Summary The Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service is seeking a full-time Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist) for the VA Medical Center in Birmingham Alabama. Responsibilities The Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service is seeking a full-time Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist) for the VA Medical Center in Birmingham Alabama. The Geriatric Clinical Specialist in Physical Therapy (PT) serves as the subject matter expert in Geriatric Physical Therapy and as a consultant to staff physical therapists and other medical center staff in evaluating and treating geriatric patients for physical therapy services. He/she provides direct patient care and is available for consultation for geriatric patients. He/she is also the therapy liaison to the Geriatric Research and Education Clinical Center (GRECC) and works with GRECC in the implementation of the Falls Prevention Clinic program. The duties include but are not limited to: Examines (history, system review and tests and measures) individuals with impairment, functional limitation, and disability or other health-related conditions to determine a diagnosis, prognosis, and intervention. Performs procedures to alleviate impairment and functional limitation by designing, implementing, and modifying therapeutic interventions. Performs procedures and education to prevent injury, impairment, functional limitation, and disability, including the promotion and maintenance of health, wellness, fitness, and ·quality of life. Performs duties of clinical instructor for affiliated schools for PT and Physical Therapist Assistant programs. Participates in PM&RS in service training. Supervises work-study students and volunteers assigned to PT. Performs documentation in accordance with service and medical center policies in a timely manner. Performs patient scheduling and workload entries in accordance with service and medical center policies in a timely manner. Participates in the performance improvement activities of the service. Ensures proper supply inventory levels are maintained for patient treatment. Maintains clinic cleanliness and equipment functioning, enforcing safety procedures. Management of Falls Prevention and Geriatric or GRECC Clinics and referred patients. Triage of Outpatient Physical Therapy and Integrative Medicine consults as appropriate. Consultation and collaboration with GRECC Clinic as needed. Work Schedule: 7am-3:30pm, Monday - Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: FS 552 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You 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. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. 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: 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: (1) Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. (2) Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. (3) Doctorate degree in physical therapy. Licensure. Individuals 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). Grade Determinations: GS-13 Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level and one of the following: 1. Evidence of a minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice directly in the specialty area. This time must be between the past two and five years; or 2. Board Certification in the specialty area recognized by the ABPTS; or 3. Completion of a fellowship program; or 4. An additional advanced degree in a related field. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the all following KSAs. 1. Advanced knowledge and expert skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in a specialized treatment area of physical therapy. 2. 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 (see paragraph 2i). 3. Ability to teach and mentor medical center staff in a specialized content area of physical therapy. 4. Ability to guide the work of a multi-disciplinary team in a specialized content area of physical therapy. 5. Advanced knowledge and expert skill to perform and interpret specialized procedures and tests in evaluating the treatment outcomes in the assigned specialty content area. Assignment. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and variety. Clinical Specialists spend at least 25% or greater of their time working with specialized population(s) within their department. Physical therapists at this level perform assignments in specialty areas such as geriatrics, neurology, cardiopulmonary, orthopedics, spinal cord injury, amputee, wound care, chronic pain, electromyography, women's health or pelvic health, polytrauma, brain injury, lymphedema, vestibular, assistive technology, seating and mobility. The individual is assigned responsibility for serving as the subject matter expert in the content specialty area and as a consultant to physical therapy and other medical center staff in evaluating and treating patients in the specialty area. Clinical Specialists have advanced knowledge and demonstrate expert clinical practice skills in providing assessment and treatment interventions across the continuum of care. He/she utilizes advanced knowledge and expertise to modify treatment plans and to identify therapeutic activity interventions based on the changing needs, goals and performance of patients. Clinical Specialists have advanced training in specialized technology related to their area of practice. He/she establishes and maintains contact with other health care providers involved in patient care via written, telephone, and personal communication on a regular basis. He/she exercises expert professional judgment to establish appropriate discharge planning recommendations to ensure safe discharge from inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation programs. If the medical center has a PT residency program, the clinical specialist may be on faculty for the program. Preferred Experience: Must have completed Geriatric Physical Therapy residency program. Reference: VA HANDBOOK 5005/99 PART II APPENDIX G12. For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; heavy carrying, 45 pounds and over; straight pulling (4 hours); pushing (4 hours); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking (6 hours); standing (6 hours); kneeling (5 hours); repeated bending (5 hours); climbing, use of legs and arms; both legs required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; good visual requirement; hearing (aid permitted); mental and emotional stability. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.