Physical Therapist

Job Title

Physical Therapist

Duties

Duties include, but are not limited to the following: Clinical Duties:

• An incumbent is a licensed physical therapist who can perform at minimum all duties at the full performance level.
• He/she is responsible for administering physical therapy programs for Veterans.
• Incumbent provides evaluation and treatment in a timely fashion; chart review will allow the incumbent an opportunity to assess the appropriateness of the referral and possible contraindications for treatment.
• Incumbent's evaluation includes a medical history and results and interpretation of the appropriate tests and measurements performed.
• Tests are frequently complex and may need to be adapted because of multiple physical disabilities or present medical condition.
• Incumbent utilizes evaluation data to implement comprehensive Veteran treatment plans, involving the Veteran in a goal-setting process, if feasible.
• Follows established protocols, ethics and guidelines of the Physical Therapy Section and the profession.
• Incumbent plans and carries out the full range of treatment where therapeutic objectives are complex and procedures involved require the application of highly specialized skills and knowledge.
• Incumbent modifies treatment plan according to evaluative findings on an ongoing basis to meet established goals.
• He/she recognizes even subtle responses or adverse reactions to treatment, initiates effective action immediately, and advises other health care team members as indicated.
• Incumbents must coordinate and employ several treatment approaches simultaneously to accomplish complex treatment objectives.
• Incumbent demonstrates a full professional understanding of the theories of treatment of physical therapy and their proper application through which the use of therapeutic physical rehabilitation and reconditioning procedures are implemented.
• Incumbent demonstrates knowledge of and compliance with all emergency and disaster procedures.
• Incumbent identifies his/her continuing education needs, attends continuing education programs and reads professional literature for the purpose of maintaining or improving knowledge and skills for work performance.
• Incumbent maintains current working knowledge of available technology and equipment.
• Incumbent involves the Veteran, family members, caregivers, and pertinent health care staff in the treatment process by maintaining effective communications.

Administrative Duties:

• Incumbent is responsible for the care, upkeep, and sanitation of equipment in the assigned work environment.
• He/she organizes and maintains clinical and administrative space in order to optimize safety, infection control and efficiency.
• Organizes work related matters, schedules patients efficiently and completes assigned tasks in a timely manner.
• Solves problems independently not covered by guidelines without supervision; assists other physical therapy staff members in the modification of treatment plans and serves as role model for other physical therapy staff members/students.
• Incumbent assesses the equipment needs of the department and maintains adequate stock of supplies and materials.
• Incumbent schedules Veterans for treatment, considering priority and frequency of care and coordinates schedules with other members of the treatment team.
• Flexibility of schedule must be maintained to allow for unscheduled Veterans and unforeseen circumstances.
• Incumbent follows the VHA Outpatient Scheduling Processes and Procedures, and delegates these duties appropriately to medical support staff.
• This may include ensuring the rules for scheduling new consults are followed, entering return to clinic orders for follow up appointments and following procedures for communicating no-shows, Veteran cancellations, and clinic cancellations.
• Incumbent delegates duties to assistants and other support staff and performs any necessary follow-up as appropriate.
• Incumbent complies with all policies and procedures regarding documentation and coding of Veteran care.
• Incumbent demonstrates knowledge of computer skills for completion of documentation and other responsibilities as required.
• Documents in core computer evaluations, ongoing patient treatment plans and performance via accurate and timely note-writing, record keeping and charting procedures based on established protocol by DVANYHHS and the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service.
• Incumbents attend and participate in all mandatory departmental staff meetings and training sessions.
• Incumbent plans and presents in-service education programs, when requested and/or as needed to the PT section, PM&R staff, and other services, as appropriate.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm

Telework: Not Available

Functional Statement #: 00407A

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized