Physical Therapist

SummaryThis position is in the Physical Therapy Section within Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service. The Physical Therapist (PT) at this level provides assessment and treatment intervention on an independent basis across the continuum of care and services. S/he is expected to carry out general duty assignments. This position supports the Medical Center - community-based outpatient clinics (CBOC) - and Comprehensive Integrated Inpatient Rehabilitation Program (CIIRP) referrals.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 PolicyEducation 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 therapy NOTE: 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.orgLicensureIndividuals 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 appointmentEnglish Language ProficiencyIndividuals appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 7 4 - to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA must be proficient in written and spoken EnglishSee Chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a - this partGrandfathering: 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)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-12Grade Determinations: GS-11 Physical Therapist (Entry Level): (a) Education - Experience - and LicensureNone beyond the basic requirementsGS-12Physical Therapist (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: Ability to make autonomous clinical decisions in a Direct Access environmentThis includes ability to independently evaluate and treat patients who seek physical therapy servicesSkill 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 factorsAbility 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 populationsAbility 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 indicatedAbility 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 independenceAbility 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 as Neurologic Physical TherapistNCS is not required but relevant work experience should be notedReference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/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.DutiesThe duties of the position may include but are not limited to the following: GS-11 General Duties: The staff physical therapist is a registered professional therapist who is primarily responsible for evaluating - planning and implementing the treatment program for patients with various disabilities and medical conditionsThe therapist functions as an independent care provider within the healthcare team making autonomous clinical decisions in a Direct Access environmentTo function at the GS-11 level - the therapist must have a complete knowledge and depth of problem-solving skills to develop and modify the treatments programs for a wide variety of disabilitiesThe therapist functioning at the GS-11 level will be expected to apply thorough evaluation principles to tease out difficult clinical symptomsThey will need to exhibit flexibility in problem solving as required by the findings on evaluationTreatments instituted by the GS-11level clinician will be based on current research and evidence-based practicesThe therapist is responsible for his/her own professional development - keeping current with treatment techniques as well as licensureGS-11 Clinical Duties Interprets the prescriptions requesting PT using specialized skills and medical knowledge in the evaluation of the patients' medical conditionEvaluates the patient's present functional level and disabilitiesAges of patients served at this facility range from the young adult ages 20-end of lifeThere is great variance in the developmental needs of these patientsEvery effort will be taken to modify treatment in response to these variances so that optimal care can be provided for each patient referred for physical medicine and rehabilitation servicesGS-11 Administrative/Education Documents clearly and concisely the objective findings noted during the evaluations as well as changes in medical status via progress notesA therapist at this level will be able to document appropriately to support the level of care given as evaluated by peer reviewThis includes understanding and practicing documentation and coding practices to maximize reimbursement potentialAccurately maintains documentation in keeping with PM&R service-level and hospital-wide policiesMaintains an elevated level of professional competence through participation in continuing education such as attending workshops and conferences - and through continuous review of medical-therapeutic literature resulting in a contemporary understanding of evidence-based PT practiceGS-12 General Duties: Responsible for the examination and treatment of patients referred to the Physical Therapy SectionProvides in-service and clinical training programs in area of specialty for hospital staffDesigns - conducts - and evaluates education - experiences within specialty content area for staff members - taking an active role in Lunch and Learn - and seeks educational opportunities to enhance the Physical Therapy Section - PM&RS - and the Medical CenterEstablishes and maintains contact with other key staff involved in patient care via written - telephone - and personal communication on a regular basis at the Medical Center and VISN levelGS-12 Clinical Skills: Conducts comprehensive patient examinations to identify rehabilitation problems and establish treatment goalsADevelops and implements treatment plans designed to meet established goalsBEvaluates patient response to treatment and modifies the treatment plan to provide optimum outcomeThe PT conducts examinations - treatment planning and interventions - documentation - and follow-up evaluations at the Terre Haute VA Outpatient ClinicThe PT performs examination - treatment planning and intervention - and documentation as needed for support personnel and any assigned Staff PTAdministrative Functions: Conducts record keeping related to patient care documentation and quality improvement (QI) data collection as specified by the Supervisor - Physical Therapy Section Work Schedule: Monday-Friday7:30AM-4:00PM Telework: Not Eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #s: 92072-0 and 92654-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Not Authorized