The physical therapist (PT) is responsible for independently evaluating patients and establishing and executing comprehensive treatment plans that include a full range of treatment procedures and modalities for patients with various disabilities and medical conditions. Treatment programs are designed to improve or restore function through the use of physical modalities and therapeutic exercises, utilizing prostheses, orthotics, or assistive devices, as needed.
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: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. Education. Applicants must meet one of the following requirements below possessing a degree from an approved program by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredited college or university. A Bachelor's degree in physical therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist; OR A Master's Degree in physical therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist; OR, A doctorate degree in physical therapy Licensure. Applicants must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice physical Therapy in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or the District of Columbia. Note: 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 GS-11 Experience: None beyond the basic requirements above. 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 Experience: Applicants must possess one year of experience to the next lower grade at the GS-11 and hold a valid unrestricted state license. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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. 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). 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G12- Physical Therapist Qualification Standard. Physical Requirements: Traveling throughout the medical center, performing activities involving standing for long periods of time, to push and pull, sit, stand, walk, bend, squat, kneel, crawl, climb, lift, carry, reach above shoulders and perform fine motor functions. May require lifting / carrying 10 to 20 pounds constantly, 25 to 50 pounds frequently, and 50 to 100 pounds occasionally. Manual strength and dexterity to operate rehab equipment and patient related devices such as aerobic exercise and weight equipment. Ability to lift and transport all necessary testing and treatment equipment and supplies. Must possess functional vision, hearing, and speech in order to communicate effectively with patients and staff.
Preferred Experience: 2 years of outpatient, 2 years of acute care PT experience Major duties include, but are not limited to: Functions as an independent care provider within the health care team with the ability to make autonomous clinical decisions in a Direct Access environment. Must have a complete knowledge and depth of problem solving skills to develop and modify the treatment programs for 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. Expected 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. Applies thorough evaluation principles to tease out difficult clinical symptoms 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. Determines physical therapy prognosis by incorporating examination findings with the patient's preferences to set clinically appropriate treatment goals, optimize outcomes and maximize functional independence. Exhibits flexibility in problem solving as required by the findings on evaluation. Establishes meaningful therapeutic goals and independently designs a treatment plan to meet the goals established in the most efficient manner. Adapts and modifies treatment programs, as indicated by patient's response to treatment, on an on-going basis to better meet short-term and long-term goals. Completes appropriately timed re-evaluations for the patients and modifies the goals based on the information gained by re-evaluation. Incumbent documents initial findings, treatment goals, equipment recommendations, follow-up progress and discharge summary in patient's medical record. Measures patient for assistive devices and special equipment. Fits devices for patient needs and instructs patient/care provider in the use of these devices. Develops home program for patients, as needed, prior to discharge. Instructs family or care provider in ways to assist patient to carry out the program. Participates in daily management huddles, ward rounds, patient planning conferences, discharge planning meetings, specialty clinics, pain clinic, assigned medical meetings, physical therapy staff meetings, section in-service meetings and PM&R in-service meetings. Submits any special reports on patients, recurring and non-recurring PM&R or CBOC reports, when requested. Keeps attendance records and other statistical data on all his/her patients. Maintains adequate levels of supplies and submits requests to designated point of contact (POC). Reports all safety hazards and faulty equipment to designated POC. Helps develop innovative programs and regularly reviews all existing programs to assure correct methodology is being incorporated in his/her program. Understand and adheres to section and service policies and Medical Center policies and regulations. Attends seminars, workshops, in-service meetings and lectures to update physical therapy knowledge and skills. Keeps abreast of current concepts in Physical Therapy by reading, attending educational courses, Intra-VA detail, workshops, etc. Participates in continuing education to maintain current knowledge or competence and participates in self-development activities. Serves on committees at the facility, in the community, or in the professional association. Shares information regarding new techniques or treatment strategies with other professional staff. Acts as clinical educator for PT and PTA students who affiliate with this clinic, and completes all associated paperwork. Conducts in-service programs for other services or departments, as requested. Develops patient education printed material, exercise programs, etc. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 0700-1530 p.m. work schedule, but work schedule may be adjusted to meet the needs of the service. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required