Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist) - Women's Health/Pelvic Rehabilitation

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, 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.

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Duties

This position is in the Physical Therapy Section within the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service of the VA Northern California Health Care System (VANCHCS) which is a Complexity Level 1b facility. The Physical Therapist is responsible for providing assessment and treatment intervention on an independent basis across the continuum of care in the capacity of a Women's Health/Pelvic Rehabilitation Specialist. This position is located at Redding VA facility with 1 day per week at Chico VA facility, through the Women's Health Innovation Staffing and Enhancement (WHISE) grant (FCP 435).

VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY

Major Duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Advanced knowledge of contemporary Physical Therapy across multiple areas of practice gained through completion of rotations within the various PT clinics or outside facility experience, and the demonstrated ability to apply this advanced knowledge to provide clinical guidance to Staff Physical Therapists, residents, and PT interns.
• Provide clinically appropriate treatment programs for client evaluation and treatment, within this Veterans Administration Medical Center, with great autonomy.
• Perform and interpret tests and measures to assess normal parameters of physiological functions, as well as, pathophysiological, pathomechanical, electrophysiological, ergonomic, and developmental deficits of bodily systems to determine diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and prevention.
• Develop, coordinate, and implement highly specialized treatment programs within assigned clinic, based on best practices for patient/client management, to relieve pain, restore or enhance performance, and maximize independence in functional abilities.
• Mentor and assist other physical therapy staff in the management of highly complex medically impaired patients/individuals with pelvic impairments via consultation or co-treatment.
• Demonstrate competence in treating both males and females with pelvic floor dysfunction. A minimum of 50% of time is devoted to the practice of this specialty service.
• Demonstrate clinical expertise in evaluation, interpretation, and treatment utilizing Biofeedback and specialty stimulation equipment such as Pathway CTS 2000 Continence Evaluation and Training System. Serves as a mentor/trainer to other staff in utilizing these devices.
• Demonstrate the ability to interpret and assimilate diagnostic testing from other disciplines related to pelvic dysfunctions including Urology, Gynecology, Neurology and Colorectal Services. Demonstrates skill in educating other staff in the utilization of this specialized information for effective client care.
• Plan and implement a comprehensive treatment regimen designed to maximize the function of the client with pelvic dysfunctions, including but not limited to pelvic/related pain, urinary/fecal incontinence, pre and post-partum, and weakness/dysfunction of pelvic floor structures.
• Demonstrate advanced manual therapy skills especially for the lumbar, sciatic, hip, and pelvis. Perform assessment of muscles, ligaments, nerves and bony landmarks within the pelvic floor and pelvic girdle. Skills include perineal sensory assessment, ligamentous provocation, muscle strength testing, restriction and pain assessment of pelvic girdle muscles, fascia and nerves, and coordination of pelvic floor muscles with functional activities.
• Directly assist the Supervisor of Physical Therapy in clinic development, outcome management, and strategic planning related to the Pelvic Rehabilitation Program.
• Plan an effective goal-directed treatment program, based on findings from a thorough examination and assessment that is appropriate and indicated for the impairment, functional limitation and/or disability being treated. Implements the treatment program and modifies it as needed to achieve goals
• Recognize the appropriateness of responses to treatment based on indications, precautions, and contraindications. Recognizes when to refer conditions outside the scope of physical therapy practice to the appropriate provider.
• Consider the age/gender of the client, when assessing or providing client care, as it relates to their ability to understand directions and provide objective self-assessments when implementing the overall treatment plan.
• Provide clients and their families with counseling, education, information, and training regarding the nature of their impairments, functional limitations, treatment plan, goals, home program, and/or disability.
  
  

Work Schedule: Full-Time; Monday to Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact V21CCOEEDRP@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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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 probationary 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).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
  
  

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

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.

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  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 the authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in Veterans Health Administration (VHA), must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• 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. OR
• Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. OR
• Doctorate degree in physical therapy.
  
  

Foreign Graduates: Graduates of foreign physical therapy programs meet the Education and Experience 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.

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  Licensure: Individuals must 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.
  
  

Grandfathering Provision: 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).All licensed PTs employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:

• Employees grandfathered into the GS-0633 occupational series as PTs may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation.
• PTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of this qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of this standard.
• PTs initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration, meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard and must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.
• If PTs who are grandfathered under this provision leave the occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.
  
  

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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs.
• 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.
• 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.

Reference: FORMER VA HANDBOOK REFERENCE: PART II APPENDIX G12, EFFECTIVE DATE: FEBRUARY 7, 2018. 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: 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.

The incumbent of the position will meet and maintain physical and drug test program requirements for the position as required. Ability to walk or to get to all clinics daily requires standing, bending and sitting, as well as carrying light objects. Due to the complexity of the work, the multiplicity of the projects at any one time, deadlines, and duties, the job requires a high level or energy and may be psychologically stressful at times.

Given the probability of patient treatment, the work requires above-average agility and dexterity, heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; use of fingers, both hands required; reaching above shoulder; walking (8 hours); standing (8 hours); both legs required (1 prosthetic); far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing (aid permitted), and mental and emotional stability.

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

Receiving Service Credit or 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.

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.

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