The Primary Purpose of the Position is: The Physical Therapist in this position is given general and complex assignments in multiple clinics and locations where services are deemed necessary. In this position the Physical Therapist has skills and knowledge in techniques to serve outpatient, in-patient and home environments of the Spinal Cord Injuries / Disorders patient population.
HPTs who are on track to graduate/complete the requirements should respond as if they have met the requirements. Provide details in the narrative sections of the assessment. Basic Requirements: Citizenship. Candidates must 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: Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. (Or) Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. (OR), Doctorate degree in physical therapy. 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. 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. 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. 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. Grade Determinations: GS-11 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 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: 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). Preferred Experience: 1-2 years' experience with neuro population Experience with adaptive sports, wheelchair, and adaptive equipment Experience performing comprehensive evaluations and assessment involving muscular strength and mobility Therapeutic experience with adults and older adult population ***Qualifications continued under Additional Information***
VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY Duties include but not limited to: Performs patient evaluations: 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 SCI Veteran individual goal-directed outcomes) diagnoses. 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. Select appropriate equipment needed to substitute for loss of function or to substitute for limited function of individuals they treat. This includes assistive technology, mobility devices for gait and lift systems, devices for activities of daily living and other orthotic/prosthetic devices specific to the SCI population. PTs at this level practice and demonstrate full understanding of therapy techniques and can autonomously make recommendations and referrals to other medical specialties/services as clinically indicated during ongoing assessment of patients under their care. 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. 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. Collaborates with nursing and the interdisciplinary rehabilitation team to facilitate the operation of the ward/unit/clinic to meet common goals. Participates in interdisciplinary team meetings, rounds, family conferences and other meetings as needed. As a member of the treatment team, maintains a working relationship with medical and allied health care providers. Documents patient care services timely within 24 hours. Documents care rendered in CPRS, completes encounter, FIM, MDS and other outcomes in accordance with PM&R, GEC, CMS and VANTHCS policies. 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. Manages resources (time, materials, staff) in a cost- effective manner. 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 SCI/D and other clinical settings. Ensures patient privacy and confidentiality by following established policies and procedures (Privacy Act, Release of Information, HIPPA, etc). Demonstrates the ability to identify and resolve interpersonal or professional conflicts when dealing with patients and members of the organization. Education and Research: Identifies learning activities for self and others. Participates and contributes to the advancements of knowledge and techniques related to SCI/D management and 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. Participates in orientation and/or training to residents, volunteers, students, visitors, etc. to the purpose and functions/roles of Physical Therapy in Spinal Cord Injury programs. Work Schedule: 8:30am-5:00pm; PRN weekends and Holiday coverage Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized