Current, permanent VA employees or Federal employees from another agency should apply under CBST-11803308-23-AK. The Staff Therapist is primarily engaged in work which deals with treating patients of all disability classifications and kinds of illness such as orthopedic, neurological, arthritic, paraplegia, hemiplegia, amputations, skin diseases, and combinations of the above. 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. English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education: 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. 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. 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 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. 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. Grade Determinations: Physical Therapist, GS-0633-12 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: 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. Preferred Experience: Prefer 3 years of inpatient physical therapy experience in an acute hospital care arena References: VA Handbook 5005/99 Part II Appendix G12, Physical Therapist, GS-0633, Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. 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: Moderate lifting (15-44 pounds), light carrying (under 15 pounds), use of fingers, both hands required, walking, standing, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, far vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing (aid may be permitted), emotional/mental stability. (See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services). ["VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY The duties of the Physical Therapist in the Specialty Care Service include but are not limited to: A. Receives treatment requests, prepares and coordinates treatment schedules, and administers prescribed treatments and/or tests in all phases of Physical therapy. B. 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. 1) Interviews patients and caregivers to gather historical information for initial patient assessment. 2) Interviews patients and caregivers to gather information for ongoing patient assessment. 3) Observes patient's ability to perform specified tasks in order to provide preliminary assessment of information on patient's physical and functional status. 4) Performs ongoing assessment of patient's physical and functional status. 5) Administers standardized test (e.g. manual muscle test, goniometry, girth measurement, vital signs). 6) Initiates evaluation testing related to physician's medical evaluation. 7) Makes recommendations regarding patient's need for services. C. Develops treatment goals. 1) Interacts with the patient and family to determine their goals for rehabilitation treatment. 2) Develops a comprehensive treatment plan that includes long term and short term goals. 3) Modifies treatment approaches, within the scope of the established treatment plan, to reflect patient's changing needs. D. Administers Patient Treatments. 1) Positions or repositions patients using proper transfer devices (e.g. transfer belt, sliding board) and procures assistance when necessary. 2) Adjusts and issues assistive devices for ambulation and instructs patients in the proper use, care, and safety of same. 3) Measures and adjusts wheelchairs and instructs patients in the proper use, care, and safety of same. 4) Instructs, motivates, and assists patients to learn and improve functional activities (e.g. ambulation, transfers, and bed mobility). 5) Instructs, motivates, and assists patients to improve pulmonary function. 6) Instructs patients in principles of cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary endurance. 7) Instructs patients in the use and care for orthosis, prosthesis, and supportive devices. 8) Instructs patients in proper gait patterns. 9) Instructs patients in exercise programs (ROM, flexibility, strengthening, general conditioning). E. Develops, implements, and coordinates intervention treatment plan in the following sensorimotor areas: 1) Range of Motion. 2) Muscle strength. 3) Gross motor coordination. 4) Endurance. 5) Postural balance. 6) Tactile awareness F. Develops, implements, and coordinates intervention plans in the following preventive health areas: 1) Energy conservation. 2) Joint protection. 3) Proper body mechanics. 4) Positioning. 5) Evaluating vital signs. 6) Fitness and lifestyle. F. Coordinates/Interfaces with others. 1) Coordinates intervention plans with other members of the treatment team. 2) Serves as resource person in areas of specific expertise. 3) Participates in professional and community activities. 4) Assists in collection of research and quality improvement data. 5) Maintains effective communication with patients, families, and other health care professionals to enhance patient care. G. Documents Information. 1) Documents preliminary assessments of patient data 2) Documents progress/change in status. 3) Documents functional and physical status upon discharge. 4) Documents patient or caregiver education. 5) Documents all test results. 6) Documents specific treatment evaluations and recommendation of treatment procedures. 7) Documents regular progress notes and discharge summaries on patients. H. Maintains equipment and work areas. 1) Performs non-technical maintenance of equipment to prevent malfunctions. 2) Maintains treatment area in a safe, orderly manner. 3) Assesses equipment needs and maintains adequate stock of supplies and materials. 4) Recognizes potentially hazardous situations (eg. Frayed cords, water of floor) and takes corrective action. 5) Recommends additions to departmental equipment and Physical Therapy treatment programs. I. Provides guidance/supervision. 1) Provides guidance/support to other clinical staff. 2) Supervises volunteers, PTA's, interns, and non-PT personnel. 3) Provide guidance/support to professional and technical students of approved physical therapist and physical therapist assistant programs. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 564-00250-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
