Physical Therapy (Clinical Specialist)

This position is located in the Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) section of Primary Care Service within the Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (TVHS), which is classified as a complexity level 1A facility. The Physical Therapy Clinical Specialist is considered the subject matter expert and is responsible for the development of treatment programs for a very complex and wide patient population; often in dire environments; independently, separated from immediate clinical resources.

VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY Major duties for the position include (but are not limited to): Functions as the Physical Therapy on a multi-disciplinary team by communicating directly with team members such as Physician, RN, Nurse Practitioner, Social Worker, Dietitian, Psychologist, Pharmacist and any other disciplines involved with the patient's care. Works cohesively with team members to provide comprehensive treatment. Advises members of the multi-disciplinary team of the patient's physical therapy treatment plan, durable medical equipment (DME), home modification recommendations, recommendations for overcoming environmental obstacles, any noted inadequacy of caregivers, and provides longitudinal care planning information. Represents physical therapy in the development of policy and procedures, the development of QA monitors related to the HBPC patients, and the development of standards of care in compliance with accrediting and professional organizations relating to the care of HBPC patients. Provides independent evaluation for a wide variety of health issues to include poly-trauma patients with traumatic brain injury, cerebrovascular accidents, spinal cord injury, amputations, cardiopulmonary/circulatory disorders, orthopedic disorders, neurological disorders, musculoskeletal dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, autoimmune disorders, mental illness, and cognitive impairment. Makes referrals to the appropriate specialty clinics based on findings for items that cannot be provided in the home. Independently evaluates all home-bound patients referred to HBPC and implements appropriate treatment. The ages of HBPC patients range from adult to geriatric, the majority being geriatric, having a variety of disabilities. These cases may be complex in nature with chronic and acute disease entities. Independently complete a physical therapy evaluation, an environmental accessibility/safety/emergency preparedness assessment, and fall risk assessment. Determines appropriate durable medical equipment required, and recommends appropriate interventions to improve the patient's functional and mobility abilities. Uses standard and non-standard methods for evaluating issues in the home environment to identify potential problems and obtain a baseline level of function. Incumbent has the ability to determine the most appropriate plan of care relative to the patient's diagnosis, age, financial standing, social condition, and cognitive abilities with the goal being to achieve the highest level of understanding and functioning by the patient. Independently develop appropriate treatment plans and goals, including determination of appropriate home modifications that may improve safety, increase independence, and decrease caregiver burden. Assists the veteran patient in pursuing home modifications, including referral to community resources for adaptations such as remodeling, improved home access, etc. Provides education to patients, families, caregivers, VA medical staff, fee-basis agency employees, public assistive living facility staff. Coordinates and provides assistance regarding HISA grant and adaptive housing programs. Coordinates visits with independent vendors and contractors at the patient's home to coordinate accessible adaptations to their environment. Submits patient's for catastrophic disability benefits when it is found that the patient meets the criteria. Independently evaluates medical needs for appropriate adaptive and assistive equipment. Measures, fits, and instructs patients and caregivers in the safe use of any issued adaptive equipment or assistive devices. Responsible for selecting and placing orders for the most appropriate durable medical equipment among numerous possibilities. Determines which suits the patient's needs according to the patient's specific functional deficits as well as accounting for the patient's home restrictions and the other members of the home that share the area with the patient, Recommends necessary modifications to provide for proper fit; teaches patient/caregiver safe/correct use of equipment; instructs, motivates and assists patients and caregivers in individualized, special home/environmental assessments; and, provides safety/mobility instructions to prevent falls and injuries. Provides an annual assessment of equipment to determine continued stability of the device. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00AM - 4:30 PM Telework: AD-HOC Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 71870F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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/. IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. 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- 4 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.