Physical Therapist

Full Job Description

This position serves as the Community Care Physical Therapist and part of the Rehabilitation Therapy Referral Coordination Team and is located within the Washington DC VAMC.

It is aligned under the office of Community Care (CC) for review of outpatient rehabilitation care in the community.

It will serve as a member of the Community Care Clinical team and the Rehabilitation Therapy RCI to collaborate on utilization of medical center/community care/VISN therapy resources.

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: To be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C., chapter 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA, applicants must be proficient in written and spoken English Education and Experience: The individual must meet at least one of the requirements below: (1) Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist.

OR (2) Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. OR (3) Doctorate degree in physical therapy. NOTE: 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.

The Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT) is a non-profit organization created to assist the United States (U.S.) Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly INS) and U.S.

state licensing authorities by evaluating the credentials of Foreign Educated Physical Therapists (FEPTs) who wish to immigrate and work in the U.S.

Although the licensing of physical therapists in the U.S.

is a right and responsibility of each jurisdiction, foreign educated individuals must undergo an educational credentials assessment for substantial equivalency to the first professional degree in the US.

The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) is committed to protect the public and to provide leadership within the field and practice of physical therapy.

FSBPT's Foreign Educated Standards Committee has developed standards that represent "best practices" in evaluation services.

The Credentials Evaluation Standards were developed with input from the physical therapy credentialing agencies that are licensed to use FSBPT's Coursework Tool.

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. Grade Determinations: Experience GS-11: Education, Experience and Licensure.

None beyond the basic requirements. Experience GS-12: One year of experience, equivalent to the GS-11 grade. (GS 11 KSAs and assignments listed below) Experience equivalent to GS-11.

PTs at this level are responsible for providing assessment and treatment intervention.

PTs plan and modify treatment based on a patient's response to intervention and/or change in medical condition.

PTs at this level may be given general assignments in any physical therapy program area where advanced specialized knowledge is not required or may serve as the sole PT such as in an outpatient clinic.

Licensed PTs may provide oversight and delegate patient care responsibilities to a Physical Therapist Assistant, and/or delegate nonpatient care duties to non-licensed staff.

PTs that are not licensed must practice under the close supervision of a licensed PT.

Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities: In addition to meeting the experience requirements for this grade level, the candidate must fully demonstrate the following KSAs: 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 test 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.

Physical Requirements: 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.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Major Duties:

Duties include, but not limited to: Administrative/Program Management Actively participates in program development and/or process improvements relevant to the CC program and PM&RS to improve efficiency and quality of care provided to patients.

Monitors outcomes, participates in strategic planning and implements strategies for program improvement for the provision of physical therapy services at the Washington DC Veteran Affairs Medical Center (DC VAMC).

Represents Physical Medicine and Rehab service as well as the physical therapy department in the development of policies and procedures, quality assurance monitors and related standards of care.

Serves as a point of contact providing guidance to PM&R, providers and facility leadership on matters related to CC services.

Collaborates with Rehab department, clinical specialists, PM&R and Primary Care service leaders to develop local policy for requesting outpatient rehab services through the CC program.

Attends educational and development meetings for PM&R service, Physical Therapy Department, and those specific to the CC program.

Aware of and adheres to the department/service/facility's values, mission, rules, policies and procedures and the American Physical Therapy Association Standards of Practice and Standards of Ethics to ensure quality patient care.

Aware of safety concerns, regulations, policies and procedures, and employs appropriate safety practices Clinical Care Provides therapeutic physical therapy care independently, characterized by sound assessment, treatment planning, goal setting, treatment implementation, evaluation, and follow-up of assigned patients.

Assessment and treatment reflect professionally recognized, theory-based practice and utilized strategies to address the unique physical, developmental, and psychosocial needs of specific patient populations.

Able to establish a diagnosis within the scope of Physical therapy and identify appropriate rehabilitation intervention including referral to other providers for further consultation as clinically indicated.

Collaborates with and shares responsibility with other outpatient therapists to provide for care of patients primarily in the outpatient setting, with cross coverage for inpatient as census/schedule dictates.

Plans and administers physical therapy to patients with multiple, severe, acute physical/neurological/psychological disabilities.

All phases of evaluation, treatment, teaching, discharge planning, and follow-up are documented thoroughly and in a timely manner.

Participates in planning care for patients with physical therapy needs by collaborating with other health care providers and through regular participation at multidisciplinary rounds.

Organizes and prioritizes care, considering the patient's unique needs/preferences/resources. Completes appointments in an organized, timely manner.

Initiates/participates in patient/family/caregiver teaching. Initiates/coordinates available resources within and outside the hospital to facilitate continuity of care.

Utilizes equipment appropriately, ensuring safe operation at all times. Responds appropriately to emergency situations; demonstrates compliance with fire, disaster, and infection control policies.

Participates in developing departmental protocols, policies, and teaching materials.

Perform set-up and pre-cleaning for all reusable medical equipment before being sent for re-processing Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorize