Physical Therapist

SummaryThe Physical Therapist is primarily located in Central Arkansas Veteran Healthcare System in the North Littler Rock location and is responsible for evaluating patients and establishing and executing interventional treatment plans that include a full range of treatment procedures and modalities. These treatment plans are designed to restore patients to the highest possible functional level. They collaborate across the continuum of care ensuring that services are coordinated.QualificationsApplicants 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 RequirementsUnited States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA PolicyEnglish Language ProficiencyIndividuals 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 EnglishEducation and experienceThe 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 therapyNOTE: Prior to 1995 the terminal degree for PT's was either a bachelors or master's degreeIn 1995 CAPTE accredited all baccalaureate - master's - and Doctor of Physical Therapy terminal degree programsEffective 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 studentsNOTE: Individuals must be a graduate of a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredited college or universityThe 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 programsVerification of accredited programs may be obtained from the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) at www.apta.org(4) Foreign GraduatesGraduates 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 ColumbiaThe 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 USThe 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 therapyFSBPT's Foreign Educated Standards Committee has developed standards that represent ""best practices"" in evaluation servicesThe Credentials Evaluation Standards were developed with input from the physical therapy credentialing agencies that are licensed to use FSBPT's Coursework ToolLicensureIndividuals 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 ColumbiaNon-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 licensedFailure to obtain licensure during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointmentNOTEIndividuals 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 employmentThis requirement does not apply to licensed physical therapists on VA rolls as of November 30 - 1999 - provided the individual maintains a continuous appointment and is not disqualified for employment by any subsequent revocations or voluntary surrenders of State license - registration or certificationMay 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)Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for appointment - the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidatesGS-11 Physical Therapist (Entry) (a)Education - Experience - and LicensureNone beyond the basic requirementsGS-12 Physical Therapist (Full Performance Level) (a)Education - Experience and LicensureIn 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 environmentThis includes ability to independently evaluate and treat patients who seek physical therapy services2.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 factors3.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 populations4.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 indicated5.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 independence6.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 ProgramsPreferred Experience: Experience in Inpatient settingReference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 to GS-12Qualifications continue in Education section.DutiesDuties of the Physical Therapist include - but are not limited to: Clinical: Evaluates patients using standard and non-standard techniques to identify specific Physical Therapy treatment problemsPerforms tests and measurements of the patient's condition and interprets results of tests and measurements of the patient's condition for use in establishing a diagnosis within the scope of physical therapy - developing the treatment plan - modifying the treatment plan - and evaluating results of treatmentEstablishes short term and long-term Physical Therapy clinically appropriate patient treatment goals and implements treatment programs to meet these goalsAssesses the patient's progress toward Physical Therapy treatment goalsmodifying the goals and treatment program as indicatedMonitors patient's emergency medical needsintolerance to treatmentchanges in patient's physical/mental statusand takes appropriate action as necessaryDocuments and otherwise communicates results of evaluation and treatment according to PT Clinical Competency Review CriteriaParticipates and actively represents Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service as a liaison in ward rounds - patient planning conferences - discharge planning conferences - specialty clinics and assigned medical or departmental meetingsMaintains current knowledge and understanding of all patient care - Physical Therapy treatment equipment in the department - its uses and contraindicationsRecognizes diversity among patients/staff and demonstrates sensitivity to cultural - age - gender - and people with disabilitiesProvides patient care/support that is appropriate to the cognitive - physical - and emotional needs of the patient group servedInteracts with people at all age levels ranging from adolescents through geriatric and must be aware of and respond appropriately to the physical - social - and psychological differences among these groupsRecommends referral of patients to other services or programs when appropriateProvides instruction in the care and use of assistive devices - adaptive equipment - orthotic devices - and prosthesisFabricates such items as feasibleUtilizes appropriate physical therapy modalities using exercise - massage - heat or cold - air - light - water - electricity - or sound for the purpose of correcting or alleviating any physical or mental condition - or the purpose of preventing the development of any physical or mental disability - or the performance of tests of neuromuscular function as an aid to the diagnosis or treatment of any human conditionSolves problems not covered by standard procedures - adapts - and modifies treatment plans - activities - and procedures without supervisory guidance to meet complex and challenging needs of the patientsAssists other physical therapy staff members in modifying and adapting treatment plansServes as Clinical Instructor as assignedAdministrative: Maintains and promptly submits statistical reports as scheduledIdentifies and corrects - if possible - any safety hazards and reports equipment malfunctionsMaintains supplies at effective level for treatment and ensures their appropriate useMaintains knowledge of and acts within physical therapy scope of practice and the current policies and procedures of the department and hospitalMaintains effective communication with patients - families - and other health care professionals to enhance patient careRecommends additions to departmental equipment and Physical Therapy treatment programsSupervises and guides non-licensed staff involved In Physical Therapy treatment to maintain overall responsibility of treatmentManages effective use of time/schedules for Physical TherapyDemonstrates cost containment and efficiency in all aspects of the positionDevelops and initiates cost containment strategiesAssures that documentation supports ICD-10 and CPT codes utilized to capture workload and for billing purposes Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:30 am - 5:00 pm - subject to change based on the needs of the facilityTelework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #: 598-00093-F598-00094-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized