Physical Therapist (Amputation Clinical Specialist)

Quick Facts

• Role: Physical Therapist serving as an Amputation Clinical Specialist within Physical Medicine & Rehab Services
• Focus: Direct specialty PT care for patients with amputations and related rehabilitation needs
• Scheduling: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM PDT
• Telework: Not a telework position

Description

Provide direct patient care and specialty rehabilitation services for individuals with current or planned amputations, including those at high risk. Work within interdisciplinary amputation specialty team clinics, delivering comprehensive evaluations and individualized treatment plans using advanced PT techniques and whole-person care modalities. Provide expert consultation on prosthetic candidacy, phantom limb pain, seating/wheeled mobility, adaptive equipment needs, and coordinate care across acute, inpatient rehabilitation, and outpatient settings.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct specialty patient care at least 25% of the time
• Participate in interdisciplinary amputation specialty team clinics (synchronous or asynchronous care)
• Perform comprehensive evaluations (ROM, strength, balance, mobility, sensation, posture) and differential diagnosis; screen for systemic conditions
• Develop and implement individualized treatment plans using advanced PT and whole-person care modalities (e.g., therapeutic exercises/activities, gait and balance training, neuromuscular re-education, manual therapy, electrical stimulation, traction, iontophoresis, biofeedback, strength/endurance training, aquatic therapy)
• Assess adaptive equipment needs and ability to use devices (assistive ambulation devices, manual wheelchairs, scooters, TENS units, etc.)
• Re-evaluate and update plans regularly and present updates during team meetings
• Contribute to interdisciplinary assessments for prosthetic candidacy, functional prognosis without a prosthesis, and rehabilitation needs
• Coordinate therapy and equipment needs with other care providers/service teams
• Manage phantom limb pain and seating/wheeled mobility needs
• Collect and interpret performance measures and patient-reported outcomes
• Support progression of rehabilitation and prosthetic goals, including prosthetic limb acquisition, training, and adoption
• Cover PT and clinic appointments during absences for the Regional Amputation Center Amputation Rehabilitation Coordinator and provide care coverage across units as coordinated by leadership

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship
• Proficiency in written and spoken English
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Full, current, unrestricted PT license in a U.S. state/territory/commonwealth or the District of Columbia
• CAPTE-accredited PT education and minimum education/experience combination (Bachelor’s + 5 years; Master’s + 2 years; or Doctorate)
• Selective Service registration for eligible males
• Complete pre-employment onboarding and required identification verification
• Comply with VA urinalysis screening requirement if selected and with seasonal influenza vaccination requirement
• For GS-13 clinical specialist level: 1 year progressively complex experience equivalent to GS-12 plus one of the qualifying specialty criteria (2,000 specialty clinical hours, ABPTS-recognized board certification, fellowship completion, or additional advanced related degree)

Benefits

Federal government comprehensive benefits package for employees and their families (eligibility depends on position type).