Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist)

<p>The Minneapolis VA Health Care System (VAHCS) is recruiting for one (1) full-time Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist) assigned to the Inpatient Acute Medicine/Surgical PT service located at the Minneapolis VA Medial Center.</p><h3>Major Duties</h3><p>Major duties include, but are not limited to: The MVAHCS is a Complexity Level 1 facility with a National Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center (PRC), a Spinal Cord Injury and Neurological Disease Center (SCI/D), an Amputation Regional Center (ARC), a Polytrauma Transitional Rehabilitation (PTRP) program and a Polytrauma Network Site (PNS). The incumbent applies knowledge, skills, and abilities in professional physical therapy practice to provide care and treatment to patients referred to the Physical Therapy Section of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS). The incumbent will spend the majority of time working in the area of Acute Medicine/Surgical PT. Therapist is highly self-directed, works independently to treat patients within this population, and is proficient in delivering services for a broad range of orthopedic, neuromuscular, and mobility conditions, while maintaining the flexibility to cross-cover departmental needs. The work schedule may include weekends and holidays as needed. A. Clinical: Demonstrates advanced knowledge and expert skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities, and ability to interpret specialized procedures and tests in evaluating treatment outcomes in the area of acute medicine/surgical physical therapy. Demonstrates the ability to guide the work of multidisciplinary team in the clinical management of this patient population. i. Ability to make autonomous clinical decisions in a Direct Access environment, including independently evaluating and treating patients seeking physical therapy. ii. Performs routine to complex physical therapy evaluation and treatment considering the stage of life and tailoring education to meet patient learning needs involving family/significant others. iii. Involves the patient, family/significant other and medical team in treatment planning and goal setting through ongoing communication. iv. Plans and executes a full range of interventions and treatment modalities for a broad range of outpatient conditions (orthopedic, neuromuscular, vestibular, falls and mobility), adapting procedures based on current theory, research, and practice. v. Demonstrates independent problem-solving skills for frequent modification of treatment plans, employing innovative techniques and critically assessing treatment outcomes. vi. Assesses and requests prosthetic/orthotic equipment as needed and modifies them as necessary. vii. Appropriately recommends and refers to other medical specialties/services based on ongoing patient assessment. viii. Maintains a flexibility of schedule to allow for unscheduled patients, consultation and mentoring. ix. Consistently documents patient encounters in the electronic medical record per accepted PT practice, facility and service policies. B. Education: Teaches and mentors staff, and serves as a consultant and subject matter expert for health care providers regarding delivery of care within the acute medicine/surgical physical therapy area of practice. i. Provides clinical training experiences for physical therapy students, evaluating performance per APTA and academic guidelines. ii. Serves as teacher and mentor to staff and health professional trainees (including physical therapy students and residents). iii. Shares knowledge and expertise with the Acute Medicine/Surgical PT team, greater physical therapy department, PM&R Service, medical center, and community through consultation, mentorship, in-services, and clinical training. iv. Provides regular educational offerings to teams/providers on Physical Therapy. C. Administrative: Knowledge and ability to comply with all applicable regulations governing documentation, medical records, reimbursement, and workload statistics in accordance with established professional practice and VHA. i. Actively participates in program development to improve efficiency and quality of interventions within Acute Medicine/Surgical PT team. ii. Represents the Acute Medicine/Surgical PT team and physical therapy department in developing policies, procedures, quality assurance monitors, and standards of care. iii. Attends PM&R Service, Physical Therapy Department, and Acute Medicine/Surgical PT team educational and developmental meetings. Work Schedule: Full-time, Tuesday - Friday 7:30am - 5:00pm CST; every other Saturday 7:00am -3:30pm CST Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized</p><h3>Requirements</h3>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. 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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.<h3>Education</h3>IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application. 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/.