Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist) Job in Tulsa, OK

Summary

This job is open to

• Internal to an agency

  Current federal employees of the hiring agency that posted the job announcement.

Duties

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


Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Monitors and makes work assignments, provides input on performance, resolves daily workplace issues and maintains efficient workflow.
• PTs at this level have experience that demonstrates the possession of advanced practice skills and judgment across many areas of physical therapy for both inpatient and outpatient clinics.
• Assists PTs in determining treatment options for complex patients with multiple conditions.
• Responsible for ensuring work is completed by distributing and balancing workload among employees in accordance with established work flow or job specialization; assuring timely accomplishment of the assigned workload; and assessing the status, quality and progress of work, and making day-to-day adjustments in accordance with established priorities.
• Individuals may perform ancillary assignments, including program management duties on an occasional basis, where the complexity and amount of work is not substantial.
• This individual demonstrates treatment competency that qualifies him/her to perform patient treatment procedures on Veterans with acute and chronic musculoskeletal complaints prior to being seen by their Primary Care provider or Specialist.
• The physical therapist will function within a scope of practice to request diagnostic tests and changes to treatment pending approval notification of referring practitioner in case of adverse patient response.
• The physical therapist is viewed as an expert of musculoskeletal conditions in this setting by members of each PACT team, whose skills are beyond entry-level competence, functioning beyond the full performance level, in a direct access environment.
• Establish goals, discharge plans, and referrals to other specialties based on evaluation findings and planning with the treatment team, patient, family, and/or significant other.
• Appropriately coordinates with PACT provider and triages patients to outpatient rehabilitation or CHOICE for
• Assess the need for and the patient's ability to use adaptive equipment required to increase the patient's function, independence and safety.
• As necessary, orders the appropriate equipment, issues it to patients, and trains them in the proper use of the device(s) in the PACT environment.
• Independently solves problems and helps determine diagnosis not covered by the manuals, assists with triage to radiology and specialty clinics, adapts and modifies treatment plans, activities and procedures, without supervisory guidance, to meet complex and challenging needs of the patients evaluated in PACT.
• Evaluate new adaptive aids, prosthetic and/or orthotic equipment. Coordinate with Prosthetic Department on restocking items in PACT and recommendations and appropriate modifications to enhance patient functional capabilities as evaluated in PACT.
• Routinely consults with staff and resident physicians from all specialties and guides the multidisciplinary team in musculoskeletal examination and treatment as it relates to physical therapy.
• Generally, only seeks guidance from supervisor in unusual clinical or administrative conditions. Direction and advice regarding problems of treatment, effectiveness of treatment, timeliness of treatment and documentation may be offered by administrative and clinical supervisors, as appropriate.
• Provides and arranges in-service training lectures on various treatment techniques, discusses patient designed treatment plans, and reviews algorithms for PACT Orthopedic referrals. Evaluates, revises and develops training materials, aids, methods and plans, being free to explore basic theories and principles of physical therapy, with students and other EC&R staff to include therapies, nursing, PACT providers, social work, psychology, integrative health and other ancillary staff.
• Provide clinical training and supervision to physical therapy and PACT students. Assists other staff members in identifying needs and designing and implementing programs for assigned services as needed.
• This individual is responsible for maintaining safe and healthy working conditions and environment for patients and staff. This individual will also advise staff regarding safety, health, infection control and welfare of both staff and patients in treatment areas.
• Assists with coordinating follow-up appointments with PACT providers if direct access musculoskeletal examination performed by physical therapist suggest complaints are non-mechanical in origin requiring further examination.
• Assists with coordinating referral to Emergency Room if symptoms observed during examination are consistent with serious medical condition requiring immediate intervention.

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 trial 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 / evaluation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

How You Will Be Evaluated

Required Documents

How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/23/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12797698.

1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.