Summary The Physical Therapist Clinical Specialist (PT/CS) in this position provides direct patient care and therapy services on an independent basis across the continuum of care to veterans at the VANTXHCS Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service. He/she is expected to carry out general duty assignments but primarily serves as subject matter expert in the content specialty area of Driver Training. He/she adheres to established policies, standards of care and standards of practice. Responsibilities The Physical Therapist in this position has responsibility for serving as the subject matter expert in a content specialty area of driver training and as a consultant to physical therapy and other medical center staff in evaluating and treating patients in this specialty area. This individual must demonstrate advance skills/competency and techniques in care of driver training patient population who have varying degrees of highly complex physical, functional and/or mental problems. This includes but is not limited to skills to perform and interpret specialized evaluative/assessment procedures and tests in the areas of driver training, one or more medical (physical and/or mental) impairments, severe spinal cord injury with high lesions, single or multiple amputations, stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI), Psychiatric disorders, cognition (Dementia/Alzheimer's), nutrition, comorbidities, psychological status, and social support. Duties include but not limited to: Conducts advanced comprehensive patient examinations to identify rehabilitation problems, establish treatment goals and develop the plan of care. Guided by differential diagnosis (screen for systemic diseases and medical conditions that can mimic neuromuscular and musculoskeletal problems) and movement diagnosis (examine and evaluate the movement system -including diagnosis and prognosis- to provide a customized and integrated plan of care to achieve the Driver Training patient individual's goal-directed outcomes); performs complex and advance examinations and evaluations of Driver Training individuals who have or may develop impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions related to conditions of the musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and/or integumentary systems while considering the effects attributable to unique personal and environmental factors. Assesses the physiological functioning of patients referred by a physician to the Driver Rehabilitation Program by means of personal interview, gross physical and cognitive screening processes (which include procedures in visual acuity, color perception, depth perception, and sign recognition; manual muscle testing, coordination, balance, and endurance; reaction time and measures of cortical involvement) as they relate to a person's ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. Instructs the patient to assume the optimum position for driving. This must be inclusive of transferring to and from the training vehicle, storage of wheelchair or ambulatory aid, body positioning for best balance, and ease of operation and security to the vehicle by means of appropriate restraining devices. Intervenes at various phases of patient's illness and/or rehabilitation and working with the patient and the patient's family in the adjustment process of the disability and the relearning process of operating a motorized vehicle which utilizes any variety of add-on adaptive equipment, depending on the severity and type of disability encountered, including assisting in the clarification of the patient's current training status and needs as well as counseling patient and family, when necessary, in equipment selection, procurement and installation, vehicle registration and licensing procedures, and insurance considerations. Designs and provides primary, secondary, or tertiary prevention programs, such as safety and fall prevention programs, to facilitate patient's optimal engagement in functional movement, activities performance and /or lifestyle. Takes in consideration principles of optimal aging across physiological systems (musculoskeletal, neuromotor, Driver Training and integumentary). Assist to receive and triage patient referrals/consults, patient self-referrals, from appropriate source and schedules patients for evaluation and treatment in a timely fashion. Schedules patients for treatment, considering priority and frequency of care and coordinating schedules with other members of the treatment team. Flexibility of schedule must be maintained to allow for unscheduled patients and for family conferences. Assists with coverage to other PM&R clinics as needed. Participates in interdisciplinary care meetings, ward(s) rounds, T JC /CARF and any other relevant activities. As a member of the treatment team, maintains a working relationship with medical and allied health care providers. The Physical Therapy clinical specialist in Driver Training serves as a mentor and consultant for patients, Physical therapy staff, and Medical Center Healthcare team members in the areas of Physical therapy and Driver Training rehabilitation. Other duties as needed. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm, Rotates to cover weekends and holidays as needed for patient care. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY 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. 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. Must be able to obtain and maintain a VHA issued Driver License to operate a government vehicle. Qualifications Basic Requirements: The basic requirements for employment as a VHA physical therapist are prescribed by Public Law 96-151 codified in 38 U.S.C. § 7402. To qualify for appointment, all applicants for the position of physical therapist in VHA must meet the following: Citizenship. Candidates must be a citizen of the United States. After a determination is made that it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens, necessary personnel may be appointed on a temporary basis under authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 without regard to the citizenship requirements of 38 U.S.C. 7402 or any other law prohibiting the employment of or payment of compensation to a person who is not a citizen of the United States. Candidates must meet all other requirements for the grade and position concerned. Education and experience. 