Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist)

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:

• Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens.
• Education: Graduate of a degree program in Physical Therapy from a college or university accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) with a
  • Baccalaureate degree or higher in Physical Therapy
  • Certificate in Physical Therapy with a Baccalaureate degree or higher in a related fiel
  • Current LANA certification in good standing
• Assignment: Employees at this level serve as LANA certified Lymphedema Physical Therapy Specialist in a specialty content area within a Complexity Level 1a facility.
• Licensure: Current, full, active, and unrestricted license to practice Physical Therapy in a state, territory, or commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia.
• English Language Proficiency: Spoken and written English language proficiency in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3j.

Grade Determinations

GS- 13 Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist)

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:

• 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.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

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.


References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G13, "Physical Therapist Qualification Standard"

Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over, use of fingers, both hands required, reaching above shoulder, Walking (8 hours), Standing (8 hours), Both legs required (1 prosthetic), Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, Ability to distinguish basic colors, Ability to distinguish shades of colors, Hearing (Aid permitted), and Mental and emotional stability.