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. 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. 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 PT OR Master's degree in Physical Therapy and two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a PT. OR Doctorate degree in physical therapy. 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 – 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 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 in this occupation who 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: 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: Strong outpatient skills – able to work independently as sole clinician in a primary care clinic. 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: Work includes regular and recurring physical exertion in standing – bending – kneeling – reaching – gripping – and walking. Moderate to heavy lifting is required to assist patients and to operate equipment. Sitting is required in meetings and for conducting administrative work. Above average agility may be desirable in defending oneself (or others) against physical attack/abuse. Work may require physical stamina – normal use of arms and legs – and 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 referral to other medical specialties/services as needs are identified during ongoing assessment of this complex patient population. Assists in 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 a 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 amongst team members in order 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. Managing and triaging 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 for infection control – equipment 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 – holidays. Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PD000000. Relocation / Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. #J-18808-Ljbffr