Physical Therapist

01Basic 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: 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. Non-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 licensed. Failure to obtain licensure during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment. Physical Requirements.

Pre-placement and periodic physical examinations are required for PTs 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. Drivers License: A current, state issued driver's license is required for this position. Note: We cannot accept photographs, therefor; do not submit a copy of your license with your application package.

If an interview is requested, you will be required to provide a copy of your current, valid state issued driver's license. A pre-placement examination will be required to be able to determine if the incumbent is able to safely operate a Government Vehicle. 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.

Grandfathering Provision: Only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria. All licensed PTs employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation.

For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Employees grandfathered into the GS-0633 occupational series as PTs may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation.

PTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of this qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of this standard.

PTs initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration, meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard and must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. If PTs who are grandfathered under this provision leave the occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.

02Grade Determinations

GS-11 Physical Therapist (Entry)-Education, Experience, and Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements. 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: Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities: 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.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is 12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 11 to 12.

03Physical Requirements

A pre-placement examination is required to be able to determine if the incumbent is able to safely operate a Government Vehicle. Up to 4-6 hours of the following: walking, standing, repeated bending Up to 1-2 hours of the following: straight pulling, puling hand over hand, pushing, crawling, climbing and kneeling. Required lifting light (under 15 pounds) to moderate (up to 44 pounds) and carrying light (under 15 pounds) to moderate (up to 44 pounds).

Required functional hearing with/without hearing aids, Near vision correctable at 13-16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, both eyes required, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors. Reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands and legs required. Sitting is required for meetings, administrative work and occasionally driving motor vehicle most of the day (ability to drive is required).

The position demands significant physical stress and strain such as transferring patients, crouching/crawling on mats, and occasionally defending self against combative patients assigned to the incumbent. Work may require good physical health, normal use of arms and legs and good visual and auditory acuity, to evaluate and treat patients, and to use computer, keyboard, monitor, phone, etc. Work is performed in the clinics, wards, exercise areas, office, conference rooms, and occasionally in the home.

May be exposed to infectious diseases, medical/psychiatric emergencies.

Clinical Functions/Patient Care Patient Evaluations: Schedule patients for evaluation considering the complexity and acuity of medical condition. Coordinates Veteran schedule with other interdisciplinary team members. Screen for systemic diseases and medical conditions that can mimic neuromuscular and musculoskeletal problems and examine and evaluate the movement system -including diagnosis and prognosis- to provide a customized and integrated plan of care to achieve the individual's goal-directed outcomes.

Perform examinations and evaluations of adult and geriatric individuals with acute and chronic injuries, 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.

Review medical records to interpret findings from examination, diagnostic studies and/or medical tests; selecting clinical tests and measures; and integrates findings into the physical therapy plan of care for the full range of patient populations, using relevant evidence-based data and norms. 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.

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. Evaluates and recommends appropriate equipment needed to substitute for loss of function or to substitute for limited function of individuals they treat.

Therapist has knowledge, experience and skill in the prescription, fitting, and training in orthotics/prosthetic devices, assistive devices, adaptive equipment, and assistive technology utilized in the outpatient setting. Treatment Implementation: Evaluation findings are used to develop and implement comprehensive patient treatment plans including objective, measurable goals, timeliness for completion. Goals are developed in collaboration with the patient, family and/or stakeholder input.

Modifies treatment plan according to patient response to treatment and towards meeting established goals. Documents treatment progression and/or modifications accordingly. Demonstrates a full professional understanding of selective therapeutic techniques and modalities related to the patient population being treated. May serve as a resource to other, less experience therapists. Develops Home Programs for patients as indicated at discharge.

Instructs significant others in ways to assist patients to carry out home program and in the use of equipment and assistive devices issued. Administrative functions include: Assist to receive and triage patient referrals/consults, patient self-referrals and adheres to consult compliance established guidelines and is knowledgeable of admission criteria for each program (inpatient/outpatient) for appropriate continuum of care placement. Manages and coordinates schedules and programs determined by patient caseload.

Adapts schedules to meet unscheduled treatments when situation arises. Understand and adheres to department and facility procedures. Identifies, collects and analyzes appropriate patient care information to provide a data base to develop performance evaluation system(s) and Process Improvement projects related to the clinical setting. Participates in Process Improvement activities related to CLC (e.g. Cultural Transformation, Patient Centered Care, etc.), CIIRP, PM&R and VANTHCS.

Participates in update of evaluation forms and protocols to adequately meet the requirements of the program and types of patients in the assigned clinical setting. Delegates tasks/procedures to the appropriate support personnel to facilitate effective and efficient patient care. Assists in ordering adequate supplies and maintaining inventory for assigned clinic(s). Reports all safety hazards and faulty equipment to the Lead Therapist and/or Supervisor Program Manager.

Work Schedule: Tuesday through Saturday, 7:30AM to 4:00PM; PRN weekend and PRN Holiday coverage Travel Statement: Travel will be less than 25% of the time. The position requires travel for patient care to multiple VANTHCS duty stations. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 56274-F and 56275-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized