Summary

The Physical Therapist independently evaluates patients - plans - executes and modifies a full range of treatment procedures designed to restore optimal function to patients. The incumbent will provide physical therapy to hospitalized patients who often have multiple interacting complex acute and/or chronic medical problems in the inpatient setting.

Qualifications

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:

• Citizenship
• Candidates must be a citizen of the United States
• 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: Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist
• (Or) Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist
• (OR) - 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
• 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
• See Chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a - this part
• Grade Determinations: GS-11 Education - Experience - and Licensure
• None beyond the basic requirements
• Assignment
• PTs at this level are responsible for providing assessment and treatment intervention
• PTs plan and modify treatment based on a patient's response to intervention and/or change in medical condition
• PTs at this level may be given general assignments in any physical therapy program area where advanced specialized knowledge is not required or may serve as the sole PT such as in an outpatient clinic
• Licensed PTs may provide oversight and delegate patient care responsibilities to a Physical Therapist Assistant - and/or delegate non-patient care duties to non-licensed staff
• PTs that are not licensed must practice under the close supervision of a licensed PT
• 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: 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
• Assignment
• At the full performance level - PTs are responsible for independently providing assessment and treatment interventions to inpatients and outpatients received through healthcare provider referrals and patient self-referrals
• PTs interpret findings from examination - diagnostic studies/medical tests and - during evaluation - select appropriate clinical tests and measures - and then integrate findings into the physical therapy plan of care for the full range of patient populations
• PTs establish a diagnosis within the scope of physical therapy and identify the appropriate intervention to treat and/or refer to another provider for further consultation when needed
• They determine physical therapy prognosis by incorporating examination findings with the patient's preferences for meaningful level of function in order to set clinically appropriate treatment goals and optimize outcomes
• Physical therapists select appropriate equipment needed to substitute for loss of function or to substitute for limited function of individuals they treat
• Staff PTs at this level practice autonomously - making recommendations and referrals to other medical specialties/services as clinically indicated during ongoing assessment of patients under their care
• The staff PT may also develop and provide individualized clinical training experiences for physical therapy students in facilities with established clinical experience rotations
• PTs at this level may be given general assignments in any/all areas where physical therapy services are deemed necessary - and/or may serve as the sole PT at a less complex facility
• Individuals may perform ancillary assignments as deemed appropriate given the needs of a facility on an occasional basis - where the amount of work is not substantial (less than 25% of the duty time)
• Preferred Experience: 1-2 years minimum inpatient experience
• Physical Requirements: Should have the ability to perform repetitive physical activities: typing/keyboarding (up to 4 hours)
• walking and standing (up to 4 hours)
• bending/stooping (up to 6 hours)
• kneeling - reaching - moderate to heavy lifting (35 pounds) and carrying (up to 2 hours)
• etc
• Sitting is required for meetings - administrative work and occasionally driving motor vehicle most of the day
• Use of fingers and both hands and ability to drive are required
• Work may require good physical health - normal use of arms and legs and good visual and auditory acuity
• Work is performed in the clinics - exercise areas - wards - office and conference rooms
• May be exposed to infectious diseases - medical and psychiatric emergencies.

Duties

• A
• Clinical Demonstrates ability to make autonomous clinical decisions in a Direct Access environment with consideration for local Scope of Practice guidelines
• This includes the ability to independently evaluate and treat patients who seek physical therapy services
• Reviews and screens patient's medical record for appropriateness of PT intervention - nothing any potential risks or contraindications to treatment and to assist in guiding the evaluation process
• Screens inpatients for readiness to begin PT
• Performs comprehensive evaluations and examinations of patients who have or may develop impairments - activity limitations - and participation restrictions related to conditions of the musculoskeletal - neuromuscular - cardiovascular - pulmonary and/or integumentary systems
• Interprets findings - selects appropriate tests and measures - and integrates findings into the PT plan of care
• Establishes a diagnosis within the scope of physical therapy and identifies the appropriate rehabilitation intervention - including referral to another provider for further consultation
• Determines PT prognosis by incorporating examination findings with patient's preference in setting clinically appropriate treatment goals - optimize outcomes and maximize functional independence
• Addresses rehabilitation potential - learning needs and patient response to education
• Identifies barriers to learning and strategies to overcome them
• Performs the full range of PT treatment procedures - modifying the treatment according to the patient's response to PT intervention
• Attends multidisciplinary rounds of specified bed services (such as orthopedics - neurosurgery - vascular or medicine) as rehabilitation representative
• May serve as liaison to that service
• Recognize adverse reactions to treatment and initiates effective action immediately
• Modifies treatment plan according to patient response to best meet established goals
• Educational Investigates current concepts and scientific principles in Physical Therapy practice through literature reviews and study of current research
• Focuses efforts on Physical Therapy in the inpatient acute care setting
• Applies evidence-based treatment approaches to clinical practice
• Regularly attends continuing education courses - conferences and inservices in the professional community and within the VA
• Orients patient - physicians - allied health professionals - students - volunteers - and community representatives to the purpose and function of Physical Therapy within the acute care setting
• Provides in-services and clinical training programs on topics of Physical Therapy in the hospital setting to peers and other Medical Center staff including nurses - physicians and allied health professionals
• Serves as a mentor to junior therapists
• Provides clinical oversight of students and interns on clinical affiliations who are in Doctoral PT Programs or PTA programs
• Assists Center Coordinator for with developing and upgrading student training program content
• Administrative Records and submits in a timely manner productivity and workload information
• Submits other data and reports as requested by Supervisor
• Understands and adheres to Rehabilitation Section's policies and procedures as outlined in Section manual
• Completes all patient related documentation activities in the required time frame including but not limited to documentation in the patient's record - prosthetic requests - patient coverage sheets - FIM and MDS
• Participates in PT quality improvement (QI) program by regularly contributing to the monitoring of important aspects of patient care including peer chart reviews
• Assists in problem solving of administrative issues between PT department and other Medical Center departments
• Attends departmental PT and Rehabilitation staff meetings
• Carries out other job-related activities and special assignments as requested by supervisor
• VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY Work Schedule: Sun-Mon 0800-1630
• Wed-Thurs 0800-1530 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 662 04983F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized