Physical Therapy (Clinical Specialist)

Summary 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. Duties VA Careers

• Physical Therapy: 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 Qualifications Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Candidates must be a citizen of the United States. After a determination is made that it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens, necessary personnel may be appointed on a temporary basis under authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 without regard to the citizenship requirements of 38 U.S.C. 7402 or any other law prohibiting the employment of or payment of compensation to a person who is not a citizen of the United States. Candidates must meet all other requirements for the grade and position concerned. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education and experience: The individual must meet at least one of the requirements below: Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. Doctorate degree in physical therapy. Licensure: Individuals should 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. Non-licensed PTs, who otherwise meet the basic requirements in this standard, may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate PT at the GS-11 grade level under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 (a)(1)(D) for a period not-to-exceed two years from the date of employment on the condition that such PT provide care only under the supervision of a PT who is licensed. Failure to obtain licensure during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment. English Language Proficiency: Individuals appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA must be proficient in written and spoken English. See Chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Driver's License Requirement
• A current, valid state issued Driver's License is required for this position. NOTE: We cannot accept photographs, therefore; please do not submit a copy of your license with your application package. If an interview is requested, you will be required to provide a copy of your current, valid state-issued Driver's License. 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). Grandfathering Provision. All licensed PTs employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standar