Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application.

Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Applicants pending 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 the authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 74 to serve in a direct patient‑care capacity in Veterans Health Administration (VHA) must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Education and Experience:
  
  The individual must meet at least one of the following:
  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.
• 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) a.org.
• Foreign Graduates:
  Graduates of foreign physical therapy programs meet the Education and Experience 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.
• Licensure:
  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.
• Creditable
  
  Experience:
  
  Knowledge of Contemporary Professional Physical Therapy Practice. To be creditable, a candidate must have demonstrated possession of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with the scope of physical therapy practice. The candidate's experience may be evidenced by: (a) Active professional practice (paid or non‑paid employment as a professional PT defined by APTA or the appropriate licensing board); or (b) Completion of a post‑graduate fellowship or residency program which may substitute for creditable experience on a year‑for‑year basis.
  
  Experience must be post‑degree, directly related to duties, and at a level comparable to or exceeding the next lower grade level. Grandfathering provisions apply to existing VHA employees as described.
• Grade Determinations: GS‑13 Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist). One year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS‑12 grade level and, where applicable, 2,000 hours of clinical practice in the specialty area or board certification, fellowship, or advanced degree. Skills demonstrate advanced knowledge and expert skill in specialized interventions, consultation, teaching, mentoring, and team leadership.

• Provide assessment and treatment intervention on an independent basis across the continuum of care.
• Collaborate with the pain medicine team under the Pain Management–Opioid Safety–and Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PMOP).
• Serve as the subject matter expert for persistent/chronic pain physical therapy and provide consultation to peers and other staff in evaluating and treating patients with pain conditions.
• Offer professional clinical services, education and training activities, clinical consultation, supervision, and administration as required.
• Demonstr…