Physical Therapist

Job Title

Physical Therapist

Duties

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VA Careers - Physical Therapy

Clinical Functions: Patient Care

Performs patient evaluations, the physical therapists:

• Veterans are scheduled for evaluation considering caseload complexity and acuity of medical condition. Coordinates Veteran schedule with other interdisciplinary team members.
• Guided by differential (screen for systemic diseases and medical conditions that can mimic neuromuscular and musculoskeletal problems) and movement (examine and evaluate the movement system -including diagnosis and prognosis- to provide a customized and integrated plan of care to achieve the individual's goal-directed outcomes) diagnoses.
• Perform examinations and evaluations of adult and geriatric individuals with acute and chronic injuries, 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 personal and environmental factors.
• Review of medical records to interpret findings from examination, diagnostic studies and/or medical tests; selecting clinical tests and measures; and integrates findings into the physical therapy plan of care for the full range of patient populations, using relevant evidence-based data and norms. Establish a diagnosis within the scope of physical therapy and identify the appropriate intervention to treat and/or refer to another provider for further consultation when needed.
• Determine physical therapy prognosis by incorporating examination findings with the patient's preferences for meaningful level of function in order to set clinically appropriate treatment goals and optimize outcomes. Evaluates and recommends appropriate equipment needed to substitute for loss of function or to substitute for limited function of individuals they treat. Therapist has knowledge, experience and skill in the prescription, fitting, and training in orthotics/prosthetic devices, assistive devices, adaptive equipment, and assistive technology utilized in the outpatient setting.

Treatment Implementation:

• Evaluation findings are used to develop and implement comprehensive patient treatment plans including objective, measurable goals, timeliness for completion. Goals are developed in collaboration with the patient, family and/or stakeholder input. Modifies treatment plan according to patient response to treatment and towards meeting established goals. Documents treatment progression and/or modifications accordingly. Demonstrates a full professional understanding of selective therapeutic techniques and modalities related to the patient population being treated. May serve as a resource to other, less experience therapists.
• Develops Home Programs for patients as indicated at discharge. Instructs significant others in ways to assist patients to carry out home program and in the use of equipment and assistive devices issued.

Administrative functions include:

• Assist to receive and triage patient referrals/consults, patient self-referrals and adheres to consult compliance established guidelines and is knowledgeable of admission criteria for each program (inpatient/outpatient) for appropriate continuum of care placement.
• Manages and coordinates schedules and programs determined by patient caseload. Adapts schedules to meet unscheduled treatments when situation arises. Understand and adheres to department and facility procedures.
• Identifies, collects and analyzes appropriate patient care information to provide a data base to develop performance evaluation system(s) and Process Improvement projects related to the clinical setting.
• Participates in Process Improvement activities related to Program VII, outpatient (e.g. Cultural Transformation, Patient Centered Care, etc.), PM&R, Tyler OPC, and VANTHCS.
• Participates in update of evaluation forms and protocols to adequately meet the requirements of the program and types of patients in the assigned clinical setting.
• Delegates tasks/procedures to the appropriate support personnel to facilitate effective and efficient patient care. Assists in ordering adequate supplies and maintaining inventory for assigned clinic(s). Reports all safety hazards and faulty equipment to the Lead Therapist and/or Supervisor Program Manager.

Work Schedule: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Tuesday-Saturday. Rotates to cover weekends. This position is primarily in the Inpatient Acute Care department with rotations to Outpatient as required.

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 53253-F

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized