Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist) - VISN 23 Home and Community Based Services Program IDT

Department of Veterans Affairs•Lincoln, NE

34d•Hybrid

About The Position

The VISN 23 Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) program Physical Therapist is a member of the interdisciplinary team (IDT) responsible for providing centralized, standardized, administrative and clinical eligibility reviews for authorization of purchased in home services. The IDT works in partnership with facility HCBS teams to ensure Veterans receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time. These positions may be filled by a Registered Nurse, Physical Therapist, or Occupational Therapist. These positions are advertised on separate USA jobs announcements. If you are interested in the other disciplines, you will need to apply to that vacancy announcement. The HCBS IDT emphasizes Aging in Place and the 4Ms (What Matters, Medication, Mentation and Mobility), encouraging restorative care over dependency. The program integrates both VA purchased and internal VA-provided home and community-based care services (HCBS). The PT's responsibilities include centralized, standardized administrative and clinical eligibility reviews for authorizing VA purchased in-home services, guiding care across VISN 23, assisting with Veteran planning assessments, identifying barriers, and ensuring smooth transitions in and out of the HCBS program.

Requirements

Advanced skill in utilizing specialized PT training and knowledge in the complex review and care planning for home and community-based services.
Clinical PT specialty experience/practice: First line evaluation, provision of therapy services, and evaluation of patients with specialized conditions/treatment protocols. Serves as a consultant and subject matter expert for health care providers regarding the delivery of care within specialized content area of physical therapy.
Makes recommendations and referral to other medical specialties/services as needed and are identified during ongoing assessment of this complex patient population.
Maintains flexibility of schedule to allow for unscheduled events, Veteran/team consultation and mentoring.
Maintains consistent and timely documentation of clinical work in the electronic medical record in accordance with accepted program, facility, professional, and Rehabilitation Service policies and procedures.
Shares knowledge and expertise about the scope of physical therapy practice and services provided across VISN 23. This is provided through direct consultation, mentorship, development of in-services and clinical training and leading by example.

Responsibilities

Utilizes knowledge of VISN 23 HCBS and VA program to match Veteran level of functioning with appropriate internal and external services, ensuring patient safety, recovery, and continuity of care.
Applies advanced physical therapy clinical knowledge and judgment to engage in planning, decision-making, and evaluating VISN 23 HCBS program eligibility.
Systematically evaluates current practices and formulates outcomes for patient groups and organizational processes within the area of expertise.
Collaborates with interprofessional team members at VISN and facility levels to ensure consistent services, objective eligibility determinations and service delivery with clear documentation and communication.
Works with VISN 23 HCBS IDT members to develop and implement strategies for program eligibility, service delivery, location, level of care discharge planning, appeals process, and performance improvement.
Conducts comprehensive clinical reviews of patient records to identify the need for personal care services and/or the presence of supervision or protection needs daily.
Documents information used in clinical eligibility determinations and eligibility assessment tools.
Demonstrates leadership, experience, and innovative approaches in managing complex Veteran care.
Assists with the implementation of the MISSION Act as it relates to VISN 23 HCBS program expansion.
Makes initial eligibility determinations, reassessments, and appeal decisions for clinical eligibly determinations.