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. Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. Doctorate degree in physical therapy. NOTE: Prior to 1995 the terminal degree for PT's was either a bachelors or master's degree. In 1995 CAPTE accredited all baccalaureate, master's, and Doctor of Physical Therapy terminal degree programs. Effective 2002, CAPTE changed its scope of accrediting activities of PT education programs to include only those programs that culminate in post-baccalaureate degrees(eliminating the baccalaureate degree). Effective 2015, professional physical therapy education programs have only offered the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree to all new students. 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. Verification of accredited programs may be obtained from the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) at www.apta.org. 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. The Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT) is a non-profit organization created to assist the United States (U.S.) Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly INS) and U.S. state licensing authorities by evaluating the credentials of Foreign Educated Physical Therapists (FEPTs) who wish to immigrate and work in the U.S. Although the licensing of physical therapists in the U.S. is a right and responsibility of each jurisdiction, foreign educated individuals must undergo an educational credentials assessment for substantial equivalency to the first professional degree in the US. The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) is committed to protect the public and to provide leadership within the field and practice of physical therapy. FSBPT's Foreign Educated Standards Committee has developed standards that represent "best practices" in evaluation services. The Credentials Evaluation Standards were developed with input from the physical therapy credentialing agencies that are licensed to use FSBPT's Coursework Tool. 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. Non-licensed PTs, who otherwise meet the basic requirements in this standard, may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate PT at the GS-11 grade level under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 (a)(1)(D) for a period not-to-exceed two years from the date of employment on the condition that such PT provide care only under the supervision of a PT who is licensed. Failure to obtain licensure during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment. English Language Proficiency. Individuals appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapter 73 or 74, to serve in direct patient-care capacity in VHA must be proficient in written and spoken English. 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 all of the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 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. Preferred Experience: Possess current Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist (CDRS) from ADED. 5 years continuous Driver training experience 3 years of CARF and JACHO accreditation knowledge, experience, and participation. Experience in designing specific driving routes, for the on-the-road phase of instruction, to conform to a lesson plan in an effort to ensure the safest and most effective means of teaching a specific driving task. Demonstrates the ability to identify and resolve interpersonal or professional conflicts when dealing with patients and members of the organization. Experience in selecting appropriate vehicle and add-on adaptive equipment best suited to the needs of the individual patient. References: VA Handbook 5005/99, Part II, Appendix G12, dated February 7, 2018 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. 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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Accreditation Information: 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) at www.apta.org. NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. NOTE: If your school was accredited by CAPTE at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the www.apta.org website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet. Interdisciplinary Position Kinesiotherapist - Driver Training Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist - Driver Training Clinical Specialist Additional Information Physical Requirements: Should have the ability to perform physical activities: typing, walking, standing, bending, kneeling, reaching, moderate to heavy lifting, carrying; and to be on feet most of the day. Should have the ability to perform repetitive physical activities: Up to 4-6 hours of the following: sitting, walking, standing, twisting, bending, stooping, reaching, reaching overhead, grasping and pinching with hands and fine manipulation, such as typing/keyboarding. Up to 1-2 hours of the following: straight pulling, puling hand over hand, pushing, climbing and kneeling. Required lifting light to moderate (up to 44 pounds) and carrying light to moderate (up to 44 pounds). Required functional hearing with/without hearing aids, near vision correctable at 13-16", Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, the ability to use both eyes, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors. Use of fingers, both hands and use of both legs. Sitting is required for meetings, administrative work and occasionally driving motor vehicle most of the day. The ability to drive is required. The position demands significant physical stress and strain such as transferring patients, crouching and crawling on mats, and occasionally defending self against combative patients assigned to the incumbent. Work may require good physical health, normal use of arms and legs and good visual and auditory acuity, to evaluate and treat patients, and to use computer, keyboard, monitor, phone, etc. May be exposed to infectious diseases, medical and psychiatric emergencies. Frequent /Occasional Travel The position may require travel for patient care to multiple VANTHCS duty stations and occasional travel away from duty stations to visit Veterans' home, for meetings, conferences and/or training at VA CBOC clinics and other PM&RS locations within VANTHCS. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. 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 an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.