The physical therapist in this position is given general and complex assignments in multiple clinics and locations were services are deemed necessary. In this position the PT has skills and knowledge in techniques for applying care targeting and outpatient/inpatient population. The position requires travel for patient care and other duties as needed to multiple VANTHCS duty stations.
Basic Requirements: Citizenship. 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: (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. *More educational information in Education section of this announcement 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 in this standard, 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 PT who is licensed. Failure to obtain licensure during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment. 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). *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. Grade Determinations: GS-11 Physical Therapist Education, Experience, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. Assignment. PTs at this level are responsible for providing assessment and treatment intervention. PTs plan and modify treatment based on a patient's response to intervention and/or change in medical condition. PTs at this level may be given general assignments in any physical therapy program area where advanced specialized knowledge is not required or may serve as the sole PT such as in an outpatient clinic. Licensed PTs may provide oversight and delegate patient care responsibilities to a Physical Therapist Assistant, and/or delegate non-patient care duties to non-licensed staff. PTs that are not licensed must practice under the close supervision of a licensed PT GS-12 Physical Therapist Education, Experience and Licensure. 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: 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. Assignment. At the full performance level, PTs are responsible for independently providing assessment and treatment interventions to inpatients and outpatients received through healthcare provider referrals and patient self-referrals. Guided by differential and movement diagnoses, PTs perform 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 personal and environmental factors. PTs interpret findings from examination, diagnostic studies/medical tests and, during evaluation, select appropriate clinical tests and measures, and then integrate findings into the physical therapy plan of care for the full range of patient populations. PTs 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. They 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. Physical therapists select appropriate equipment needed to substitute for loss of function or to substitute for limited function of individuals they treat. Staff PTs at this level practice autonomously, making recommendations and referrals to other medical specialties/services as clinically indicated during ongoing assessment of patients under their care. The staff PT may also develop and provide individualized clinical training experiences for physical therapy students in facilities with established clinical experience rotations. PTs at this level may be given general assignments in any/all areas where physical therapy services are deemed necessary, and/or may serve as the sole PT at a less complex facility. Individuals may perform ancillary assignments as deemed appropriate given the needs of a facility on an occasional basis, where the amount of work is not substantial (less than 25% of the duty time). Preferred Experience: Two or more years of experience in rehabilitation in outpatient clinical setting. Experience in preforming general and complex evaluations with for acute/or chronic injuries to include systems review and impairments of musculoskeletal, neurological, orthopedic, cardio-pulmonary, pain management, integumentary etc. Experience in interpreting findings from examinations, diagnostic studies, and/or medical test; selection appropriate clinical tests and measures, including relevant evidence-based data and norms. Experience interpreting integrating and establishing a diagnosis within the scope of PT, identifying appropriate rehab interventions and plan of care to include referral to another provider for further consultation as clinically indicated. Experience supervising physical therapy assistants. Continued in Additional Information ....
Duties include but are not limited to: Clinical Functions: Patient Care: Perform 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 personal and environmental factors. Review of medical records to interpret findings from examination, diagnostic studies and/or medical tests. During evaluation select appropriate clinical tests and measures; then integrate 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. Select appropriate equipment needed to substitute for loss of function or to substitute for limited function of individuals they treat Treatment Implementation Evaluation findings are used to develop and implement comprehensive patient treatment plans including objective, measurable goals, timeliness for completion.. These goals are developed in collaboration with the patient, family and/or stakeholder input. Identifies adverse reactions and 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 disability 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, adapts, and/or fits assistive and adaptive devices in accordance with rehabilitation goals. Administrative functions Assist to receive and triage patient referrals/consults, patient self-referrals and adheres to consult compliance established guidelines. 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 update of evaluation forms and protocols to adequately meet the requirements of the program and types of patients in assigned clinical setting. Delegates tasks/procedures to the appropriate support personnel to facilitate effective and efficient patient care Education and Research: Identifies learning activities for self and others, Participates and contributes to the advancements of knowledge and techniques related to physical therapy via in-services, mentorship projects. Conducts in-services for interdisciplinary team and other rehabilitation programs, Maintains current concepts and trends in Physical Therapy and evidence based medicine/rehabilitation practices through literature reviews, study of current research, clinical practice, and through attendance to continuing education courses, . conferences and in-services. Student supervision: has a responsibility to the profession and VANTHCS to assist with the instruction of physical therapy (PT) and physical therapy assistant (PTA). students. Serves as Clinical Instructor for PT and PTA students as assigned. The staff PT may develop and provide individualized clinical training experiences for physical therapy students. Participates in facility and/or service education projects. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm; PRN weekends and Holiday coverage Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 53724-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized