The Physical Therapist (PT) demonstrates application of knowledge, skills and abilities associated with current professional physical therapy practice. This position is responsible for the care and treatment of patients referred to the Primary Care Physical Therapy Section of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) and will spend most of the time working within the primary care area. 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 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. NOTE. Individuals 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)). Loss of Credential. A PT who fails to maintain the required license must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment. At the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may be reassigned to another occupation, if qualified, and if a placement opportunity exists. 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. 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). Grade Determinations: GS-12 Physical Therapist (Full Performance Level) 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. Guided by differential and movement diagnoses, PTs perform 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 personal and environmental factors. 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: Experience in an orthopedic and/or primary care setting; preferred in a direct access setting. References: VA Handbook 5005/99, Part II, Appendix G12. Physical Therapist Qualification Standard GS-0633 dated February 7, 2018. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Pre-placement and periodic physical examinations may be 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. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. ["The Physical Therapist (PT) continues to maintain and learn routine to advanced skills in the area of outpatient physical therapy by attending continuing education courses and training when applicable. The incumbent will maintain, and advance orthopedic and manual therapy skills needed to perform and interpret specialized evaluative procedures and tests in addition to evaluating treatment outcomes in routine to complex patient presentations. The physical therapist is expected to carry out additional assignments as applicable for the continued advancement of primary care physical therapy and in support of Physical Medicine and Rehab Services and other specialty clinics. CLINICAL: The Physical Therapist, clinical specialist responsibilities include, but are not limited to: The Physical Therapist demonstrates a high degree of independence and professional judgment in planning and executing treatment programs to meet routine treatment objectives for the general outpatient and orthopedic population. Independently evaluates and assesses patients self-referred through direct patient referral or from referral of primary care provider to determine the treatment course to be followed. Exercises originality in solving problems not covered by this guide, makes innovative adaptations of the clinical procedures herein to meet the complex and highly varying needs of the general orthopedic population and advises all other health care team members in this regard. 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. Assesses and requests prosthetic/orthotic equipment as needed and is able to make modifications as necessary. Participates in regular team meetings, verbal and written communication and consultation amongst team members to guide and evaluate the work of the multi-disciplinary Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) physical therapy program. Assists in the care of patients other than those of the specialized area of orthopedic physical therapy as caseload permits, or as the needs of the department dictate. Maintains a workload consistent with the standards established by the Physical Therapy Section and the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service. Education: Develops and provides individualized clinical training experience for physical therapy students. Shares knowledge and expertise about the scope of physical therapy practice and services provided to the orthopedic population within the physical therapy department, PM&R Service, medical center, and community. Completes educational activities and competencies to maintain state licensure and any additional certification(s) as required by the certifying/licensing agency and the VA. Completes annual mandatory reviews and other education as directed by National Headquarters, VISN, Medical Center, Service Line, and Department. Administrative: Participates in program development for both the PACT teams and physical therapy department to improve efficiency and quality of care provided to patients. Represents primary care physical therapy in the development of policies and procedures, quality assurance monitors and related standards of care. Attends educational and development meetings for PACT PT, PM&R service, and primary care. The PT is aware of safety concerns, regulations, policies, and procedures, and employs appropriate safety practices. Participates in peer review processes and other processes appropriate to maintain training associated with licensed independent practitioner requirements or as applicable. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm. Telework: Ad-hoc telework may be available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
