Physical Therapist (ICU Program Coordinator)

Summary As a member of the PT Section/Rehabilitation Service, the Program Coordinator for ICU Early Mobility Program serves as a consultant and subject matter expert in the treatment of critically ill patients in the ICU who often have multiple interacting complex acute and/or chronic medical problems. This position is embedded in a mixed medical and surgical ICU and provides clinical and administrative direction to other interdisciplinary team members regarding program elements in physical therapy. Responsibilities The Physical Therapist ICU Early Mobility Program Coordinator provides PT services to veterans admitted to the ICU in accordance with Rehabilitation Section policies and procedures, APTA, PT Board of California guidelines and VA regulations governing the practice of physical therapy. Provides services to veterans who may have undergone surgery and/or have multiple interacting acute and chronic medical conditions. Applies advanced knowledge of contemporary physical therapy as it relates to early mobility in the ICU setting and treating critically ill patients. Incumbent will spend at least 66% of the time performing higher level duties consisting of substantial scope, complexity, and variety. This includes serving as a subject matter expert for the A-F (Liberation) Bundle and coordinating implementation of the "E" component (Early Mobility) within the ICU team. The incumbent also participates in gathering and reviewing quality-improvement (QI) data to identify trends and support program improvement. A. Clinical 1. Ability to make autonomous clinical decisions in a Direct Access environment with consideration for local Scope of Practice guidelines including ability to independently evaluate and treat patients who seek physical therapy services. 2. Attends multidisciplinary team huddles/rounds to discuss patients currently admitted to the ICU and readiness for early mobility and physical therapy consultation. Applies specialized screening tools to identify precautions and contraindication for early mobility as well as to recommend appropriate early mobilization equipment. 3. Develops protocols and treatment plans that take into account the effects of ICU acquired weakness due to prolonged bedrest and aim to minimize the effects of ICU syndrome which contribute to increased ventilator days and/or impaired cognitive status. 4. Performs comprehensive evaluations using standard/nonstandard methods for evaluating patients post operatively and/or with critical medical illness, with an emphasis on assessing patients' functional status. Evaluations are conducted independently, and results are documented according to Departmental and Medical Center standards. 5. Establishes a diagnosis within the scope of physical therapy and identifies the appropriate rehabilitation intervention, including referral to another provider for further consultation. 6. Meets departmental productivity standards as outlined in GS13 - Performance Standards. B. Educational 1. Serves as consultant within the ICU as a subject matter expert in rehabilitation and early mobility for critically ill patients; coordinates interdisciplinary efforts to facilitate early mobility for all patients, and growing and sustaining an effective Early Mobility Program. 2. Develops rehab staff competencies that include the safe management of common ICU medical lines and tubes, education regarding the benefits of early mobility in critically ill patients, the effects of ICU acquired weakness and neuromuscular weakness due to prolonged bedrest, and safe use of specialized mobilization equipment. 3. Applies advanced knowledge of physical therapy with respect to early mobility of critically ill patients to provide clinical guidance, training and education to MC staff and the VHA PT community at large. 4. Investigates current clinical practice guidelines, concepts and scientific principles in Physical Therapy practice through literature reviews and study of current research with an emphasis on issues related to early mobility with critical ill patients in the ICU setting. Applies evidence-based treatment approaches to clinical practice. Regularly attends continuing education courses, conferences and in-services in the professional community and within the VA. 5. Provides continuing education in the form of in-services and clinical training programs to rehabilitation and ICU staff on the subject matter of rehabilitation in the critical care setting. C. Administrative 1. Regularly attends ICU multidisciplinary rounds to discuss and update team on patient progress or readiness for physical therapy. 2. Monitors and tracks data pertaining to ICU Early Mobility Program of the E portion of the ABCDEF bundle. Uses resources effectively, evaluates program quality and generates reports for local, VISN and/or VACO stakeholders. 3. Participates in PT and ICU quality improvement programs by regularly contributing to the monitoring of important aspects of patient care and formal Quality Improvement activities. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm or as determined by supervisor. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 05722-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. 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 Citizenship: Candidates must be a Citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 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: 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 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. 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). 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. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates. GS-13 Physical Therapist (Program Coordinator) Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1. Ability to apply advanced knowledge of contemporary physical therapy within specialty area to provide clinical guidance, training or education for internal and external stakeholders. 2. Ability to serve as a consultant within the assigned program area for intra-agency and interagency planning and to provide service coordination to optimize program continuity, efficiency and effectiveness. 3. Knowledge of and skill in management, administration and/or education 11 methodologies. This includes the ability to monitor and track data, utilize available resources effectively, evaluate program quality, and generate reports for local, and/or VISN and/or VACO leadership. 4. Ability to develop and coordinate treatment and/or educational programs within a concentrated field or specialty area, such as, but not limited to, amputee, spinal cord injury, chronic pain, student clinical education/residency programming, polytrauma/traumatic brain injury. 5. Ability to establish and maintain collaborative relationships within department and with other departments or affiliated programs. 6. Ability to guide the work of a multi-disciplinary team Preferred Experience: 3-5 years Inpatient Acute Care, preferably ICU. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: The Physical Therapist position requires standing, walking, bending, light to moderate lifting and positioning patients. The incumbent may need to assist in the maneuvering of patients in wheelchairs and transferring of patients to/from a chair/bed/floor. This position requires lifting/carrying 15-35 pounds (1 hour per day) sitting (2 hours per day); standing (1 hour per day); walking (2 hours per day); bending/stooping (1/2 hour per day); simple grasping (4 hours per day); and fine manipulation including keyboarding (1 hour per day). A fair amount of walking is also required to interact with patients and other services throughout the hospital. Applicants must be physically and mentally able to efficiently perform the essential functions of the position without hazard to themselves or others. Education Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: Additional Information Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.