Physical Therapist will be assigned to the Physical Therapy section within the NAVAHCS Physical medicine and Rehabilitation Department. The incumbent will provide treatment interventions incorporating the four-step process of assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of patient treatment services. 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. Education. Applicants must meet one of the following requirements below possessing a degree from an approved program by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredited college or university. A Bachelor's degree in physical therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist; OR A Master's Degree in physical therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist; OR A doctorate degree in physical therapy. [Transcripts must be submitted at time of application. Conferral of degree(s) must be stated on transcript(s). Unofficial transcripts(s) are acceptable] Licensure. Applicants must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice physical Therapy in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or the District of Columbia. [Copies of licensure/certification must be submitted with application packet] 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: 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. Qualifying experience includes performing duties as, but not limited to: providing assessment and treatment interventions; planning modifying treatment based on a patient's response to intervention and/or change in medical condition: giving general assignments in any physical therapy program area where advanced knowledge is not required or serving as the sole PT such as in outpatient clinic; As a Licensed PT, providing oversight and delegating patient care responsibilities to Physical Therapist Assistant, and/or delegating non-patient duties to nonlicensed staff, and Supervising the practice of non-licensed PTs. Demonstrated KSAs: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of 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. Preferred Experience: Minimum of one year working in an outpatient physical therapy capacity. Assignment. At the full performance level, PTs are responsible for independently providing assessment and treatment interventions to inpatients and outpatients received through healthcare provider referrals and patient self-referrals. Guided by differential and movement diagnoses, PTs perform 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 personal and environmental factors. PTs interpret findings from examination, diagnostic studies/medical tests and, during evaluation, select appropriate clinical tests and measures, and then integrate findings into the physical therapy plan of care for the full range of patient populations. PTs establish 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. They determine physical therapy prognosis by incorporating examination findings with the patient's preferences for meaningful level of function in order to set clinically appropriate treatment goals and optimize outcomes. Physical therapists select appropriate equipment needed to substitute for loss of function or to substitute for limited function of individuals they treat. Staff PTs at this level practice autonomously, making recommendations and referrals to other medical specialties/services as clinically indicated during ongoing assessment of patients under their care. The staff PT may also develop and provide individualized clinical training experiences for physical therapy students in facilities with established clinical experience rotations. PTs at this level may be given general assignments in any/all areas where physical therapy services are deemed necessary, and/or may serve as the sole PT at a less complex facility. Individuals 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). Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G12- Physical Therapist Qualification Standard, 02/07/2019. The full performance level of this vacancy is 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. ["VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY Physical therapists are responsible for performing a variety of duties including, but not limited to, the following: Functions within the scope of physical therapy practice to perform physical therapy services, including evaluations, Diagnostic tests and measures, and providing treatment. Performs evaluations and assessments of medical/surgical conditions in the Outpatient, Inpatient, and CLC populations, to include specialized diagnostic tests and evaluations. 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. 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. Ensures appropriate patient referrals and discharge planning in concert with the Physical Therapy and Medical Center staff. Consults with staff and resident physicians through patient presentations, attendance at ward rounds IDT specialty clinics, and/or conferences. Serves as Clinical Instructor for Physical Therapy and Physical Therapist Assistant students as assigned. Observes and evaluates their performance to assess their capabilities as physical therapists utilizing evaluation guides provided by affiliated educational institutions. The incumbent is responsible for reporting any unusual difficulties involving the treatment of patients directly to the Supervisor, Acting Supervisor, or Service Chief of PM&RS, and the referring provider as needed. Documents patient performance, patient response, and functional achievement toward treatment goals for each therapy intervention and visit. It assures a high level of productivity and quality care while providing cost-effective treatments. Assures a high level of productivity and quality care while providing cost-effective treatments. Responsible for participating and contributing to the advancement of knowledge and techniques related to Physical Therapy and other related topics. Communicates in a clear, caring, courteous and respectful manner with patients, visitors, coworkers, suppliers, supervisors and other stakeholders (internal and external) and clarifies information received. Responds to customer's requests, inquires and complaints in an accurate and timely manner and provides follow-up as needed. Refers inquiries or complaints to an appropriate source for resolution, if needed. Maintains patient confidentiality and privacy during all communications whether in writing or orally. The incumbent will display a cooperative attitude with coworkers, supervisors, interdisciplinary team members, and other services and will effectively work together to implement the sections, service's and organization's mission and goals. Demonstrates the ability to identify and resolve interpersonal or professional conflicts when dealing with patients and members of the organization. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday: 08:00 am to 4:30 PM Compressed/Flexible: Negotiable Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PD000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized"]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.