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This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. 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. 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. 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 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. Loss of Credential. A PT who fails to maintain the required license must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment. At the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may be reassigned to another occupation, if qualified, and if a placement opportunity exists. NOTE. Individuals who have or have had multiple licenses and had any such license revoked for professional misconduct, professional incompetency or substandard care, or who surrendered such license after receiving written notice of potential termination of such license by the state for professional misconduct, professional incompetence, or substandard care, are not eligible for appointment to the position unless such revoked or surrendered license is fully restored (38 U.S.C 7402(f)). Effective November 30, 1999, this is a requirement for employment. This requirement does not apply to licensed physical therapists on VA rolls as of November 30, 1999, provided the individual maintains a continuous appointment and is not disqualified for employment by any subsequent revocations or voluntary surrenders of State license, registration or certification. Grade Determinations: GS- 13 Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist) 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: 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 Board Certification in the specialty area recognized by the ABPTS; or Completion of a fellowship program; or An additional advanced degree in a related field. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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 (see below). 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 (see below). Content Specialty/Specialty area. Specialized content areas of physical therapy include, but are not limited to, geriatrics, neurology, cardiopulmonary, orthopedics, spinal cord injury, amputee, wound care, chronic pain, pelvic health, polytrauma, brain injury, lymphedema, vestibular, assistive technology, seating and mobility. As health care evolves content specialty will change. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/99 FEBRUARY 7, 2018 PART II APPENDIX G12 The full performance level of this vacancy is 13. Physical Requirements: Work includes regular and recurring physical exertion in standing, bending, kneeling, reaching, gripping, and walking. Moderate to heavy lifting is required to assist patients and operate equipment. Sitting is required in meetings and for conducting administrative work. Work may require physical stamina, normal use of arms and legs, and good visual and auditory acuity. ["The Neurological Clinical Specialist Physical Therapist is a member of the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service at Overton Brooks VA Medical Center (OBVAMC) in Shreveport, Louisiana. The Physical Therapist is considered a subject matter expert in the management of acute and chronic neurological conditions. The Neurological Clinical Specialist is a subject matter expert that provides evaluation and treatment that promotes the prevention, remediation, and education of acute and chronic neurological conditions and is responsible for administering PT to adult and geriatric patients. Services will include evaluations, education, and treatment, individually or in groups, of veterans with acute, chronic, post-operative medical, neurological, and orthopedic conditions. Duties include but not limited to: Establishes and maintains contact with other health care providers involved in patient care via written, telephone, and personal communication on a regular basis. Exercises expert professional judgment to establish appropriate discharge planning recommendations to ensure safe discharge from inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation programs. Demonstrates expert clinical practice skills in providing assessment and treatment interventions across the continuum of care. - Carries out the full range of treatments where therapeutic objectives are complex, and treatment involved requires the application of highly specialized skills and knowledge, particularly as related to neurological patients. Completes evaluation and treatment in a timely fashion; chart review will allow the incumbent an opportunity to assess the appropriateness of the referral and possible contraindications for treatment Consults are scheduled according to priority and frequency of care, and coordination of schedules with other members of the treatment team. - Evaluates medical history and results and interpretation of the appropriate tests and measurements performed. Assesses for appropriate orthotic devices used in joint protection and management. Orders, fits and trains patients on appropriate devices. Modifies treatment plan according to evaluative findings on an ongoing basis to meet short- and long-term goals. Serves as a consultant and subject matter expert for healthcare providers regarding the delivery of care in the Neurological Physical Therapy specialty. Teaches and mentors medical center staff in Neurological Physical Therapy Other duties as assigned Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact Robert Knudsen, robert.knudsen@va.gov or Cassandra Tramiel cassandra.tramiel@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS):Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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