Physical Therapist Clinical Specialist (Orthopedic Clinical Specialist)

Summary This Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist) position is located in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service which is part of the Chicago, IL VA Medical Center.

This reimbursable detail assignment is for a period of one year. Applicants must be current permanent Federal Employees of the Jesse Brown VA.

The detail may be extended. Applicants should receive the approval of their supervisor before applying. Responsibilities The incumbent will allow direct Veteran access and serve as first line assessment, triaging, and coordination of care for Veterans presenting to Primary Care clinic with musculoskeletal complaints.

Clinical specialist abilities and skills are necessary for treating patients having orthopedic, neuromuscular, and mobility conditions.

Incumbent demonstrates advanced knowledge and expert skill to perform and interpret specialized procedures and tests in the routine to complex patient population (e.

g. comprehensive multisystem assessments beyond the musculoskeletal system including urogenital, cardiopulmonary, integument, neurologic, lymphatic, pain and function) as well as advanced ability to incorporate relevant findings from laboratory tests, pulmonary function tests, imaging and other medical tests in the comprehensive management of physical therapy services within musculoskeletal care in a PACT setting.

VA Careers - Physical Therapy : Work Schedule : Monday - Friday 9 : 00am - 5 : 30pm Telework : Not available Virtual : This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement # : 000000 Relocation / Recruitment Incentives : Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS) : Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report : Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.

S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.

Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12 / 31 / 1959.

Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background / security investigation.

Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination.

Training-Service Agreement and Mobility Agreement required. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications Applicants must met all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Basic Requirements : The following are the basic requirements and qualifications for appointment as a Physical Therapist in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).

English Language Proficiency Requirement - Per VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3j : No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.

S.C., chapter 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English.

Education Requirement - 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.

NOTE : Individuals must be a graduate of a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredited college or university.

Transcripts Required 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.

Copy of Licensure Required. Grade Determination : In addition to the basic requirements as stated above, the following criteria must be met for appointment at the GS-12 grade level.

GS-13 Grade level - Education, Experience and Licensure : In addition to the basic requirements, one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level and one of the following : Evidence of minimum of 2,000 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 related field. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSA's.

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.

References : VA Handbook 5005 / 99, Part II, Appendix G12, Physical Therapist Qualification Standards, dated 2 / 7 / 2018.

Physical Requirements : See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services. 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 : 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 : Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave : Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee.

Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience.

This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.

e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date.

The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.