Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist) - VISN 23 Home and Community Based Services Program IDT Job in Eagan, MN

Summary

This job is open to

• Internal to an agency

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

Duties

**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:

1. 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.
2. Applies advanced physical therapy clinical knowledge and judgment to engage in planning, decision-making, and evaluating VISN 23 HCBS program eligibility.
3. Systematically evaluates current practices and formulates outcomes for patient groups and organizational processes within the area of expertise.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Documents information used in clinical eligibility determinations and eligibility assessment tools.
8. Demonstrates leadership, experience, and innovative approaches in managing complex Veteran care.
9. Assists with the implementation of the MISSION Act as it relates to VISN 23 HCBS program expansion.
10. Makes initial eligibility determinations, reassessments, and appeal decisions for clinical eligibly determinations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities include:

1. Advanced skill in utilizing specialized PT training and knowledge in the complex review and care planning for home and community-based services.
2. 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.
3. Makes recommendations and referral to other medical specialties/services as needed and are identified during ongoing assessment of this complex patient population.
4. Maintains flexibility of schedule to allow for unscheduled events, Veteran/team consultation and mentoring.
5. 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.
6. 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

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.
• 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.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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 10/14/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12808260.

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.

NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

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.