Incumbent is assigned to the SCI (Spinal Cord Injury) Program. Develops the physical therapy program for patients treated on the SCI Unit.
Goals of treatment are to demonstrate advanced skills with the SCI population to evaluate physical and cognitive functioning; maintain, restore, and enhance performance and potential for independent living; maximize function within their lifestyle and aide in the understanding of disability, and recommend appropriate placement or discharge plan.
NOTE: THE 2-PAGE RESUME REQUIREMENT DOES NOT APPLY TO THIS OCCUPATIONAL SERIES. FOR MORE INFORMATION, REFER TO REQUIRED DOCUMENTS BELOW. Duties will include, but are not limited to: Demonstrates advanced skills in Orthotics/Custom Seating to include comprehensive and procedural knowledge of human anatomy and physiology, movement science, pathology/pathophysiology, pain science. Medical and surgical considerations, and orthopedics physical therapy theory and practice.
They are familiar with kinesiology/clinical biomechanics, neural control of movement, ergonomics and locomotion as it relates to spinal cord injury. Familiar with orthotics and custom seating as it relates to spinal cord injury. Can recognize the signs and symptoms of disease/injury as it pertains to orthopedics and spinal cord injury. They recognize the progression of disease/injury processes, pathokinesiology, tissue inflammation, healing and repair.
Familiar with spinal cord injury and peripheral neuropathic pain physiology, and central nervous system pain physiology. They demonstrate abilities to read imaging studies, are familiar with pharmacology, ancillary tests, and nonsurgical medical interventions and their implications for orthopedic physical therapy. They are familiar with surgical interventions and their implications for orthopedic physical therapy and spinal cord injury.
Can demonstrate skills in exercise physiology, manual therapy techniques, motor control and motor learning, therapeutic exercise, and principles of prevention and wellness. Continuously re-evaluates patient performance making appropriate modifications to the treatment plan as indicated.
Regularly presents patient information to the physician and other team members regarding patient physical and psycho-social performance, current status, and continuing goals in interdisciplinary meetings. Mentors peers in orthopedic evaluation and issuance by acting as a resource on Orthotics/Custom Seating to both locally and nationally; clinicians mentored will be VA therapists as well as private sector therapists.
Develops educational offerings for occupational therapists, recreation therapists, non-therapy staff (including nursing, social work, psychologists) on orthopedic interventions.
SCI PT Clinical Specialist works with multi-disciplinary staff problem-solving Veteran accommodation for orthopedic interventions which may include changes to room and home set-up Provides advanced expertise and training to physical therapists and physical therapy assistants assigned to the SCI service with additional focus on Orthotics/Custom Seating clinical interventions.
Provides input to SCI Therapy Manager for the development and/or revision of physical therapy department policy and procedures as requested. Demonstrates skills in developing protocols and procedures for intervention programs based on current physical therapy theory, recent research and practice. Responsible for coordinating patients' physical therapy schedule with other disciplines so that quality of care is maintained.
Documents initial evaluation, writes notes, completes discharge summaries all within departmental time standards. Provides input for family conferences, input for SCI team meetings, and any other meetings impacting the patient's care Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm, occasional Saturdays Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Qualifications requirements continue: Assignment: For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and variety. Clinical Specialists spend at least 25% or greater of their time working with specialized population(s) within their department.
Physical therapists at this level perform assignments in specialty areas such as geriatrics, neurology, cardiopulmonary, orthopedics, spinal cord injury, amputee, wound care, chronic pain, electromyography, women's health or pelvic health, polytrauma, brain injury, lymphedema, vestibular, assistive technology, seating and mobility.
The individual is assigned responsibility for serving as the subject matter expert in the content specialty area and as a consultant to physical therapy and other medical center staff in evaluating and treating patients in the specialty area. Clinical Specialists have advanced knowledge and demonstrate expert clinical practice skills in providing assessment and treatment interventions across the continuum of care.
He/she utilizes advanced knowledge and expertise to modify treatment plans and to identify therapeutic activity interventions based on the changing needs, goals and performance of patients. Clinical Specialists have advanced training in specialized technology related to their area of practice. He/she establishes and maintains contact with other health care providers involved in patient care via written, telephone, and personal communication on a regular basis.
He/she exercises expert professional judgment to establish appropriate discharge planning recommendations to ensure safe discharge from inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation programs. If the medical center has a PT residency program, the clinical specialist may be on faculty for the program.
Preferred Experience: The preferred candidate will have three years SCI PT experience, RIDE Certified, Orthotic/Prosethetic certification / licensure, and/or experience with wounds and fracture management in SCI. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13.
Physical Requirements: This position requires light to heave lifting (under 15 pounds to 44 pounds and over), light to heave carrying ( under 15 pounds to 44 pounds and over), reaching over shoulders, use of fingers, both hands required, walking, standing, crawling, kneeling, repeated bending, both legs required, ability to rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, mental and emotional stability.
Environmental factors include: outside and inside and working alone. Operation of motor vehicle. 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/.
Raven.Jacques@va.gov · 785-817-2308
This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.
The posted pay range is $120021 – $156029/yr.
This position requires a Other security clearance.
Applications close on 2026-09-25.
This position is open under the 'Fed Internal Search' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government
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