Physical Therapists (FEPTs) who wish to immigrate and work in the U.S. Basic Requirements - Licensure: To meet the basic Licensure requirement for this position, Individuals must 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. NOTE. Individuals who have or have had multiple licenses and had any such license revoked for professional misconduct, professional incompetency, or substandard care, or who surrendered such license after receiving written notice of potential termination of such license by the state for professional misconduct, professional incompetence, or substandard care, are not eligible for appointment to the position unless such revoked or surrendered license is fully restored (38 U.S.C 7402(f)). Effective November 30, 1999, this is a requirement for employment. This requirement does not apply to licensed physical therapists on VA rolls as of November 30, 1999, provided the individual maintains a continuous appointment and is not disqualified for employment by any subsequent revocations or voluntary surrenders of State license, registration, or certification. Loss of Credential. A PT who fails to maintain the required license must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment. At the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may be reassigned to another occupation, if qualified, and if a placement opportunity exists. Grade Determinations: Grade Requirement, Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements you must have one (1) year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level which includes experience such as: independently providing assessment and treatment interventions to inpatients and outpatients; performing 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; interpreting findings from examination, diagnostic studies/medical tests; evaluating and selecting appropriate clinical tests and measures while integrating findings into the physical therapy plan of care AND one (1) on the following: A. 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 B. Board Certification in the specialty area recognized by the ABPTS; OR C. Completion of a fellowship program; OR D. An additional advanced degree in a related field. Grade Requirement, Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition meeting the experience above, you must demonstrate that you meet all of 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. 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). Preferred Experience in the following areas: Specialized skills in assessment, planning, and treatment to provide complex therapeutic interventions to patients with lymphatic and integumentary systems related to lymphedema and associated healing and vascular wounds. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/99 PART II APPENDIX G12 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is the GS-13. Physical Requirements: Standing, walking, squatting, bending, and sitting, and changing from one position to the other as frequently as 5 hours throughout the day. Sitting at a desk and using upper extremities to reach, grasp and place papers, charts, computers, phones, and reference materials. Many of the patients are bariatric. Incumbent must employ safe lifting techniques including the use of mechanical devices and avoid awkward postures while working with the veterans. Reaching, lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling: 1 - 10 pounds constantly, 10 - 25 frequently, and 20 - 35 pounds occasionally. Specific examples include: Picking up, carrying, and placing folders, charts, books, and binders. Setting up equipment for patients such as weights or durable medical equipment. Lifting and carrying adaptive equipment ranging in weight from negligible to 35 pounds. Pushing and rolling equipment such as walkers, wheelchairs, and supply carts. Assisting patients in mobility such as ambulation and transfers, from minimal assistance to dependent transfers. Defending oneself from a confused, combative, or otherwise aggressive patient. Performing passive range of motion exercises that require the movement of patients' extremities in all planes of motion. Repositioning and transferring patients with manual and mechanical assistance. Operating all aspects of a computer & telecommunication- keyboard, mouse, control buttons, faxes, and telephones. Demonstrating the use of all aspects of adaptive equipment for patient teaching. Assembling equipment with the use of hand tools such as screwdrivers and pliers.

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 Pittsburgh VA Medical Center 1010 Delafield Road Pittsburgh, PA 15215 US
• Name: Carletta Sligh
• Phone: (412) 822-2185
• Email: [email protected]