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Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply. Responsibilities Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf VA Careers - Cheyenne VA Health Care System: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJtdKxoVt1I This physical therapist functions as a Clinical Specialist stationed in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) of the Cheyenne VA Healthcare System. A Physical Therapist-Clinical Specialist who works at this level provides assessment and treatment intervention on an independent basis across the continuum of care and services provided by PM&RS. Major duties and responsibilities of the position include but are not limited to: Physical Therapist-Clinical Specialist spends the majority of his/her time working in a specialty content area providing independent examination in this environment. In this function, a Physical Therapist-Clinical Specialist reports to the Supervisory Physical Therapist who provides clinical oversight and administrative support with consultation of the Chief of PM&RS. Functions as the Physical Therapy expert and consultant on interdisciplinary treatment teams guiding progress toward established goals. Provides leadership and effectively coordinates patient care issues with other health care providers. Serves as subject matter expert in their specialty content area as a consultant to physical therapy and other medical center staff in evaluating and treating patients in the specialty area. Recognized as a clinical authority and resource for identifying contraindications and suggesting innovative treatment plans. Utilizes advanced knowledge and expert skill in using standard and non-standard methods for evaluating complex caseload to identify problems and baseline levels of function. Primary evaluation instruments and/or procedures to include, but are not limited to: subjective interview, review of medical histories, observation, postural assessments, palpation and inspection, upper and lower quarter screening measures, sensory and reflex testing, goniometry, strength measurements, orthopedic special tests, manual therapy assessments, joint play/mobilization assessments, passive intervertebral motion testing, nerve glide testing, balance assessments, and functional mobility. Evaluations are frequently complex and may need to be adapted because of multiple physical and emotional disabilities or present orthopedic conditions. Recognizes indications, contraindications, precautions, and appropriateness of treatment prescribed by referring provider and consults with referring provider if these are in question. Utilizes advanced knowledge and expert skill in physical therapy treatment utilizing a full range of physical therapy treatment. Uses a wide variety of traditional and non-traditional treatment techniques and modalities. The modalities/techniques used to meet individual rehabilitation objectives could include, but are not limited to: strengthening and range of motion exercises, manual therapy techniques, joint mobilization and manipulation, soft tissue mobilization, trigger point dry needling, mechanical traction, application adaptive/assistive equipment and braces, heat, ultrasound, cold and electrical stimulation, patient and family/caregiver education regarding condition/disability and home exercise program, functional mobility training, and community re-integration. Incumbent has full understanding to all indications, precautions, and contraindications for all modalities. Understanding that patients often have multiple physical/medical and psycho-social deficits which necessitate adaptive treatment practices to meet specific and unique patient needs. Measures, fits, and instructs patients in the safety and use of complex adaptive and assistive devices. Patient population varies, covering a wide range of medical diagnoses, many with multiple, complex interacting problems which need to be considered in the total treatment program. Incumbent monitors and evaluates clinically appropriate treatment programs with great autonomy. Performs required documentation in a timely manner in accordance with established policies. Mentors Cheyenne VAHCS staff in Physical therapy evaluation and treatment. Work Schedule: Full Time, Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Situational (ad hoc) Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 442-55030-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VHA CHY HR Liaisons [email protected], 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 trial period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). 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: Citizenship: Candidates must be a Citizen of the United States. 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. Note: Individuals must be a graduate of a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredited college or university. The CAPTE is the only accreditation agency recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) to accredit entry-level physical therapy programs. Verification of accredited programs may be obtained from the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) at www.apta.org. Foreign Graduates. Graduates of foreign physical therapy programs meet the requirements if they have a full unrestricted and current license to practice physical therapy in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. 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). 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. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates. 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 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. 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. Preferred Experience: Physical Therapist, Board Certified Clinical Specialist Reference: 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. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: The Physical Therapist position requires standing, walking, bending, light to moderate lifting and positioning patients. The incumbent may need to assist in the maneuvering of patients in wheelchairs and transferring of patients to/from a chair/bed/floor. This position requires lifting/carrying 15-35 lbs (1 hour per day) sitting (2 hours per day); standing (1 hour per day); walking (2 hours per day); bending/stooping (1/2 hour per day); simple grasping (4 hours per day); and fine manipulation including keyboarding (1 hour per day). A fair amount of walking is also required to interact with patients and other services throughout the hospital. Applicants must be physically and mentally able to efficiently perform the essential functions of the position without hazard to themselves or others. 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.