As independent practitioners, licensed physical therapists embrace evidenced based practices standards in diagnosis, examination, management, intervention, treatment and outcome measurement. They collaborate across the continuum of care. They ensure that services are coordinated, interpret a wide variety of patient functional levels, and provide individualized progressive treatment for patients with complex disabilities.
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: 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. 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. 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- 4 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. Loss of Credential. A PT who fails to maintain the required license must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment. At the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may be reassigned to another occupation, if qualified, and if a placement opportunity exists. 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). Grandfathering Provision. 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-12 Physical Therapist (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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
Duties include, but are not limited to: Clinical This position is in Home Based Primary Care. You will be evaluating and treating patients in their home setting. The catchment area is a 60 mile radius from the Farmington CBOC. You will be provided with a GOV fleet vehicle. Independently develop, implement, and evaluate therapeutic and palliative rehabilitative programs to include restorative care, massage therapy and holistic modalities. Independently evaluates patients of HBPC regarding Physical Therapy needs, and implements appropriate treatment regimens within the framework of HBPC. Independently develops and executes appropriate treatment plans and goals, including rehabilitative, restorative and maintenance interventions.to increase patient safety and level of independence. Develop interdisciplinary plan of care directed toward achieving maximum level of functioning and palliation, consulting with other disciplines as indicated, and developing the care plan in collaboration with the treatment team, patient, and caregiver. Initiates the treatment plan by providing direct patient therapy care as ordered by a physician and procuring necessary equipment/adaptive devices; instructing and training the patient and caregiver concerning exercises, activities of daily living, rehabilitation techniques, and equipment/adaptive devices; and recommending community referrals. Independently performs a full range of PT treatment modalities such as but not limited to therapeutic exercise, ambulation, ROM exercises, holistic modalities, neuromuscular facilitation, perceptual motor integration and providing patient/family education regarding disability, adaptations, and exercises. Reassesses and independently solves problems relating to rehabilitation therapy, adapting, and modifying treatment plans according to the patient's response to PT intervention and pre-existing medical conditions. Monitors patient's tolerance for therapeutic procedures, including tolerance for prescribed adaptive equipment. Recognizes unanticipated rates of progress, significantly altered physical/mental status of patient or undesirable secondary effects of treatment. Regularly participates in interdisciplinary team conferences and regularly presents patients to physicians and other team members with information regarding performance, current status, and continuing goals. Works effectively with treatment team members and other health care providers in coordinating the patient's total care. Justifies special equipment requests. Evaluates for need or further assessment of orthotics/prosthetics and requests appropriate referrals to the Prosthetics Department. Serve as content expert in ordering complex and specialized medical equipment. Provides education to clients and families. Oral and Written Communication Develop and coordinate educational materials for the caregiver and/or Veteran as indicated by the therapists' assessment and regulatory standards. Abide by VA and HIPPA patient confidentiality regulations In documentation, consultation, and release of information. Educational Strive to stay abreast of revisions in laws and rules governing rehabilitation therapy. Increases knowledge and skills by attending seminars, workshops, lectures and in-services, particularly in the field of geriatrics and home-based physical therapy. Orients patient, physicians, allied health professionals, students, volunteers, and community representatives to the purpose and function of physical therapy, in the HBPC environment. Provides in-services and clinical training programs to nursing personnel, physicians, and allied health professionals. Serves as a mentor to other therapists in this area. Oral and Written Communication Develop and coordinate educational materials for the caregiver and/or Veteran as indicated by the therapists' assessment and regulatory standards. Abide by VA and HIPPA patient confidentiality regulations In documentation, consultation, and release of information. Administrative Understands and adheres to policies and procedures in work areas assigned. Employee works independently. He/she Is responsible for the physical therapy program and clinics to which he/she Is assigned and confers with their supervisor at periodic intervals to keeping him/her Informed of problem cases, workload and progress reports. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30 am - 4:00 pm 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