Summary

VA Portland Health Care System is a Complexity Level 1a Facility and provides extensive primary - secondary - tertiary - and quaternary care in outpatient - inpatient - residential - and community settings. VAPORHCS is a multi-site medical system that includes a major medical facility in Portland - Oregon - outpatient and residential facilities in Vancouver - Washington - and 10 Community Based Outpatient Clinics.

Qualifications

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
• (2) Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two 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
• 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-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
• NOTE
• Individuals who have or have had multiple licenses and had any such license revoked for professional misconduct - professional incompetency or substandard care - or who surrendered such license after receiving written notice of potential termination of such license by the state for professional misconduct - professional incompetence - or substandard care - are not eligible for appointment to the position unless such revoked or surrendered license is fully restored (38 U.S.C 7402(f))
• Effective November 30 - 1999 - this is a requirement for employment
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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: In addition to the basic requirements for appointment in paragraph 2 - the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates
• GS-11 Physical Therapist (Entry) (a) Education - Experience - and Licensure
• None beyond the basic requirements
• (NOTE: See exception to licensure requirement in subparagraph 3c above.) GS-12 Physical Therapist (Full Performance Level) (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 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/
• Preferred candidate will have at least one year of experience in the outpatient setting and specific experience or additional training working with chronic pain conditions
• 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.

Duties

• VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY The duties of this position include but are not limited to the following: Generally Physical Therapists work standard clinic hours - however - may be required to work evenings - weekends - or provide holiday coverage
• The physical therapist may be assigned to duties within any area of VAPORHCS
• Physical Therapist is a health care professional working as part of the rehabilitation care team in a variety of settings
• The Physical Therapist is the professional expert in the realm of functional mobility and ability
• The Physical Therapist evaluates and interprets information form a detailed evaluation and formulated the Physical Therapy plan of care
• The therapist uses this plan of care as a framework to establish activities - goals and frequency/duration to optimize functional outcomes
• The Physical Therapist evaluates patients for specialized equipment or devices to enhance safety or improve functional independence
• The therapist will also provide education and training to Veteran's and - as appropriate - family members on safe and effective use of equipment and devices
• Develops appropriate treatment plans and goals
• performs complex treatment Procedures modifying the treatment according to the patient's changing medical condition or because of a variety of severe physical disabilities
• Measures - fits and instructs patients for the use of complex adaptive equipment and assistive devices
• Effectively communicates - both orally and in writing - and performs required documentations in a timely manner
• Employee involves the patient - family members - caregiver - and pertinent health care staff in the treatment process by maintaining effective communication
• Employee demonstrates knowledge and skill in communications appropriate to the age of patients served in the work area
• The employee possesses knowledge of potential changes in communication skills which may occur in aging patients (potential for diminished hearing - vision - and mental acuity) and is able to compensate for these changes when appropriate to ensure that effective communication has occurred
• Employee demonstrates knowledge and skill to provide physical assistance to aging patients - considering potential difficulties with balance and ambulation and the increased possibility of damage or injury to skin and bones
• Employee communicates readily with multidisciplinary treatment teamadvising the team of patient's needs and progress - exchanging discharge planning information with them
• This communication through team meetings - ward rounds - written reports - and informal communications - such as personal and telephone conversations
• Written communications is accomplished in a timely fashion
• Employee is responsible for the care - upkeep and sanitation of equipment used
• Customer Service: a) Meet or exceed the needs of customers while supporting VA Mission
• b) Consistently communicate and treat customers (veterans - their representatives - visitors - volunteers - and all VA staff) - in a courteous - tactful - and respectful manner at all times
• c) Handle conflict and problems in dealing with any customer constructively - professionally - and appropriately
• d) Work effectively with the PMRS team and other health care providers in coordinating the patient's total care
• e) Develop the treatment plan in collaboration with the patient - patients' caregivers - and the treatment team members
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 07:30am-4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized