Pain Management - Physical Therapist provides evaluation and treatment for patients with complex functional and medical conditions including, but not limited to polytrauma, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, amputations, orthopedic and/or neuro-musculoskeletal dysfunction. Requires expansive clinical expertise of muscular, skeletal, cardiopulmonary, lymphatic, integument, and neurological systems. Provides treatment & instructions to patients as well as clinical education/consultations. 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. (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: 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. 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) (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. Experience at the lower level is considered: 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.) Preferred Experience: Pain management References: VA Handbook 5005/99, Part II, Appendix G12 dated 2/7/2018. 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-12 only. Physical Requirements: pre-employment physical is required. ["VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY Direct Care/Clinical Practice: - Screens patients for Physical Therapy services for appropriateness, types of services and rehabilitation potential. - Assesses functional and musculoskeletal dysfunction using appropriate test/tools. - Records assessment findings in the medical record. Documents all appropriate and pertinent information in the patient medical record. - Establishes Physical Therapy treatment programs recognizing appropriateness and contraindications. - Continuously re-evaluates, adapts and modifies complex treatment plans as needed based on follow-up assessment, functional abilities and patient goals. - Independently plans, develops, and implements complex, innovative treatment programs to solve complex problems, and then adapts/modifies the program to meet the patients' changing needs. - Integrates Physical Therapy program with multidisciplinary treatment plan by consulting with physicians, physician-extenders, other rehabilitative specialists, dietitians, social workers and other health care providers as needed. - Evaluates medical needs for orthotic, prosthetic or other adaptive equipment. Requests appropriate orthotics/equipment, issues to patient and teaches patient/family safe, correct use. - Recommends adjustment, repairs and documents same. - Instructs, motivates and assists patients and caregivers in individualized special programs and use of exercise equipment and/or compensatory techniques. - Provides safety/mobility instructions to prevent falls and injuries. - Collaborates with the medical team in developing and modifying treatment plans for PT patients based on functional abilities and patient goals. - Communicates effectively with diverse populations including patient, family members and members of the health care team. - Provides education, recommendations and/or treatment to address areas of function and safety in the home. - Recommends referral to other health professionals as deemed necessary. - Participates in planning and day-to-day operation of the Physical Therapy clinic. - Establishes schedules for the Physical Therapy Clinic to insure adequate time for consultations, assessment, treatment and education. - Provides flexibility in daily scheduling to accommodate same day referrals, consultation with medical providers and family conferences. - Consults as needed with providers by phone/pager, e-mail or through written consults. - Provides clinical education regarding Physical Therapy for Wilkes-Barre VAMC and affiliated CBOC medical staff, interns, residents and other health care professionals. - Defines and meets own learning needs to maintain professional qualifications and standing. - Completes all mandatory training required by the medical center. - Assesses needs and learning abilities for patients/families referred for PT. Provides appropriate educational materials and services to meet the patients' needs and abilities. Updates Physical Therapy educational materials, handouts, home programs as necessary. - Arranges and serves as instructor for staff in-service training programs. - Lectures at affiliated college or university PT/PTA programs as requested. - Serves as clinical instructor for PT students: a) Provides clinical supervision with regular/ongoing feedback. b) Plans/schedules to meet students and schools objectives. c) Evaluates performance according to school guidelines. d) Maintains contact with programs Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education. - Monitors and reports health and safety hazards. - Reports electrical and mechanical malfunctions according to Medical Center policies. - Reports accidents/incidents according to Medical Center regulations. - Attends scheduled training sessions as required by services in which duties are performed. - Demonstrates knowledge of fire and emergency plans for assigned work area(s). - Demonstrates competence in CPR, first aid and infection control procedures. - Responsible for knowing what reusable instruments, equipment, medical devices or supplies are in use in the clinical area. - Obtains, reads, and follows Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) for all RME in use in the clinical area. - Follows all local SOP's in proper setup, use, and reprocessing. - Consults SPD and Infection Control when clarification of written instructions is needed. - Participates in research studies as may be requested. - Serves as resource person or consultant to persons conducting research projects. - Identifies research findings relevant to Physical Therapy and utilizes this data when/where appropriate. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Compressed/Flexible: not available. Telework: not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: PHYSICAL THERAPIST Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]