The Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service is seeking a full-time Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist) for the VA Medical Center in Birmingham Alabama. This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment.

Duties

The Neurological Clinical Specialist Physical Therapist (NCS) is responsible for serving as the subject matter expert for Neurologic Physical Therapy and consultant to physical therapy and other medical center staff in evaluating and treating patients with Neurologic conditions. The NCS provides evaluation and treatment for veterans with acute and chronic neurologic conditions and is responsible for administering PT to adult and geriatric patients in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. The duties include but are not limited to: The NCS spends at least 50% of their time working within the area of Neurologic Physical Therapy. Responsible for serving as the subject matter expert for Neurologic Physical Therapy and consultant to physical therapy and other medical center staff in evaluating and treating patients with neurologic conditions. Provides in-service and clinical training programs as assigned by the Supervisor of the Physical Therapy Department or Rehab Coordinator. Designs, conducts, and evaluates education, experiences within specialty content area for staff members, taking an active role in literature searches, and seeks educational opportunities to enhance the Physical Therapy Department, PMRS, and the Medical Center. Establishes and maintains contact with other key staff involved in patient care via written, telephone, and personal communication on a regular basis at the Medical Center. Develops and provides timely reports to the Supervisor, Physical Therapy Department or Rehab Coordinator. 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. Represents the Physical Therapy Department and PMRS at various clinical and administrative meetings/rounds at the discretion of the Rehab Coordinator or Service Chief The NCS has advanced knowledge and demonstrates expert clinical practice skills in providing assessment and treatment interventions across the continuum of care. Utilizes advanced knowledge and expertise to establish and modify treatment plans and to identify therapeutic activity interventions based on the changing need, goals, and performance of patients. Exercises expert professional judgement to establish appropriate discharge planning recommendations to ensure safe discharge from inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation programs. Reviews and interprets Physicians orders for accuracy and appropriateness. Reviews patient medical records and contacts physicians to make authorized changes required. Conducts comprehensive patient examinations to identify rehabilitation problems and establish treatment goals. The NCS interprets findings from examination, diagnostic studies/medical tests and during evaluation, selects appropriate clinical test and measures, and then integrates findings into the physical therapy plan of care for the full range of patient populations. Performs examination, treatment planning and intervention, and documentation as needed for support personnel. The NCS is capable of working with patients from a wide range of ages and backgrounds. Demonstrates and maintains full competency in the use, pre-cleaning and/or reprocessing of reusable medical equipment. Must ensure that the appropriate Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and manufacturer's instructions are followed for any step in the use of RME (pre-cleaning, reprocessing, disinfection, sterilization, maintenance) in which the employee is involved. Serves as a clinical instructor physical therapy and physical therapy assistant students. Work Schedule: 7am-3:30pm, Monday - Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: FS 54616 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more 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: (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. 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 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: 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 and five years; or 2. Board Certification in the specialty area recognized by the ABPTS; or 3. Completion of a fellowship program; or4. An additional advanced degree in a related field. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the all following KSAs. 1. Advanced knowledge and expert skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in a specialized treatment area of physical therapy. 2. 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). 3. Ability to teach and mentor medical center staff in a specialized content area of physical therapy. 4. Ability to guide the work of a multi-disciplinary team in a specialized content area of physical therapy. 5. Advanced knowledge and expert skill to perform and interpret specialized procedures and tests in evaluating the treatment outcomes in the assigned specialty content area Assignment. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and variety. Clinical Specialists spend at least 25% or greater of their time working with specialized population(s) within their department. Physical therapists at this level perform assignments in specialty areas such as geriatrics, neurology, cardiopulmonary, orthopedics, spinal cord injury, amputee, wound care, chronic pain, electromyography, women's health or pelvic health, polytrauma, brain injury, lymphedema, vestibular, assistive technology, seating and mobility. The individual is assigned responsibility for serving as the subject matter expert in the content specialty area and as a consultant to physical therapy and other medical center staff in evaluating and treating patients in the specialty area. Clinical Specialists have advanced knowledge and demonstrate expert clinical practice skills in providing assessment and treatment interventions across the continuum of care. He/she 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. Clinical Specialists have advanced training in specialized technology related to their area of practice. He/she establishes and maintains contact with other health care providers involved in patient care via written, telephone, and personal communication on a regular basis. He/she exercises expert professional judgment to establish appropriate discharge planning recommendations to ensure safe discharge from inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation programs. If the medical center has a PT residency program, the clinical specialist may be on faculty for the program. Preferred Experience: APTA specialty in neurological rehab References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/99 PART II APPENDIX G12 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; heavy carrying, 45 pounds and over; straight pulling (4 hours); pushing (4 hours); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking (6 hours); standing (6 hours); kneeling (5 hours); repeated bending (5 hours); climbing, use of legs and arms; both legs required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; good visual requirement; hearing (aid permitted); mental and emotional 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 Birmingham VA Medical Center 700 South 19th Street Birmingham, AL 35233 US
• Name: Kara Wanner
• Email: [email protected]