Summary

The incumbent is a licensed Physical Therapist who is responsible for administering physical therapy programs to adult and geriatric adult patients referred from all areas of the Medical Center - either directly or through the Clinical Director - Rehabilitation Services - or staff Physiatrist.

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
• English Language Proficiency: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English
• Licensure: Must 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
• 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
• Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist
• 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 post­baccalaureate 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
• Grade Determinations: 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 - examples of experience include but are not limited to - providing assessment and treatment intervention
• plan and modify treatment based on a patient's response to intervention and/or change in medical condition
• provide oversight and delegate patient care responsibilities to a Physical Therapist Assistant - and/or delegate non­patient care duties to non-licensed staff: GS-12 Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities - that must be clearly demonstrated in your resume: 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
• Preferred Experience: Primarily orthopedic but also a variety of neuro - vestibular - etc
• Minimal inpatient coverage as needed
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12
• Physical Requirements: Must be able to lift - push - stoop - squat - kneel - crouch and reach
• 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.

Duties

• Duties include - but not limited to: Administers physical therapy programs to adult and geriatric adult patients referred from all areas of the outpatient clinic - either directly or through the Clinical Director - Rehabilitation Services or staff physiatrist
• Plans and carries out the full range of treatment where therapeutic objectives are complex and procedures involved require the application of highly specialized skills and knowledge
• Completes evaluation and treatment in a timely fashion
• chart review will allow the incumbent an opportunity to assess appropriateness of the referral and possible contraindications for treatment
• Utilizes evaluation data to implement comprehensive patient treatment plans - involving patient in a goal-setting process - if feasible
• Modifies treatment plan according to evaluative findings on an ongoing basis to meet short and long-term goals
• Demonstrates a full professional understanding of the theories of treatment of physical therapy and their proper application through which the use of therapeutic physical rehabilitation and reconditioning procedures are implemented
• Recognizes adverse reaction to treatment and initiates effective action immediately
• Employs unusual motivational techniques to enlist patient participation and adapts equipment and procedures to carry out a full range of complex treatment activities
• Involves the patient - family members - caregivers - and pertinent health care staff in the treatment process by maintaining effective communications
• Communicates readily with the multidisciplinary treatment team - advising the team of patient's needs and progress - exchanging discharge planning information with them
• This communication occurs through team meetings - written reports - and informal communication - such as personal and telephone conversations
• Written communication is accomplished in a timely fashion
• Plans and implements appropriate patient education programs - involving the patient - family members and caregivers in the instructional process
• Works with a high degree of independence - exercising independent professional judgment in planning and carrying out treatment programs to meet complex treatment objectives
• Exercises originality in solving problems not covered by these guides - making adaptations and modifications of treatment plans and procedures without supervisory guidance - in order to meet the complex and highly varying needs of patients
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 55290F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized