Physical Therapist

Full Job Description

The Physical Therapist is assigned to the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service located within the Medicine and Therapeutic Care Line at the Syracuse VAMC, which provides a full range of patient care services, education, and research.

The Syracuse VA PM&RS provides physical therapy services to Veterans at the Syracuse VAMC, Binghamton CBOC, Rome CBOC and at the Fort Drum Military Base.

It also provides physical therapy services to Veterans at their homes.

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: Citizenship. Candidates must be a citizen of the United States.

After a determination is made that it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens, necessary personnel may be appointed on a temporary basis under authority of 38 U.S.C.

7405 without regard to the citizenship requirements of 38 U.S.C. 7402 or any other law prohibiting the employment of or payment of compensation to a person who is not a citizen of the United States.

Candidates must meet all other requirements for the grade and position concerned. 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. 2.

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

NOTE: Prior to 1995 the terminal degree for PT's was either a bachelors 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. 4. 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 f eld 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. Grade Determination.

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

GS-12 Physical Therapist (Full Performance Level) 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 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities below: 1.

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. 2.

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.

3.

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.

4.

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.

5.

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.

6. 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: One (1) to two (2) years experience. 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 GS-12.

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.

Major Duties:

Major duties and responsibilities of the position include but are not limited to: Responsible for administering physical therapy programs to Veterans.

Provides evaluation and treatment in a timely fashion; chart review will allow the incumbent an opportunity to assess appropriateness of the referral and possible contraindications for treatment.

Utilizes evaluation data to implement comprehensive Veteran treatment plans, involving the Veteran in a goal-setting process, if feasible.

Modifies treatment plan according to evaluative findings on an ongoing basis to meet established goals.

He/she recognizes even subtle responses or adverse reactions to treatment, initiates effective action immediately, and advises other health care team members as indicated.

Coordinates and employs several treatment approaches simultaneously to accomplish complex treatment objectives. Demonstrates knowledge of and compliance with all emergency and disaster procedures.

Initiates appropriate referrals to physicians and other clinicians/services as indicated. Responsible for the care, upkeep, and sanitation of equipment in assigned work environment.

Organizes and maintains clinical and administrative space in order to optimize safety, infection control and efficiency.

Schedules Veterans for treatment, considering priority and frequency of care and coordinates schedules with other members of the treatment team.

Attends and participates in all mandatory departmental staff meetings and training sessions.

Plans and presents in-service education programs, when requested and/or as needed to the PT section, PM&R staff, and other services, as appropriate. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m.

- 4:30 p.m. Telework: Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 21S57-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.