Physical Therapist

Full Job Description

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Department is actively hiring for (1) Licensed Physical Therapist.

This incumbent is responsible for administering physical therapy programs to adult and geriatric adult patients referred from all areas of the Medical Center, either directly or through the Clinical Director, Rehabilitation Services, or staff Physiatrist.

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: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.

Licensure: Must 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.

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 post­baccalaureate 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.

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).

Grandfathering Provision: All licensed PTs employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation.

For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:1.

Employees grandfathered into the GS-0633 occupational series as PTs may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance Journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation.2.

PTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of this qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of this standard.3.

PTs initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration, meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard and must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.4.

If PTs who are grandfathered under this provision leave the occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.

Grade Determinations: GS-12 Physical Therapist (Full Performance Level) 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 in your resume or a separate document if you have at least 1 year of experience: 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 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.

Preferred Experience: Variety of outpatient experiences , primarily orthopedic experience but also a mix of neurological , vestibular and amputee care.

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.

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.

See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. Major Duties:

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The incumbent is a licensed Physical Therapist who is responsible for administering physical therapy programs to adult and geriatric adult patients referred from all areas of the Medical Center, either directly or through the Clinical Director, Rehabilitation Services, or staff Physiatrist.

Major Duties as listed are performed in various locations of the medical center to include outpatient PT clinic. Major duties as above with 100% of time in the Physical Therapy clinics.

Clinical Duties: 1) Incumbent completes the 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 2) Incumbent's evaluation includes a medical history and results and interpretation of the appropriate tests and measurements performed.

Tests are frequently complex and may need to be adapted because of multiple physical disabilities or present medical condition.

3) Incumbent utilizes evaluation date to implement comprehensive patient treatment plans, involving patient in a goal-setting process, if feasible.

4) Incumbent modifies treatment plan according to evaluative findings on an ongoing basis to meet short and long-term goals.

5) Incumbent demonstrates a full professional understanding of the theories of treatment of physical therapy and their proper application through which the use of therapeutic physical rehabilitation and reconditioning procedures are implemented.

6) Incumbent recognizes adverse reaction to treatment and initiates effective action immediately.

7) Incumbent employs unusual motivational techniques to enlist patient participation and adapts equipment and procedures to carry out a full range of complex treatment activities.

8) Incumbent involves the patient, family members, caregivers, and pertinent health care staff in the treatment process by maintaining effective communications.

9) Incumbent communicates readily with the multidisciplinary treatment team, advising the team of patient's needs and progress, exchanging discharge planning information with them.

This communication occurs through team meetings, written reports, and informal communication, such as personal and telephone conversations. Written communication is accomplished in a timely fashion.

10) Incumbent plans and implements appropriate patient education programs, involving the patient, family members and caregivers in the instructional process.

11) Incumbent works with a high degree of independence, exercising independent professional judgment in planning and carrying out treatment programs to meet complex treatment objectives.

Incumbent exercises originality in solving problems not covered by these guides, making adaptations and modifications of treatment plans and procedures without supervisory guidance, in order to meet the complex and highly varying needs of patients.

Administrative Duties: Incumbent places return to clinic orders for his/her patients for treatment, considering priority and frequency of care and coordinates schedules with other members of the treatment team.

Flexibility of schedule must be maintained to allow for unscheduled patients and for family conferences.

1) Incumbent maintains accurate records, attendance, progress, and final disposition, and submits necessary monthly and quarterly information in a timely and accurate manner.

Incumbent attends and participates in all departmental staff meetings and training sessions.

Incumbent plans and presents in service education programs, when requested, to the PT section, PM&R staff, and other services, as appropriate.

2) Incumbent is responsible for the care, upkeep, and sanitation of equipment used and may perform the regular duties of a higher-level therapist in his/her absence.

3) Incumbent can perform as a Student Clinical Training Supervisor, which includes planning, scheduling, coordinating, evaluating, and implementing the student affiliation program.

4) Incumbent is responsible for student orientation, instruction, and counseling, and acts as a liaison with affiliated colleges and universities, participating with faculty members in evaluation and revision of program and curriculum.

Work Schedule: 8:00-4:30pm, M-F Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 55225F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized