Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist)

Veterans Health Administration • San Diego, CA

11d • Onsite

About The Position

The Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist) within Pelvic Rehab and Women's Health serves as a consultant, clinician, and subject matter expert for the treatment of patients in both Outpatient and Inpatient Physical Therapy at the VA San Diego Healthcare System Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. This announcement may be used to fill future vacancies. The Physical Therapist Clinical Specialist (Pelvic Rehab and Women's Health) serves as a consultant, clinician, and subject matter expert for the treatment of patients in both Outpatient and Inpatient Physical Therapy at the VASDHCS Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The specialist knowledge has been acquired through a minimum of 2-years of clinical experience and specialty training in this area. Clinical specialist abilities and skills are necessary for treating both male and female patients having complicated medical conditions, including, but not limited to, urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, dyspareunia, vaginismus, vulvodynia, pelvic organ prolapse, interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome, prostatitis, defecation disorders, management of IBS/IBD, Levator Ani Syndrome, coccygodynia, chronic pelvic pain, pudendal neuralgia, pelvic oncology rehab, breast cancer post treatment rehab, peripartum and post-partum rehab. Specific assignment as core Physical Therapist assigned to VAMC San Diego Women's Health Clinical Team as Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist Specialist and supplemental assignment to Pain Management Outpatient (PMOP) Team.

Requirements

• 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.
• 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 may 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.
• Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist; OR Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist; OR Doctorate degree in physical therapy; OR Foreign Graduates: Graduates of foreign physical therapy programs meet 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.
• 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.
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• Possess either APTA Board Certification Pelvic and Women's Health Clinical Specialist (PWCS) or Herman & Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Practitioner Certification (PRPC) and maintenance of certification is required. PWCS is preferred status. PRPC is alternate/secondary status.

Responsibilities

• Performs physical therapy evaluations and treatments for patients in the location of inpatient and outpatient settings, ages ranging from adult to geriatric, having a variety of disabilities and determines the most appropriate plan of care relative to the patient's diagnosis and age.
• Serves as a clinical instructor with the VAMC San Diego Physical Therapy Internship Program with specific mentoring and oversight of assigned DPT interns from various academic institutions across the country.
• Provides clinical oversight of DPT Interns, as well as mentoring affective professional skills.
• Serves as role model for PT Residents, students, and other PMRS/physical therapy staff in clinical competency, affective skills, and professionalism.
• Employs unusual/creative motivational techniques to enlist patient participation and adapt equipment and procedures to carry out a full range of complex treatment activities and interventions.
• Evaluates patient's condition upon appropriate referral to physical therapy to determine treatment plan by referring patients to Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service, Primary Care, or other specialty providers when determined necessary.
• Performs and interprets results of tests and measurements for use in preparing for, modifying, and/or evaluating patients for treatment, and adjusts treatment based on changes in patient's condition.
• Evaluates patient's needs with respect to prescribed braces and orthotic devices and recommends necessary equipment items, or make modifications to existing items, and will provide, or assist in the application, to ensure the equipment has a proper fit and that all training requirements of such equipment are completed.
• Manages all applicable consults/referrals, coordinates scheduling, and maintains sufficient supplies and equipment from Prosthetics and Logistics departments needed for patient care.
• Establishes and maintains appropriate Quality Assurance monitoring as related to physical therapy and the Pelvic Rehab/Women's Health Physical Therapy clinic, including, but not limited to, patient outcomes, quality of care, and semi-annual documentation peer reviews.
• Reviews charts to assess appropriateness of referrals and possible contraindications for treatment, and communicates with the referring providers, as needed.
• Assists with scheduling patients for treatment, considering priority and frequency of care, and coordinating schedules with other members of the treatment team.
• Documents patient performance toward achieving treatment goals, manages time appropriately, and assures a high level of productivity and work efficiency.
• Assures all documentation is done according to VAMC San Diego policy for all patient visits and patient interactions requiring such notes.
• Provides continuing education in the form of in-services and clinical training programs to other clinicians, including physical therapists, residents, students, and other medical center staff.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
• As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
• Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.
• Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level