**This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30, 2025. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be November 11, 2024, with subsequent cut-off dates on the 1st of each month. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.** 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. Education and experience. The individual must meet at least one of the requirements below: (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. NOTE: Prior to 1995 the terminal degree for PT's was either a bachelors or master's degree. In 1995 CAPTE accredited all baccalaureate, master's, and Doctor of Physical Therapy terminal degree programs. Effective 2002, CAPTE changed its scope of accrediting activities of PT education programs to include only those programs that culminate in post baccalaureate degrees(eliminating the baccalaureate degree). Effective 2015, professional physical therapy education programs have only offered the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree to all new students. 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 in subparagraph 3b 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. The Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT) is a non4 profit organization created to assist the United States (U.S.) Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly INS) and U.S. state licensing authorities by evaluating the credentials of Foreign Educated Physical Therapists (FEPTs) who wish to immigrate and work in the U.S. Although the licensing of physical therapists in the U.S. is a right and responsibility of each jurisdiction, foreign educated individuals must undergo an educational credentials assessment for substantial equivalency to the first professional degree in the US. The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) is committed to protect the public and to provide leadership within the field and practice of physical therapy. FSBPT's Foreign Educated Standards Committee has developed standards that represent "best practices" in evaluation services. The Credentials Evaluation Standards were developed with input from the physical therapy credentialing agencies that are licensed to use FSBPT's Coursework Tool. 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 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: 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 following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 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. 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. Preferred Experience: The candidate should have training in outpatient musculoskeletal disorders and demonstrate expertise in assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating programs for adults who may have acute and chronic pain conditions. 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-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is the GS-13. Physical Requirements: Pre-placement and periodic physical examinations are required for hybrid occupations to ensure workers are placed in positions where they can perform the essential functions of their job considering their physical, mental and emotional capacities, without endangering their health or the health of their co-workers. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. ["The Active Management of Pain (AMP) Physical Therapist (PT) position primary duties are to provide pain services as an integrated part of the Pain Clinic and in support of the Pain Management Team. Clinical care should be provided as part of an interprofessional specialty pain care team in the Biopsychosocial Model of Pain Care and VA Stepped Care Model for Pain Management. The incumbent, along with the AMP Psychologist, is responsible for the provision of the new developing AMP group-based pain care. In addition, the person will serve as a subject matter expert in the content specialty area of physical therapy/rehabilitation of patients with chronic pain, and as a consultant to other medical center staff in evaluating and treating patients in the specialty area of chronic pain. Other than AMP implementation, pain-specific duties will vary based on the needs of the Central Alabama Veterans Healthcare facility. Major duties include, but are not limited to: Spends at least 50% of clinical time providing AMP groups. Demonstrates a full professional and current understanding of the theories of physical therapy treatment and their proper application, particularly those specialized techniques related to complex chronic pain problems. Demonstrates expertise in assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating treatment plans for adult patients with complex pain problems. As part of the pain team, provides feedback and coordinates care with associated health care team members. Evaluation and treatment are completed in a timely fashion; chart review will allow the opportunity to assess appropriateness of the referral. Consults are scheduled considering priority and frequency of care, and coordination of schedules with other members of the treatment team. Responsible for the application of behavioral strategies to recognize and address fear- voidance presentations, as well as for adapting physical therapy approaches to patients presenting with a combination of severe mental and physical disabilities. Assesses patient's learning needs, and plans and implements appropriate patient education programs, involving the patient, family, and significant others in the instructional process. Participates in program development activities related to AMP, including data collection/management, policy development/adherence, and documentation. Participates in multidisciplinary team meetings, as well as pain committee meetings, as indicated by Pain Clinic leadership, as well as section and service leadership. Complies with national and local performance measures, including timely health care screening and completion of clinical reminders for all patients. Complies with all electronic health record documentation procedures, including timeliness standards for documentation and proper patient check out procedures (e.g., entering diagnostic and procedure codes). Provides physical therapy focused guidance and consultation to staff. Provides supervision, education, and training to Medical Center trainees, including residents, students, and interns/fellows. Participates in intra- and interdepartmental committees, task forces, and projects, as requested by supervisors and/or Facility pain leadership. Demonstrates ability to provide didactics/lectures to medical staff within the area of pain management, specifically pain-focused physical therapy interventions. Participate in training related to AMP including an in-person 3-day workshop fully funded through the PMOP (Pain Management, Opioid Safety, and Prescription Drug Monitoring) Program. Work Schedule: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 58336F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized"]

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