Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist)

Veterans Health Administration • Minneapolis, MN

11d • Onsite

About The Position

The Minneapolis VA Health Care System is recruiting a full-time Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist) assigned to the Spinal Cord Injury and Neurological Disease Center (SCI/D Center) and physical therapy service. The neurologic clinical specialist serves as a subject matter expert and consultant to physical therapy and medical center staff in managing neurologic patients, spending most of their time in outpatient SCI/D physical therapy. The role requires independent practice and proficiency providing inpatient and outpatient services for orthopedic, neuromuscular, and mobility conditions, with flexibility to cover departmental needs. Some services may be delivered through telemedicine. The schedule may include weekends and holidays as needed, although the listed regular schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Central Time. Telework and virtual work are not available.

The physical therapist provides specialized evaluation and treatment across the continuum of care, makes autonomous clinical decisions in a Direct Access environment, and adapts treatment plans to patient needs and outcomes. The specialist guides multidisciplinary clinical care, teaches and mentors staff and trainees, and contributes to SCI/D Center program development, policies, quality assurance, and standards of care. This is a GS-13 position. The full performance level and actual selection grade are GS-13.

Requirements

• Meet one of the following education and experience combinations: a bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy and five years of progressively independent physical therapist experience; a master's degree in Physical Therapy and two years of progressively independent experience; or a doctorate degree in physical therapy.
• Graduate from a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)-accredited college or university.
• Hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice physical therapy in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Demonstrate written and spoken English proficiency.
• For GS-13, have one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to GS-12 and meet at least one specialty qualification: 2,000 hours of clinical practice directly in the specialty area within the past two to five years; ABPTS-recognized board certification in the specialty; completion of a fellowship program; or an additional advanced degree in a related field.
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge and expert skill in specialized physical therapy interventions and treatment modalities.
• Demonstrate the ability to serve as a consultant and subject matter expert, teach and mentor medical center staff, guide a multidisciplinary team, and perform and interpret specialized procedures and tests to evaluate treatment outcomes.
• Clearly document all qualifying experience in the application materials.
• Be a U.S. citizen, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Meet applicable pre-employment screening, background/security investigation, onboarding, identification, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements; selected applicants may be required to undergo urinalysis.
• For males born after December 31, 1959, meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Submit a transcript with the application; foreign education used to qualify must include a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency.

Nice To Haves

• Two years of physical therapy experience in a neurologic rehabilitation setting.
• Neurologic Clinical Specialist (NCS) board certification.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and treat patients referred to Physical Therapy, including routine to complex cases, with most time devoted to outpatient SCI/D physical therapy.
• Make autonomous clinical decisions in a Direct Access environment, including independently evaluating and treating patients seeking physical therapy.
• Plan and deliver interventions for orthopedic, neuromuscular, vestibular, pelvic health, falls, and mobility conditions, adapting treatment based on current theory, research, practice, and patient progress.
• Modify treatment plans and use independent problem-solving and innovative techniques to assess treatment outcomes.
• Involve patients, families or significant others, and the medical team in treatment planning and goal setting through ongoing communication.
• Assess and request prosthetic or orthotic equipment as needed and modify it when necessary.
• Recommend referrals to other medical specialties or services based on ongoing patient assessment.
• Maintain schedule flexibility for unscheduled patients, consultations, and mentoring; provide inpatient or outpatient cross-coverage as departmental needs require.
• Document patient encounters in the electronic medical record in accordance with professional practice and facility and service policies.
• Guide multidisciplinary teams in the clinical management of neurologic and SCI/D patients.
• Teach and mentor staff and health professional trainees, including physical therapy students and residents; provide and evaluate student clinical training experiences according to APTA and academic guidelines.
• Share expertise through consultation, mentorship, in-services, clinical training, and regular educational offerings for teams and providers.
• Participate in SCI/D Center program development to improve efficiency and quality.
• Help develop policies, procedures, quality assurance monitors, and standards of care for the SCI/D Center and physical therapy.
• Attend PM&R Service, Physical Therapy Department, and SCI/D Center educational and developmental meetings.
• Comply with applicable requirements governing documentation, medical records, reimbursement, and workload statistics.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on position eligibility.
• Possible credit toward annual leave accrual for qualifying prior federal work or military service, subject to request and approval before appointment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree