The Outpatient Physical Therapist is assigned to Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Services(PM&RS) and provides physical therapy to Greenville HCC patients. The Outpatient Physical Therapist provides evaluation and treatment for patients with neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction. The physical therapist performs evaluations using standard measurement scales, distributes prosthetic DME, and provides physical therapy treatment and instructions to Greenville HCC patients.
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. The basic requirements for employment as a VHA physical therapist are prescribed by Public Law 96-151 codified in 38 U.S.C. § 7402. To qualify for appointment, all applicants for the position of physical therapist in VHA must meet the following: 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. (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. 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. Grade Determinations: GS-11 (Entry Level) Requirements: Education, Experience, and Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements. (NOTE: See exception to licensure requirement listed above.) GS-12 (Full Performance Level) 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. References: VHA 5005, Appendix G12, Physical Therapist Qualification Standard, dated February 7, 2018. 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. 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. 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
The duties include, but are not limited too: GS-11 Assists Chief, Physical Therapy in planning and developing various treatment programs to meet patient needs, as requested by Greenville Ortho/PM&RS Section Chief. Assist with orientation of new Physical Therapy staff. Responsible for the examination and treatment of patients referred to the Physical Therapy Department. Assesses patient dysfunction using appropriate tests/tools. Performs competent written documentation of initial examinations, progress notes, and discharge summaries Entering consults within the PM&RS Service (i.e., to Occupational or Recreational Therapy) or to the Prosthetics service for rehabilitation equipment in accordance with PM&RS and medical center policies. Reviews and co-signs notes written by the PTA to whom the PT has delegated patient care or for patients seen by the PTA within the PT-DME clinic. Demonstrates advanced competency in knowledge of electronic documentation and computer skills. Entering consults within the PM&RS Service (i.e., to Occupational or Recreational Therapy) or to the Prosthetics service for rehabilitation equipment in accordance with PM&RS and medical center policies. Reviews and co-signs notes written by the PTA to whom the PT has delegated patient care or for patients seen by the PTA within the PTDME clinic. GS-12 Assists Chief, Physical Therapy in planning and developing various treatment programs to meet patient needs, as requested by Greenville Ortho/PM&RS Section Chief. Assist with orientation of new Physical Therapy staff Assists in the development, planning and implementation of monitors of quality of care with respect to PM&RS as part of the comprehensive health care services delivered to the patients within the Durham VA Health Care System. Conducts record keeping related to patient care documentation and quality improvement (QI) data collection as specified by the Supervisor, Physical Therapy Department Responsible for the examination and treatment of patients referred to the Physical Therapy Department. Assesses patient dysfunction using appropriate tests/tools. Demonstrates the teaching skills required to provide education to patients, family members, caregivers, employees, students, and coworkers. Communicates effectively with other internal and external health care providers. Functions autonomously in carrying out patient education, specialized treatments, and applying physical therapy procedures for which competency has been established and in accordance with laws or regulations and APTA documents. Modifying the treatment plan, therapeutic activities and interventions based on the changing needs, goals and performance of the patient. Modifying the treatment plan when either the established goals or timeframes for achievement of those goals has been attained. Performs competent written documentation of initial examinations, progress notes, and discharge summaries. Demonstrates advanced competency in knowledge of electronic documentation and computer skills. Work Schedule:8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000