Physical Therapist - EDRP

Full Job Description

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program.

You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment.

Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application.

Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply. *HPTs who are on track to graduate/complete the requirements should respond as if they have met the requirements.

Provide details in the narrative sections of the assessment.

Basic Requirements: The basic requirements for employment as a VHA physical therapist are prescribed by Public Law 96-151 codified in 38 U.S.C. § 7402.

To qualify for appointment, all applicants for the position of physical therapist in VHA must meet the following: a. 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. b. 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. c. 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. NOTE.

Individuals who have or have had multiple licenses and had any such license revoked for professional misconduct, professional incompetency or substandard care, or who surrendered such license after receiving written notice of potential termination of such license by the state for professional misconduct, professional incompetence, or substandard care, are not eligible for appointment to the position unless such revoked or surrendered license is fully restored (38 U.S.C 7402(f)).

Effective November 30, 1999, this is a requirement for employment.

This requirement does not apply to licensed physical therapists on VA rolls as of November 30, 1999, provided the individual maintains a continuous appointment and is not disqualified for employment by any subsequent revocations or voluntary surrenders of State license, registration or certification.

d. Loss of Credential. A PT who fails to maintain the required license must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment.

At the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may be reassigned to another occupation, if qualified, and if a placement opportunity exists. e. 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. f. 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. See Chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part.

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 appointment in paragraph 2, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates.

GS-11 Physical Therapist (Entry) (a) Education, Experience, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. (NOTE: See exception to licensure requirement in subparagraph 3c above.) (b) Assignment.

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 non-patient care duties to non-licensed staff.

PTs that are not licensed must practice under the close supervision of a licensed PT GRADE DETERMINATION CONTINUED IN EDUCATION SECTION BELOW Preferred Experience: 1 year of physical therapy experience in an skilled nursing facility/community living center setting Active participation in continuing educational opportunities Has experience as a clinical instructor for physical therapist and physical therapist assistant students Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

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

Physical Requirements: Standing, walking, squatting, kneeling, climbing, repeated bending, twisting, sitting, and changing from one position to another intermittently, up to 6 hours a day.

Both hands required, use of fingers, both legs are required. The ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously.

Reaching above shoulders, heavy lifting (Intermittent; 45 pounds and over), heavy carrying (Intermittent; 45 pounds and over), straight pushing and pulling (Intermittent; up to 5 hours).

Mental and emotional stability is required. Near vision correctable at 13" to 16". Hearing (aid permitted). Major Duties:

The staff physical therapist's primary function is to provide direct patient care to patients undergoing physical therapy care at the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System (CTVHCS).

Incumbent is responsible for initial assessment, re-assessment, treatment planning, treatment implementation, reporting, and documentation of all referred patients within departmental and professional standards in the acute care, outpatient, and community living center (CLC) settings located at the Temple, Texas facility and to the Austin or Waco facilities as needs dictate.

Serves as a resource in a specified area of expertise. He/ She participates in organizing educational activities and special projects and facilitates staff development.

Duties include but are not limited to: GS-11 Clinical Practice-Patient Evaluations 1) Provides effective and efficient care 2) Provides patient care duties as it relates to respective clinical service, following accreditation guidelines, professional code of ethics, and standards of practice which include evaluation/ re-evaluation, treatment planning, and implementation and resultant documentation.

3) Implements plans that will achieve the outlined goals and administer individual treatment as ordered and consistent with rehab goals.

4) Determines equipment needs and assists the patient in obtaining assistive devices/adaptive equipment and wheelchairs. 5) Instructs and trains patients and their families.

6) Responsible for daily maintenance of the therapy areas and equipment. 7) Demonstrates sound clinical reasoning during patient care to maximize outcome and safety.

8) Accesses information for patient care. 9) Completes accurate/timely documentation.

10) Maintains accurate and timely documentation to include clinical interventions provided, discharge and equipment recommendations, charges, and prescriptions.

11) Writes legible progress notes or other documentation which accurately reflects treatment received.

12) Accurately reports the type of services provided to each patient daily and billing and submits them in a timely manner.

13) Demonstrates effective time management and meets productivity expectations. 14) Meets productivity targets for work area established by supervisor. 15) Adheres to a schedule.

16) Is timely and punctual and is prepared for meetings.

GS-12 Clinical Practice-Patient Evaluations 1) Functions within the scope of physical therapy practice to perform physical therapy services, including evaluations, objective tests and measures, and providing treatment.

2) Ensures patient scheduling requests are submitted in a manner as to not negatively impact other clinical staff yet meet the patient's needs.

3) Reviews patient medical records to assess the appropriateness of physical therapy intervention, noting any potential risks or contraindications to treatment.

4) Performs evaluations and assessments of medical/surgical conditions in the Outpatient, Acute Care, and CLC populations, including specialized objective tests and evaluations.

5) Documents evaluations to include medical history, results, and interpretation of appropriate functional tests and measurements.

Identifies when tests may need to be adapted because of complex disabilities to determine the level of function when using standardized and non-standardized tests.

6) Performs thorough PT evaluations that address rehabilitation potential, behavior, motor skills, and psychosocial development at an age-appropriate level.

7) Identifies patient's barriers to learning and develops strategies to overcome them to ensure accurate patient evaluation.

8) Reviews and analyses the effectiveness of treatments and develop new treatment programs which apply current research and evidence-based practice.

Assists/encourage other Physical Therapy staffing the same.

9) Demonstrates a full professional understanding of the theories or treatment of physical therapy and their proper application through the use of therapeutic physical rehabilitation and reconditioning procedures.

10) Modifies treatment plan according to patient response to best meet established goals. Documents treatment progression and/or modifications according to Departmental and Medical Center standards.

11) Recognizes adverse reactions to treatment and initiates effective action immediately.

Other duties as assigned Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 00000/Physical Therapist Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.

Contact VISN17EDRP2@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized