Physical Therapist

Full Job Description

The Physical Therapist is assigned to the Physical Therapy Department within Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) in the Washington, DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center network.

The incumbent works as a therapist at one of the Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) in the Washington DC network.

The incumbent can use professional knowledge effectively and must possess initiative, tact, resourcefulness, and good judgment in exercising authority.

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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. 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. 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.

Non-licensed PTs, who otherwise meet the basic requirements in this standard, may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate PT at the GS-11 grade level under the authority of 38 U.S.C.

7405 (a)(1)(D) for a period not-to-exceed two years from the date of employment on the condition that such PT provide care only under the supervision of a PT who is licensed.

Failure to obtain licensure during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment. Physical Requirement.

Pre-placement and periodic physical examinations are required for hybrid occupations to ensure workers are placed in positions where they can perform the essential functions of their job considering their physical, mental and emotional capacities, without endangering their health or the health of their co-workers.

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: Prior to 1995 the terminal degree for PT's was either a bachelor's or master's degree.

In 1995 CAPTE accredited all baccalaureate, master's, and Doctor of Physical Therapy terminal degree programs.

Effective 2002, CAPTE changed its scope of accrediting activities of PT education programs to include only those programs that culminate in post- baccalaureate degrees (eliminating the baccalaureate degree).

Effective 2015, professional physical therapy education programs have only offered the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree to all new students.

NOTE: Individuals must be a graduate of a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredited college or university.

The CAPTE is the only accreditation agency recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) to accredit entry-level physical therapy programs.

Verification of accredited programs may be obtained from the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) at www.apta.org. Foreign Graduates.

Graduates of foreign physical therapy programs meet the requirements in subparagraph 3b if they have a full unrestricted and current license to practice physical therapy in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia.

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for appointments, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates.

GS-11 Physical Therapist (Entry) Educations and Experience and Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-12 Physical Therapist (Full Performance Level) Education and Licensure: Education, Experience, and Licensure.

In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level, hold a valid unrestricted state license and demonstrate all the KSAs below: Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities: Ability to make autonomous clinical decisions in a Direct Access environment.

This includes ability to independently evaluate and treat patients who seek physical therapy services.

Skill in performing examinations and evaluations of individuals who have or may develop impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions related to conditions of the musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and/or integumentary systems while considering the effects attributable to unique psychosocial and environmental factors.

Ability to interpret findings from examination and evaluation, select appropriate tests and measures, and integrate findings into the physical therapy plan of care for the full range of patient populations.

Ability to establish a diagnosis within the scope of physical therapy and identify the appropriate rehabilitation intervention, including referral to another provider for further consultation as clinically indicated.

Ability to determine physical therapy prognosis by incorporating examination findings with the patient's preferences in order to set clinically appropriate treatment goals, optimize outcomes and maximize functional independence.

Ability to independently provide clinical oversight of Physical Therapy Assistants as well as students on clinical affiliations who are in Doctoral PT Programs or PTA Programs.

Preferred Experience: Prefer a therapist with several years of experience in a fast-paced, outpatient physical therapy clinic with experience of treating a range of orthopedic conditions as well as vestibular and balance diagnoses.

Prefer dry needling certified. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 to GS-12. Major Duties:

MAJOR DUTIES: Independently providing assessment and treatment interventions for patients received through healthcare provider referrals and patient self-referrals.

Performs evaluations and examinations of individuals who have or may develop impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions related to conditions of the musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and/or integumentary systems while considering the effects attributable to unique personal and environmental factors.

Establishes a diagnosis within the scope of physical therapy and identify the appropriate intervention to treat and/or refer to another provider for further consultation when needed.

Determine physical therapy prognosis by incorporating examination findings with the patient's preferences for meaningful level of function to set clinically appropriate treatment goals and optimize outcomes.

Selects appropriate equipment needed to substitute for loss of function or to substitute for limited function of individuals they treat.

Establishes and maintains contact with other internal and external health care providers involved in patient care via written, telephone, and personal communication on a regular basis.

Demonstrates the teaching skills required to provide education to patients, family members, caregivers, employees, students, and coworkers.

Practices autonomously, making recommendations and referrals to other medical specialties/services as clinically indicated during ongoing assessment of patients under their care.

May perform ancillary assignments as deemed appropriate given the needs of a facility on an occasional basis, where the amount of work is not substantial (less than 25% of the duty time).

VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #:688-26505-F/688-26457-F. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized