Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist)

About the role

The Physical Therapist's primary function is direct patient care in the Physical Therapy Section of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System (VAAAHS).

The physical therapist (PT) is responsible for independently providing assessment and treatment interventions to inpatients and outpatients received through healthcare provider referrals and patient self-referrals.

What you will do

• Provides clinical instruction for at least 1 PT student rotation per year.
• Performing specialized tests and measurements of relevant body systems using various methods including specific methods specialized for the Primary care and general outpatient populations.
• Understanding medical screening for direct access provision of PT services.
• Performing and interpreting results of tests and measurements of the patient's condition for use in preparing a treatment plan, modifying a treatment plan, and evaluating results of treatment.
• Demonstrating advanced and continuously growing skill in the area of Primary care and general outpatient patient population evaluation including the use of specialized outcome measures.
• Exercising originality in solving problems not covered by this guide, makes innovative adaptations of the clinical procedures herein to meet the complex and highly varying needs of the general/musculoskeletal outpatient population and advises all other health care team members and students in this regard.
• Responsible for making autonomous clinical decisions in a Direct Access environment.
• This includes ability to independently evaluate and treat patients who seek physical therapy services.
• Providing treatment to patients with the diagnoses of upper and lower extremity orthopedic surgery; degenerative conditions of the spine including spinal stenosis, spondylosis, and spondylolisthesis; mild to severely impaired patients with stroke and other brain injury; musculoskeletal disorders; central and peripheral neurological diagnoses; pelvic floor, and cardio/pulmonary conditions status post-surgery or medical treatment.
• Establishing meaningful, realistic ad measurable therapeutic goals and designs a treatment plan to meet the goals established in the most efficient manner.
• Completes appropriately timed reevaluations for the patients and modifies the goals based on the information gained by reevaluation.
• Communicates effectively with medical providers as needed.
• Demonstrating advanced knowledge and expert skill to perform and interpret specialized procedures and tests in evaluating the treatment outcomes in primary care PT populations (e.g. comprehensive multisystem assessments beyond the musculoskeletal system including cardiopulmonary, integument, neurologic, lymphatic, pain and function).
• Advanced ability to incorporate relevant findings from laboratory tests, pulmonary function tests, imaging and other medical tests in the comprehensive management of the PACT PT population.
• Providing physical therapy on VA supported virtual platforms as well as face to face interventions.
• Interacting with all stakeholders in a courteous, respectful and helpful manner actively supporting the Mission and Vision of the Ann Arbor VA and Ann Arbor PMRS Department.
• Responsible for patient confidentiality, HIPPA and cyber security regulations with respect to patient information in compliance with the Medical Center's "Patient Rights and Responsibilities". ?Serves as a resource person to the Community and/or the Facility in matters related to Primary care PACT, the delivery of health care, and the needs of the veteran population.
• In addition, the therapist is responsible for his/her own professional development, keeping current with treatment techniques as well as licensure.
• Maybe assigned to all program areas which are covered by the Service and provide professional, independent physical therapy services in the assigned area.
• The therapist is responsible for maintaining comprehensive knowledge and skills for each therapy area CLINICAL According to department policies, incumbent is authorized to perform complex examination and treatment of patients representing a wide scope of ages and diagnoses, rendering varied modalities inherent in their profession.
• Patient Evaluation- Demonstrates the advanced knowledge and skills necessary to provide treatment appropriate to patients despite complexity served on his/her assigned unit.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the changes associated with the aging/disease processes as well as possesses the ability to assess the patient's status to interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/ser age-related, physical, psychosocial and cultural needs.
• Patient Treatment- After initial evaluation of patient, formulates progressive treatment plans and goals, and is responsible for implementation, modification, and documentation of the treatments.
• Apply advanced treatment methodologies and treatment theories in the provision of care to a vast array of functional impairment and patients, as well as provide clinical practice guidance for other staff physical therapists.
• Monitor and evaluate clinically appropriate treatment programs.
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Functional Statement #: 93291A

Requirements

• 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 (***).
• 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.
• 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).
• 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 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.

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: ***

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: ***

How you will be evaluated

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC.

WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Documents you must provide

• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) License to practice Physical Therapy Professional Certification SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position.
• Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc. The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position.
• Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc. SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility): Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee An SF-50 showing your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials.
• If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement.
• In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade Award 50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for the purpose of verifying time-in-grade.
• Examples of appropriate SF-50's include: Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.
• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) License to practice Physical Therapy Professional Certification SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

What to expect next

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met.

After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center. NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service.

HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities.

HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities.

HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience.

This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. 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. 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.