The Physical Therapist is assigned to the Physical Therapy Department within Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) of the VA Maryland Healthcare System, which is a Complexity Level Ib facility. 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. 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 Education and experience. The individual must meet at least one of the requirements below: Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. 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. 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. Grade Determination: 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 KSAs below: 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: At least 3 to 5 years of ICU 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 in the range of GS-12. Physical Requirements: The incumbent of the position will meet and maintain physical and drug test program requirements for the position as required. There will be periods of walking and ambulating patients, providing patient transfers, some lifting of 50 pounds and supporting patients. ["VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY Major Duties include but are not limited to: Assists in planning, developing various treatment programs to meet patient needs Supports and promotes all programs of PM&RS. Assists with orientation of new Physical Therapy staff. Establishes and maintains contact with other health care providers involved in patient care Resolves problems that interfere with delivery of Physical Therapy service. Assists in development, planning and implementation of monitors of quality of care with respect to PM&RS Conducts record keeping related to patient care documentation and quality improvement (QI) data collection as specified by the Supervisor, Therapy Department. Reviews and makes recommendations on supply and equipment acquisition. Responsible for the examination and treatment of patients referred to the Physical Therapy Department. Assesses patient dysfunction using appropriate tests/tools. Resolves problems that interfere with delivery of physical therapy care. Demonstrates the teaching skills required to provide education to patients, family members, caregivers, employees, students, and coworkers. Communicates effectively with other internal and external health care providers. Functions autonomously in carrying out patient education, specialized treatments, and applying physical therapy procedures for which competency has been established and in accordance with laws or regulations and APTA documents. Modifies the treatment plan, therapeutic activities and interventions based on the changing needs, goals, and performance of the patient. Performs competent written documentation of initial examinations, progress notes, and discharge summaries. Demonstrates advanced competency in knowledge of electronic documentation and computer skills. Enters consults within the PM&RS Service (i.e., to Occupational or Recreational Therapy) or to the Prosthetics service for rehabilitation equipment in accordance with PM&RS and medical center policies. Reviews and co-signs notes written by the PTA to whom the PT has delegated patient care or for patients seen by the PTA within the PT-DME clinic. Acts as Clinical Instructor for affiliating schools for physical therapy. x Educates other facility personnel in the scope of PM&RS services and programs involving a variety of health care specialties. Continually seeks to improve knowledge and skill by review of current literature, participation in in-service training, and attendance at continuing education programs especially in their area of expertise. Continues education and training, focused on maintaining and improving competency in all general clinical functions but will also include coursework directed toward the development and improvement of clinical instruction, data collections and reporting techniques, and utilization and reporting of outcome measures. Maintaining state licensure. Completing all VAMHCS mandatory training in a timely manner. Completing Event Capture and Encounter information in accordance with VAMHCS guidelines. If assigned as Out-patient therapist: Complete check in and check out for each schedule encounter using the scheduling system. Schedule and reschedule as needed when program assistance is not available. Maintain required education for access to scheduling menu. Using the computer system for storing and retrieving electronic documents and files, transmitting and receiving e-mail, activating printers, requesting leave, and accessing the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) Demonstrates awareness of safety hazards and takes appropriate corrective action. Assists in the establishment of clinic and practice safety guidelines impacting all Physical Therapy patients and programs. x Adheres to infections control programs. Assures the cleanliness, maintenance, repairs, and successful operation of all Physical Therapy equipment, treatment areas, and operational supplies. Protects printed and electronic files containing sensitive data in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, Federal regulations, VA statutes and policy, and VHA policy. Protects the data from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion. Follows applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files, release of access codes, etc. Work Schedule: M-F, 8:00am -4:30pm Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 24242-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized"]

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