Summary The Woman's Health Specialist is a consultant and subject matter expert and assists in the clinical education of professional clinicians, interns and students. This role performs all administrative duties in the day to day operations of a large and complex program, locally and regionally, serving in Pelvic and Women's Health. They develop patient programs for multiple complex, acute, and chronic medical problems. They occasionally provide coverage in a clinic other than the primary assignment. Responsibilities VA Careers - Physical Therapy: Work Schedule: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Not Eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 06926F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Major Duties include but are not limited to the following: Demonstrates ability to make autonomous clinical decisions in a Direct Access environment with consideration for local Scope of Practice guidelines. This includes the ability to independently evaluate and treat patients who seek physical therapy services. Reviews and screens patient's medical record for appropriateness of intervention, noting any potential risks or contraindications to treatment and to assist in guiding the evaluation process. Screens inpatients for readiness to begin PT. Performs comprehensive evaluations and examinations of patients who have or may develop impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions related to conditions of the musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, pulmonary and/or integumentary systems. Evaluations are conducted independently, and results are documented according to departmental and Medical Center standards. Interprets findings, selects appropriate tests and measures, and integrates findings into the plan of care. Establishes a diagnosis within the scope of physical therapy and identifies the appropriate rehabilitation intervention, including referral to another provider for further consultation. Determines prognosis by incorporating examination finds with patient's preference in setting clinically appropriate treatment goals, optimize outcomes and maximize functional independence. Addresses rehabilitation potential, learning needs and patient response to education. Identifies barriers to learning and strategies to overcome them. Performs the full range of treatment procedures, modifying the treatment according to the patient's response to intervention. Attends multidisciplinary rounds of specified bed services (such as orthopedics, neurosurgery, vascular or medicine) as rehabilitation representative. May serve as liaison to that service. Recognizes adverse reactions to treatment and initiates effective action immediately. Modifies treatment plan according to patient response to best meet established goals. Documents progression and/or modifications according to Departmental and Medical Center Standards. Regularly discusses with various clinicians and other team members patient performance in current status, and continuing goals. Works effectively with treatment team members and other health care providers in coordinating the patient's total care. Attends case conferences as requested. Ensures appropriate patient referrals and discharge planning in concert with the multidisciplinary treatment team. Makes certain that patient has been assessed for appropriate DME (durable medical equipment) and that such equipment has been ordered and issued. Measures, fits and instructs patients for complex adaptive equipment and assistive devices. Provides documentation that justifies medical need for all adaptive equipment and assistive device requests. Procures DME for eligible veterans who are receiving care in the community. Follows all infection control and safety guidelines. Provides clinical oversight of Physical Therapist Assistants. 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. 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 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. 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. 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. 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 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. Education, Experience and Licensure. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level, hold a valid unrestricted state license and demonstrate all the KSAs below: 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 10 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: One Year of Physical Therapy experience in the Women's Health Pelvic Physical Therapy specialty. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit 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: Physical Requirements: This work involves standing and walking for about 50% of a normal workday, In addition, the Physical Therapist must be able to squat, kneel, push and pull, and lift loads from the ground and from above the shoulder height. The physical demand level as defined by the Department of Labor is 'Medium' requiring the occasional lifting of 20-50lbs, the frequent lifting of 10-25lbs and the constant lifting of 10lbs during the normal workday. Physical Therapy requires manual dexterity and coordination to use modalities such as ultrasound and TENS units, and to demonstrate the use of mobility equipment such as walkers and wheelchairs. In addition, physical therapists must be able to modify such equipment using tools including screwdrivers and wrenches. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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: 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.