Physical Therapist (Clinical Innovation Specialist)

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: Physical Therapists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d). Education and Experience: Physical Therapists must meet one of the education/experience 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. Foreign Graduates- Graduates of foreign physical therapy programs meet the requirements in subparagraph 3b 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. License: 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. 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. 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: In addition to the basic requirements above, you must also meet one of the following grade requirements for a specific grade level. GS-13: Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist) Experience: One year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. 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 the all 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 (see paragraph 2i). 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 (see Definitions, paragraph 2. i.). 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: Experience in administration is preferred. Experience with development and/or administration of programs for, or provision of, innovation and/or assistive technology to persons with disabilities, their families, and service providers. Knowledge, experience and understanding of the innovation theories and applications, VHA innovation, and rehabilitation program policies, practices and procedures. Experience with and ability to work independently with little supervisory oversite when interfacing with National Program offices and external partners. 5 plus years experience in a VA Healthcare System. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G12 dated February 7, 2018.
The position is located in the Innovation Service of the Central Virginia VA Health Care System in Richmond, VA. This position serves as the Clinical Innovation Specialist responsible for leading, coordinating, facilitating, and providing ongoing support to the Innovation Program of the Central Virginia VA Health Care System (CVHCS), VHA Innovators Network, and VHA National Center for Innovation to Impact on the CVHCS campus.