The VISN 23 Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) program Physical Therapist is a member of the interdisciplinary team (IDT) responsible for providing centralized, standardized, administrative and clinical eligibility reviews for authorization of purchased in home services. The IDT works in partnership with facility HCBS teams to ensure Veterans receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 12/08/2025. 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. 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. Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. Doctorate degree in physical therapy. NOTE: Individuals must be a graduate of a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredited college or university. 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. 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. Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist), GS-13 Grade Requirements: 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. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the all 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. Preferred Experience: Geriatrics experience, Home Healthcare experience, VA community care experience and interdisciplinary team experience is preferred. **All qualifying experience you possess must be clearly described in your application package. We will not make assumptions when reviewing applications. Failure to demonstrate your experience in your resume may result in disqualification. It is strongly recommended that you write to each KSA in your application package.** Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.
**These positions may be filled by a Registered Nurse, Physical Therapist, or Occupational Therapist. These positions are advertised on separate USA jobs announcements. If you are interested in the other disciplines, you will need to apply to that vacancy announcement.** The HCBS IDT emphasizes Aging in Place and the 4Ms (What Matters, Medication, Mentation and Mobility), encouraging restorative care over dependency. The program integrates both VA purchased and internal VA-provided home and community-based care services (HCBS). The PT's responsibilities include centralized, standardized administrative and clinical eligibility reviews for authorizing VA purchased in-home services, guiding care across VISN 23, assisting with Veteran planning assessments, identifying barriers, and ensuring smooth transitions in and out of the HCBS program. Position specific duties include, but are not limited to: Utilizes knowledge of VISN 23 HCBS and VA program to match Veteran level of functioning with appropriate internal and external services, ensuring patient safety, recovery, and continuity of care. Applies advanced physical therapy clinical knowledge and judgment to engage in planning, decision-making, and evaluating VISN 23 HCBS program eligibility. Systematically evaluates current practices and formulates outcomes for patient groups and organizational processes within the area of expertise. Collaborates with interprofessional team members at VISN and facility levels to ensure consistent services, objective eligibility determinations and service delivery with clear documentation and communication. Works with VISN 23 HCBS IDT members to develop and implement strategies for program eligibility, service delivery, location, level of care discharge planning, appeals process, and performance improvement. Conducts comprehensive clinical reviews of patient records to identify the need for personal care services and/or the presence of supervision or protection needs daily. Documents information used in clinical eligibility determinations and eligibility assessment tools. Demonstrates leadership, experience, and innovative approaches in managing complex Veteran care. Assists with the implementation of the MISSION Act as it relates to VISN 23 HCBS program expansion. Makes initial eligibility determinations, reassessments, and appeal decisions for clinical eligibly determinations. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities include: Advanced skill in utilizing specialized PT training and knowledge in the complex review and care planning for home and community-based services. Clinical PT specialty experience/practice: First line evaluation, provision of therapy services, and evaluation of patients with specialized conditions/treatment protocols. Serves as a consultant and subject matter expert for health care providers regarding the delivery of care within specialized content area of physical therapy. Makes recommendations and referral to other medical specialties/services as needed and are identified during ongoing assessment of this complex patient population. Maintains flexibility of schedule to allow for unscheduled events, Veteran/team consultation and mentoring. Maintains consistent and timely documentation of clinical work in the electronic medical record in accordance with accepted program, facility, professional, and Rehabilitation Service policies and procedures. Shares knowledge and expertise about the scope of physical therapy practice and services provided across VISN 23. This is provided through direct consultation, mentorship, development of in-services and clinical training and leading by example. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30am to 4:30pm CST Telework: Telework, if approved, will be on an Ad-hoc basis only. Requires telework training and telework agreement. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized