Physical Therapist

Physical Therapist

Major duties include but not limited to:

• Provides autonomous physical therapy clinical decision-making within the Reno VA's Direct Access and PACT-based outpatient care model.
• Independently evaluates and treats Veterans presenting for physical therapy across the Reno VA and its surrounding rural catchment area, including Veterans from Northern Nevada and surrounding communities.
• Partners with Veterans, families or significant others, primary care providers, and the interdisciplinary team to establish treatment goals and individualized plans of care through ongoing communication.
• Adapts treatment approaches for Veterans who are medically complex, acutely ill, or experiencing significant physical, cognitive, behavioral health, or emotional impairments.
• Demonstrates advanced clinical reasoning and independent problem-solving by recognizing subtle but clinically meaningful changes in a Veteran's condition and modifying the plan of care accordingly.
• Performs and interprets specialized tests and procedures to evaluate outcomes in the Reno VA PACT population, including comprehensive multisystem assessments addressing cardiopulmonary, integumentary, neurological, lymphatic, pain, mobility, and functional systems.
• Integrates relevant laboratory findings, pulmonary function testing, imaging, electrophysiological studies, and other diagnostic information into comprehensive physical therapy evaluation and treatment planning.
• Applies knowledge of epidemiology, population health, and lifespan management to address the needs of Veterans living in Northern Nevada, including those with chronic disease, complex disability, limited access to specialty services, and transportation or geographic barriers.
• Identifies the need for and recommends referrals to other medical specialties and services based on findings obtained during evaluation and ongoing treatment.
• Recognizes early indicators of chronic disease, medical deterioration, behavioral health concerns, depression, and suicide risk, and initiates appropriate referral, consultation, screening, or follow-up.
• Applies clinical appropriateness criteria when recommending laboratory testing, imaging, electrophysiological studies, or other diagnostic procedures.
• Evaluates the need for prosthetic and orthotic devices, submits appropriate requests, and makes clinically indicated modifications to support mobility, safety, positioning, and function.
• Maintains accurate, timely, and comprehensive documentation in the electronic health record in accordance with accepted physical therapy standards, VA policy, Reno VA procedures, and Rehabilitation Service requirements.
• Participates in PACT, Rehabilitation Service, and interdisciplinary team meetings and uses verbal, written, and electronic communication to coordinate care and support clinical decision-making across the Reno VA and affiliated care settings.
• Contributes to the development, implementation, and evaluation of outpatient physical therapy services designed to meet the needs of the Reno VA's diverse and geographically dispersed Veteran population.
• Provides consultation, education, and clinical support to other disciplines and services regarding mobility, fall risk, exercise, pain, vestibular disorders, functional decline, and rehabilitation needs.
• Assists with the care of Veterans outside the primary specialty area of outpatient physical therapy when departmental needs require, while maintaining patient safety, professional standards, and scope of practice.

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday (hours to be discussed with hiring manager)

Telework: Not Eligible

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized