The Supervisory Physical Therapist of CBOCs is an independent health care professional who is responsible for evaluating referred patients and establishing and executing treatment plans that include a full range of complex treatment procedures and modalities. This therapist carries a caseload of patients.
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. 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 www.apta.org (4) Foreign Graduates. Graduates of foreign physical therapy programs meet the requirements in subparagraph 3b if they have a full unrestricted and current license to practice physical therapy in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. The Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT) is a non-profit organization created to assist the United States (U.S.) Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly INS) and U.S. state licensing authorities by evaluating the credentials of Foreign Educated Physical Therapists (FEPTs) who wish to immigrate and work in the U.S. Although the licensing of physical therapists in the U.S. is a right and responsibility of each jurisdiction, foreign educated individuals must undergo an educational credentials assessment for substantial equivalency to the first professional degree in the US. The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) is committed to protect the public and to provide leadership within the field and practice of physical therapy. FSBPT's Foreign Educated Standards Committee has developed standards that represent "best practices" in evaluation services. The Credentials Evaluation Standards were developed with input from the physical therapy credentialing agencies that are licensed to use FSBPT's Coursework Tool 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). All licensed PTs employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (1) Employees grandfathered into the GS-0633 occupational series as PTs may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation(2) PTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of this qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of this standard. (3) PTs initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration, meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard and must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. (4) If PTs who are grandfathered under this provision leave the occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation Grade Determinations: GS-13-Supervisory Physical Therapist- one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1. Knowledge of contemporary physical therapy across multiple areas of practice, and the demonstrated ability to apply this knowledge to provide clinical guidance to Staff PTs within the department. 2. Knowledge of human resources administration, including such functions as the ability to interview and select qualified applicants, monitor and evaluate performance, and maintain effective labor management relations within scope of responsibility. 3. Ability to effectively supervise, direct, and manage a diverse physical therapy staff. 4. Skill in forging positive interpersonal relationships and conflict resolution. 5. Ability to analyze clinically appropriate data effectively to optimize quality, performance, and productivity within the section. 6. Ability to set priorities, delegate tasks, and solve problems in order to meet multiple deadlines and identify/address organizational problems. 7. Ability to manage advocacy roles and planning activities within the VA and the greater rehabilitation community. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: VA Handbook 5019
Duties to include but not limited to: Performs comprehensive patient evaluations. Patients are scheduled for evaluation in such a manner as to not negatively impact other clinical staff, yet meet the patient's needs. Patient medical records are reviewed to assess appropriateness of physical therapy intervention, note any potential risks or contraindications to treatment and to assist in guiding the evaluation process. Evaluations include medical history, results and interpretation of appropriate functional tests and measurements such as: range of motion, muscle strength, sensory/perceptual deficits, coordination, functional mobility, pain scales, and social needs. Tests are frequently complex and may need to be adapted because of multiple physical disabilities or present medical conditions. Evaluation address rehabilitation potential, behavior, motor skills, and psychosocial development at an age appropriate level. Barriers to learning are identified and strategies to overcome them developed and implemented to ensure accurate patient evaluation. Responsible for providing comprehensive physical therapy care to patients. Evaluation findings are used to develop and implement comprehensive treatment plans including objective, measurable goals, timelines for completion. These goals are developed in collaboration with the patient, family and/or other stakeholder input. Modifies treatment plans according to patient response to best meet established goals. Documents treatment progression and/or modifications according to Physical Therapy and Medical Center standards. Demonstrates a full professional understanding of the theories or treatment of Physical Therapy and their proper application through the use of therapeutic physical rehabilitation and reconditioning procedures. Recognizes adverse reaction to treatment and initiates effective action immediately. Ensures appropriate patient referrals and discharge planning in concert with the Physical Therapy and Medical Center/CBOC staff. Serves as Clinical Instructor for Physical Therapy students as assigned. Consults with staff and resident physicians through patient presentations, attendance at discharge planning rounds, specialty clinics, and/or conferences. Provides clinical coverage in other areas of Physical Therapy, as needed, and directed by Chief Physical Therapy Department. Performs a full range of supervisory duties which includes interviewing candidates, recommending appointments, advancements, and promotions and taking disciplinary action when indicated. Implements performance standards based on position descriptions and functional statements and conducts annual performance reviews. Review position descriptions and functional statements annually and update, as needed. Organizes and supervises a PT work group - CBOC. Guides and manages clinics in respect to training, work assignments, performance evaluations, conduct and patient welfare. Coordinate schedules of therapy staff leave requested and approval of same assuring adequate clinic staffing. Manages workload by assigning and redistributing based on census and staffing. Ensures consults are handled in the most expeditious manner based upon acuity of need. Responsible for special assignments associated with the preparation for TJC surveys and ensuring that the standards are met by all staff in PT Provides coverage for all other Physical Therapy Supervisors and Physical Therapy Service Chief. Other duties, as assigned Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY