Physical Therapist

Summary

The Physical Therapist is primarily responsible for the care and treatment of patients referred to the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) Physical Therapy section at the Sevierville Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC).. Responsibilities for patient care coverage also extend to other appropriate referrals to PM&RS as assigned

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Duties

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The Physical Therapist has the direct responsibility for physical therapy services in the Sevierville Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) as assigned. In addition, the PT is also expected to provide patient care duties and develop and participate in specialized treatment programs. The PT will provide these services to patients with a wide variety of multiple, complex illnesses and/or profound disabilities. Major Duties: The PT independently completes a review/examination of patient data (including medical history) to develop a plan of care, assess patient's status, and ascertain patient's need for therapy services.

• Interviews patients and caregivers to gather information for ongoing patient assessment.
• Assesses goals, living skills, physical abilities, and related needs for each patient referred.
• Evaluations include medical history, examination, results and interpretation of appropriate functional tests and measurements such as: range of motion, muscle testing, sensory/perceptual deficits, coordination, functional mobility, pain scales, appropriate self-report and performance-based outcome measures, and social/contextual factors/needs. Tests are frequently complex and may need to be adapted because of multiple physical disabilities or present medical conditions. Complex evaluations are conducted without consultation with other therapists.
• Evaluations address rehabilitation potential, behavior, motor skills, and psychosocial development. Barriers to learning are identified and strategies to overcome them developed and implemented to ensure accurate patient evaluation.
• Develops a treatment plan directed toward achieving maximum level of functioning within the home or other setting, consulting with other PM&RS disciplines as indicated, and developing the plan in collaboration with the patient and caregiver.
• Implements the treatment plan by: solving complex problems related to physical therapy; providing direct patient care; working with Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service to provide appropriate equipment/adaptive devices; instructing and training the veteran and caregiver concerning exercises, activities of daily living, rehabilitation techniques, and equipment. The PT may also recommend community referrals.
• Performs ongoing assessment of patient's physical and functional status, revising treatment plan and goals as clinically indicated. Adapts and modifies treatment plans, activities, and procedures to meet the needs of patients with complex disabilities.
• Determines patient's ongoing need for services.
• Identifies when patient's maximum level of function has been attained.
• Determines when patients have attained established goals and uses independent judgment in termination of rehabilitation services.
• Evaluates the need for additional services and uses professional judgment to initiate consultation with other professionals.
• Clinical practice is expected to be congruent with evidence-based practice standards, established clinical practice guidelines, as well as current concepts as outlined by the APTA.

Coordinates/Interfaces with Others

• Coordinates intervention plans with other members of the treatment team.
• Serves as content expert in assessing for and recommending complex specialized medical equipment related to physical therapy.
• Participates in and presents patients' needs at Special Equipment Committee in accordance with VHA directives and medical center memorandum for specialty items.
• Participates in professional and community activities.
• Participates in the Performance Improvement Program, including completing assessment and documentation required by performance measures applicable to the PT's role.
• Participates in interdisciplinary team conferences in person, by telephone, or through electronic mail exchanges.
• Serves as a clinical instructor for affiliating physical therapy and physical therapy assistant students.
• Attends and participates in PM&RS monthly meetings and other meetings as assigned.

Work Schedule : 7:45 am - 4:30 pm

Telework : Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement # : 61149F

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives : Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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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 1 or 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 :

• 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:
• (1) Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist.
• (2) Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist.
• (3) 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.
• 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. See Chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part

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

Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

1. 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.

2.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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

References: VA Handbook 5005/99 Part II Appendix G12 Dated February 7, 2018.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.

Physical Requirements: Work includes regular and demanding physical exertion in standing, bending, kneeling, reaching, gripping, and walking. Moderate to heavy lifting is required to assist patients and 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 requires physical health, normal use of arms and legs, and good visual and auditory acuity. Incumbent must be licensed to operate a motor vehicle.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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.

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.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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