Physical Therapist (Pelvic Rehabilitation 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: To qualify for appointment to this position, all applicants must possess the following:


Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).


English Language Proficiency. Occupational Therapist candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).


Education and/or Experience. The individual must meet at least one of the following requirements below:

1. Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. OR
2. Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. OR
3. 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. 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.


Foreign Graduates. Graduates of foreign physical therapy programs meet the requirements 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-Submit Documentation:. 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.


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.


Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series that are also performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of this occupation.


To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.


Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist) GS-13

Education, Experience, and Licensure. Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level and directly related to the position being filled and one of the following:

• A minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice directly in the advanced practice area (pelvic health). This time must be within the past five years; or
• Board Certification in the specialty area (pelvic health) - supply documentation - recognized by the ABPTS; or
• Completion of a fellowship program; or
• An additional advanced degree in a related field.

Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

• Advanced knowledge and expert skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in pelvic health treatment of physical therapy.
• Ability to serve as a consultant and subject matter expert for health care providers regarding the delivery of care within pelvic health rehabilitation.
• Ability to teach and mentor medical center staff in pelvic health.
• Ability to guide the work of a multi-disciplinary team in pelvic health.
• Advanced knowledge and expert skill to perform and interpret specialized procedures and tests in evaluating the treatment outcomes in the assigned pelvic health physical therapy 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: Prefer 2-3 years experience in pelvic health and be certified in Pelvic Rehabilitation.


Reference: VA Handbook 5005/99


The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 to GS-13.


Physical Requirements: The work involves sitting, standing, walking, bending, stooping and reaching. Lifting and carrying of occasional moderately heavy objects, such as assistive devices occurs regularly. Must be able to lift objects up to 45 pounds. Periods of time may be moderately demanding, to include assisting veterans with impaired mobility and/or cognitive functioning. Intermittent complicated issues with veterans and/or family members may periodically become stressful. Extended periods of computer processing duties. Employee must be able to work under the pressure of emergent conditions and tight deadlines. Work is performed in a clinical setting that exposes the incumbent to the communicable diseases common to veteran population.