Physical Therapist

Summary This Physical Therapist position is under the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service of the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center located in the Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in Katy - Texas. Provides outpatient Physical Therapy (PT) services at the CBOC - mainly through referrals from various approved providers. Independently offers PT services to patients as needed or assigned - ensuring thorough - timely and high-quality care for our Veterans. Summary This Physical Therapist position is under the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service of the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center located in the Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in Katy - Texas. Provides outpatient Physical Therapy (PT) services at the CBOC - mainly through referrals from various approved providers. Independently offers PT services to patients as needed or assigned - ensuring thorough - timely and high-quality care for our Veterans. Qualifications 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 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 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 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 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 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-11 Physical Therapist (Entry) (a) Education - Experience - and Licensure None beyond the basic requirements GS-12 Physical Therapist (Full Performance Level) (a) 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: (b) 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: Current experience in an outpatient physical therapy setting evaluating and treating patients with a broad range of diagnoses using evidence-based interventions and best clinical practices The ideal candidate will have a proven track record managing diverse patient populations - including orthopedic - neurologic - musculoskeletal - and geriatric conditions Demonstrated ability to independently manage a high-volume outpatient clinic - including conducting four or more evaluations per day while maintaining efficient patient flow - timely documentation - and high-quality - patient-centered care for a diverse caseload Strong clinical and interdisciplinary collaboration skills - with experience developing individualized plans of care - coordinating treatment with interdisciplinary teams - and achieving positive functional outcomes Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit 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-11 to GS-12 Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation - see Duties section for essential job duties of the position May require standing - lifting - carrying - sitting - stooping - bending - puling - and pushing May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions the area is adequately lighted - heated - and ventilated However - the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations. Duties Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional This Physical Therapist position provides Physical Therapy (PT) services primarily in the Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) Outpatient therapy clinic in Katy - TX Will also provide PT services in other therapy clinics - at MEDVAMC - or virtually as needed/requested May include approved outings into the community Duties of the Physical Therapist include - but are not limited to: Demonstrates knowledge of evidence-based Physical Therapy (PT) practice for patients who seek PT services Skilled in performing examination and evaluation of individual 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 Independently develops and incorporates examination findings to implement an appropriate patient centered PT rehabilitation plan of care for a variety of diagnoses while using appropriate judgment to modify treatment for changing medical conditions Must demonstrate knowledge - skills and abilities required to perform more complex patient treatment procedures Communicates effectively - both orally and in writing - with patients - families - caregivers - and healthcare professionals to facilitate the multidisciplinary treatment process Independently provides clinical oversight of PT Assistants as well as students on clinical affiliations who are in Doctoral PT or PT Assistant Programs Following referral/consult from a physician or other approved provider - reviews the medical record and independently evaluates each patient to determine functional deficits and the best method to accomplish rehabilitation goals Applies recognized Physical Therapy (PT) treatment procedures correctly - safely - and modifies these techniques in such a manner as not to interfere with any traction devices - surgical drains - catheters - immobilizing appliances - respiratory aides - or monitoring devices Recognizes adverse reaction to treatment - significantly altered physical or mental status of patients - and reports to appropriate medical authority Documents initial findings - treatment goals - equipment recommendations - treatment provided - patient progress - patient/family education - and discharge summary in patient's medical record Evaluates and recommends appropriate assistive devices and adaptive equipment as indicated following an assessment Accurately completes timely Prosthetics consults for recommended items Fits devices appropriately for patient needs and instructs patient/care provider in the use of these devices Completes patient and/or family training as indicated Participates in team conferences - rounds - discharge planning meetings - specialty clinics - and other assigned medical meetings Consults with physicians - other therapists and medical personnel - the patient - and as indicated the family and/or caregiver - to develop and maximize benefit of the patient's therapy program Observes infection control procedures - safety and treatment precautions pertinent to the patient's condition or disease process - and the specific treatment technique or procedure being utilized Delegates plan of care and procedures to appropriate and qualified personnel as the situation indicates i.e. - PT Assistants/Aids/Health Tech - students - etc. - or other persons with expertise indicated Oversees the delegated procedures and monitors the plan of care Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 08:00 a.m to 4:30 p.m weekend/Holiday work may be required (subject to change based on the needs of the facility.) Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66 Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Available - per organizational policy Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 580-02141-F 580-02142-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized #J-18808-Ljbffr U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs