Physical Therapist (Program Coordinator)

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. Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

01Basic Requirements

Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 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. 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. Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. 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.

02Grade Determinations

In addition to the basic requirements for appointment the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates. GS-13 Physical Therapist (Program Coordinator) Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Ability to apply advanced knowledge of contemporary physical therapy within specialty area to provide clinical guidance, training or education for internal and external stakeholders. Ability to serve as a consultant within the assigned program area for intra-agency and interagency planning and to provide service coordination to optimize program continuity, efficiency and effectiveness.

Knowledge of and skill in management, administration and/or education methodologies. This includes the ability to monitor and track data, utilize available resources effectively, evaluate program quality, and generate reports for local, and/or VISN and/or VACO leadership.

Ability to develop and coordinate treatment and/or educational programs within a concentrated field or specialty area, such as, but not limited to, amputee, spinal cord injury, chronic pain, student clinical education/residency programming, polytrauma/traumatic brain injury. Ability to establish and maintain collaborative relationships within department and with other departments or affiliated programs. Ability to guide the work of a multi-disciplinary team.

03Preferred Experience

Acute Care/ acute Inpatient Rehabilitation Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13.

04Physical Requirements

Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, and reach frequently throughout the workday. Strength and endurance: To lift and support patients, especially during transfers or exercises. Visual acuity: Clear vision to assess client needs and observe movements. Auditory perception: Ability to understand verbal instructions and client communication. Cognitive abilities: Quick decision-making, problem-solving, and adaptability to different situations.

Incumbent must be able to lift 50 pounds to chest height and maintain good body mechanics. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY Major Duties and Responsibilities Participates in the implementation of the admissions process, developing interventions and goals that maximize function for patients on 12-bed inpatient rehab unit. Collaborates with interdisciplinary team. Liaise with staff to communicate concerns to interdisciplinary team. Engages in the rehabilitation referral process, serving as the primary liaison for outside consultations requesting rehabilitation services.

Manages outside consults for potential admission into VA Inpatient Rehab by performing chart reviews to verify admission criteria and appropriateness in collaboration with PM&R Resident and Medical Providers. Coordinates admissions from the EOVAHCS other VA units, outside hospitals, SNFs, and home. Attend meetings and patient rounds as needed. Communicates regularly with staff to ensure pertinent and timely exchange of information.

Demonstrates effective oral and written communication skills to develop a rapport with patients, families, healthcare providers, referral sources, and home health agencies. Documents appropriately in Electronic Medical Record. EOVAHCS Comprehensive Integrated Inpatient Rehabilitation Program (CIIRP), responsible for implementation and management of program compliance, performance improvement, strategic plan development, and analysis of patient outcomes.

Ensures compliance with regulatory agencies such as Joint Commission. Assists with submission of outcomes data to VA Data Systems, Outcomes, and GG scores. Develops and documents Strategic Plan, Performance Improvement Plans, Outcomes Analyses and other documentation requirements. Safety issues for the Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit. As needed participates as Hospital Falls Committee member. Coordinates annual emergency safety training for the Interdisciplinary Team.

Develops and implements quality improvement efforts related to all aspects of patient care and the rehabilitation program. Collect data, analyze trends, and identify areas of improvement on patient safety and risk management. Assists in the development of policies and standard operating procedures with both Department and Hospital-wide committees. As needed acts as Chair of Rehab Steering Committee. Collaborates with authorization staff to ensure funding sources are utilized in a fiscally responsible manner.

Completes Community Care Consults for Medical Rehab to ensure timely and efficient care. Provides recommendation for alternative level of care. Collaborate with Community Nursing Home Program staff and Community Care staff as needed. The Physical Therapist is responsible for developing and administering treatment programs. In addition, s/he is responsible for his/her own professional development, keeping current with treatment techniques. Performs additional duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Functional Statement #: 623-61073-0