This position is located in the Therapy Section of Rehab & Extended Care Service at the Hudson Valley VA Medical Center. The incumbent serves as a Physical Therapist in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Program and may be assigned duties at either Castle Point or Montrose campuses, as well as any one of the 7 community-based clinics (CBOCs).
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: a. Citizenship. Candidates must be a citizen of the United States. After a determination is made that it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens, necessary personnel may be appointed on a temporary basis under authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 without regard to the citizenship requirements of 38 U.S.C. 7402 or any other law prohibiting the employment of or payment of compensation to a person who is not a citizen of the United States. Candidates must meet all other requirements for the grade and position concerned. b. 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. OR(2) Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. OR(3) Doctorate degree in physical therapy. c. 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. Grade Determinations: (a) 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: (b) 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 7 well as students on clinical affiliations who are in Doctoral PT Programs or PTA Programs. Physical Requirements. Pre-placement and periodic physical examinations are required for hybrid occupations to ensure workers are placed in positions where they can perform the essential functions of their job considering their physical, mental and emotional capacities, without endangering their health or the health of their co-workers. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY Major duties for the position include (but are not limited to): Clinical 1. Functions as the clinical specialist within the profession of physical therapy. 2. Serves as a consultant to other rehabilitation staff as well as interdepartmentally within the medical center. 3. Takes a lead role to solve scheduling and patient care challenges within the physical therapy department. 4. Performs duties/activities of a staff PT with a great deal of expertise and autonomy. Consults with staff physicians through attendance at unit Huddles, Team meetings, and consultation basis. 5. An extensive knowledge of Physical Therapy which is acquired through a combination of formal education and experience is required. This knowledge encompasses all phases of the rehabilitation process at a level where s/he functions as a Physical Therapist. Included are Prosthetics Orthotics, Mobility Aides, Architectural Barriers and other adaptive devices necessary for activities of daily living. 6. Evaluates patients according to diagnosis and knowledge of the disease process selecting appropriate techniques and demonstrating a high level of proficiency in use of tools and evaluation methods. Incorporates evidenced based practice and objective outcome measures within evaluations. 7. Interprets assessment findings and other pertinent information consistently with a high degree of accuracy. 8. Establishes and implements an evidenced based, goal-oriented individualized Physical Therapy program for patients. 9. Reassesses and modifies the treatment program as indicated and identifies changes in patient condition with a high degree of accuracy. 10. Provides highly effective patient and family education and provides home programs as appropriate to the patient's Physical Therapy/ADL needs. Education 1. Takes an active role in the PT student clinical affiliation program. 2. Develops and plans educational programs to include patient, family, and professional personnel. 3. Educates other facility personnel in the scope of PT services and programs involving a variety of healthcare specialties. 4. Participates as an instructor in this facility's in-service clinical training. 5. Seeks ongoing education to maintain license in good standing and to expand knowledge base. 6. Provides educational in-services to staff/veterans. Administrative 1. Provides input to Supervisory Rehabilitation Therapists on discipline specific competencies for physical therapy. 2. Completes Peer Reviews, as needed, and maintains confidentiality. 3. Takes a lead role to maintain needed physical therapy treatment supplies and compiles necessary replacement orders. 4. Ensures consults are handled in the most expeditious manner based upon acuity of need. Assists in the development and implementation of physical therapy treatment programs. Responsible for administrative coordination of care within the SCI Program, CLC Short Term Rehab, Facility Falls, home based primary care, and Wheelchairs. Takes a lead in assuring the cleanliness, maintenance, repairs, and successful operation of PT equipment, treatment areas, and operational supplies. 5. Actively supports and promotes all programs of PM&RS. In particular, provides support to VA special emphasis programs such as SCI, Polytrauma/TBI, and amputation systems of care and PACT program as they pertain to PT services. 6. Assists PM&RS with' scheduling and coordination of leave schedules with clinic scheduling. 7. Acts as liaison with Logistics Service for PM&RS for purchase of new equipment, clinical/office supplies from bulk distribution and turn-in process for appropriate equipment. 8. Ensures that proper supplies of inventory levels are maintained for patient treatment. 9. Shall conform to all VHA and local directives related to safety, life safety, health, hazardous materials and emergency management directives. 10. Maintains service records and statistics according to PM&R/SCI policy. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: No Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 11097F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized