Physical Therapist

Summary The GS-12 physical therapist is assigned to provide professional-physical therapy services to any/all program areas that are covered by Rehabilitation Services including acute care, rehabilitation, neurology, oncology, geriatrics, long term care, home care and outpatient settings. 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. United States Citizenship: 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 OR Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist OR Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy Licensure: Individuals hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice physical therapy in a State, Territory, Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. Non-licensed PTs who otherwise meet the basic requirements 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 provides care only under the supervision of a licensed PT. Failure to obtain licensure during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment. 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. 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 – None beyond the basic requirements. GS-12 – 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. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): Ability to make autonomous clinical decisions in a Direct Access environment; Ability to independently evaluate and treat patients; Skill in performing examinations and evaluations of individuals with impairments; Ability to interpret findings and integrate into the physical therapy plan of care; Ability to establish a diagnosis within scope; Ability to determine prognosis; Ability to provide clinical oversight of PTAs and students. Preferred Experience: Strong outpatient skills – able to work independently as sole clinician in a primary care clinic. Physical Requirements: Work includes regular physical exertion in standing, bending, kneeling, reaching, gripping, walking; moderate to heavy lifting is required; sitting is required for meetings and administrative work; above average agility may be desirable for defensive situations; work may require physical stamina, good visual and auditory acuity. Duties VA Careers - Physical Therapy: Major Duties: Performs complex physical therapy evaluation and treatment for male and female patients aged 18-85+ years old. Involves the patient, family/significant other, and medical team in treatment planning and goal setting through ongoing communication. Plans and carries out the full range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities where therapeutic objectives are complex and procedures involved require the application of specialized skills and knowledge. Adapts and applies treatment procedures with critical concern for patients who are acutely ill or who have a combination of severe mental/emotional or physical disabilities. Treatment will be provided on the ward, in the facility, and in the community as appropriate for the patient's needs. Demonstrates ability to recognize and professionally and appropriately respond to clinic red and yellow flags at all levels of care – outpatient, inpatient, acute care, home setting. Demonstrates independent problem solving skills that allow for frequent modification of treatment plans in response to subtle, but significant changes in the condition of the patient. Critical assessment of treatment outcomes will be regularly performed. Assesses for and requests prosthetic/orthotic equipment as needed and makes modifications as necessary. Makes recommendations and referrals to other medical specialties/services as needs are identified during ongoing assessment of this complex patient population. Assists in the scheduling of patients according to the physical therapy treatment plan while coordinating with the treatment plans of other disciplines within the team and facility. Maintains flexibility of schedule to allow for unscheduled patients, patient/team consultation, and mentoring. Maintains consistent and timely documentation of patient encounters in the electronic medical record in accordance with accepted PT practice, facility, and Rehabilitation Service policies and procedures. Participates in regular team meetings – verbal and written communication and consultation among team members to guide and evaluate the work of the multi-disciplinary program. Collaborates with the team to develop a cohesive treatment plan for this complex patient population. Assists in the care of patients other than those of the specialized area or as the needs of the department dictate. Maintains a workload consistent with the standards established by the Physical Therapy Section and the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service. Responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operation of the physical therapy clinic area to which assigned. Manages and triages clinic consults as they are received, addressing minor, routine problems. Arranges schedule to allow adequate time to manage patient care at the nationally indicated productive standard – documentation, administrative tasks, statistics, and patient care conferences. Corresponds with patients and families in person, over the phone, through telehealth, and/or through MyHealthyVet in a professional, timely, and courteous manner. Participates in ECSL/PMR and PT meetings. Compiles and submits statistical data, reports and quality assurance findings to document program effectiveness – caseload, attendance, productivity as assigned by supervisor or department. Assists in the maintenance of the clinic and exhibits good safety practices following proper safety policies and procedures per VA – Joint Commission – CARF – OSHA – etc. Participates in quality assurance projects and completes reports as required on patient treatment. Participates in physical therapy peer review and chart audit process as directed by supervisor and/or program manager. Information, reports, and workload data are completed and submitted on request and as needed. Participates in or coordinates program development for special programs within the physical therapy department. Aware of safety concerns, regulations, policies, and procedures, and employs appropriate safety practices. Develops and provides individualized clinical training experience for physical therapy students. Shares knowledge and expertise about the scope of physical therapy practice and services. Attends PM R section in‑services as well as hospital‑wide in‑services. Attends and completes mandatory in‑service training as required by VA PM R and PT policies. Provides necessary guidance, direction, and supervision to physical therapy health technicians, co‑op students, volunteers, and/or CWT workers assigned to the PM R clinic. Additional duties as needed. Work Schedule MF 8:00 – 16:30, rotating weekends and holidays. Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. #J-18808-Ljbffr