Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist - Orthopedics)

Veterans Health Administration • San Antonio, TX

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

Serves as a clinical expert in specialized orthopedic rehabilitation services. The Physical Therapist conducts advanced patient evaluations, develops and delivers individualized treatment plans, recommends adaptive equipment, and monitors and modifies interventions to support mobility, safety, function, and independence. The role coordinates care with physicians, prosthetics personnel, and other healthcare professionals; develops discharge recommendations; and provides clinical consultation on complex cases. The position also educates patients on equipment use, mentors and trains clinical staff and students, guides multidisciplinary work, and supports quality assurance and established standards of care.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Ad-hoc telework is available in accordance with agency policy; this is not a virtual position. The position is permanent, and relocation or recruitment incentives and Permanent Change of Station authorization are not available.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception under VA policy for non-citizens when qualified U.S. citizens cannot be recruited.
• Graduate of a CAPTE-accredited physical therapy program, or qualifying foreign education with the required unrestricted U.S. physical therapy license.
• A full, current, unrestricted license to practice physical therapy in a U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; the announcement describes a limited temporary appointment exception for certain non-licensed PTs.
• Meet one of the education-and-experience pathways: 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.
• For the GS-13 Clinical Specialist grade, one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to GS-12, plus one of the following: at least 2,000 hours of clinical practice directly in the specialty area within the past two to five years; ABPTS board certification in the specialty; completion of a fellowship; 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 for healthcare providers in the specialty area.
• Demonstrate the ability to teach and mentor medical center staff in the specialty area.
• Demonstrate the ability to guide the work of a multidisciplinary team in the specialty area.
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge and expert skill in performing and interpreting specialized procedures and tests to evaluate treatment outcomes.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Meet applicable background and security investigation requirements and complete required onboarding and application documentation.
• Selected applicants may be subject to pre-employment drug testing and, depending on organizational needs, a pre-employment or post-employment physical examination; VA healthcare personnel must participate in seasonal influenza vaccination.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment.
• Submit transcripts when relying on education to qualify; foreign education used to meet requirements must include a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency.

Nice To Haves

• Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) certification and/or a related fellowship certification.
• Two or more years of experience collaborating with orthopedic providers.
• Acute care orthopedic experience.
• Experience with orthopedic protocols for joint replacements and other common orthopedic procedures.
• Program management experience.

Responsibilities

• Conduct advanced clinical assessments to identify functional limitations, rehabilitation needs, and appropriate therapeutic interventions.
• Develop and deliver individualized rehabilitation interventions to restore mobility, improve physical function, and maximize patient independence.
• Assess patient needs for durable medical equipment, orthotics, mobility aids, and assistive devices, and recommend suitable equipment.
• Monitor treatment outcomes and modify interventions in response to patient condition, functional performance, and rehabilitation goals.
• Coordinate patient care with physicians, prosthetics personnel, and other healthcare professionals.
• Develop safe and appropriate discharge recommendations that support continued recovery and patient independence.
• Provide specialized clinical consultation to physical therapists and other healthcare professionals on complex evaluations, treatment approaches, and rehabilitation services.
• Train patients in the safe and effective use of prescribed adaptive equipment.
• Provide instruction, clinical guidance, mentorship, and professional development to physical therapy staff, students, and other healthcare professionals.
• Guide the work of a multidisciplinary team in the specialty area.
• Monitor quality assurance data, maintain standards of care, and support improvements in rehabilitation service delivery.
• Perform and interpret specialized procedures and tests to evaluate treatment outcomes in the assigned specialty area.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits and eligibility depend on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.
• Selected applicants may be eligible to request credit for prior work or military service when determining annual leave accrual; approval is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

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