Physical Therapist

Summary

Therapist will practice Physical Therapy (PT) at the assigned location throughout STVHCS Geriatrics & Extended Care (GEC) Programs as directed by the assigned Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) supervisor. A PT evaluates patients, plans, provides a full range of treatments designed to improve function through the use of physical modalities, therapeutic exercise, education, prostheses, assistive devices, and any other modality within the scope as outlined by the American Physical Therapy Association.

Duties

• VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY Major Duties: Clinical: Candidates must be licensed for assignment at this grade level and are considered to be at the full performance level. Staff PTs at this level are responsible for providing assessment of patients and treatment interventions. They are assigned to all program areas which are covered by the GEC Service and provide professional, independent physical therapy services in the assigned area(s). PTs at this level may be given general assignments in any physical therapy program area where the advanced specialized knowledge is not required on a recurring basis due to the patient population served and complexity of the facility and/or treatment area or may serve as the sole PT at a less complex facility. Individuals may perform ancillary assignments, including program management duties on an occasional basis, where the complexity and amount of work is not substantial (less than 25% of duty time). Assigns, manages, and evaluates work of subordinate staff. Upon referral from a physician, evaluates patients in complex cases to determine functional status, identifies problems and needs for individualized therapy treatment. Independently plans and develops comprehensive programs to meetpatients' needs within specialty programs. Reviews physical therapy documentation of initial findings, treatment goals estimated length of treatment, equipment recommendations, interim progress, and discharge summary in patients' medical records. Communicates effectively with physical therapy and medical center staff. Works effectively with health care providers in coordinating the patients' total care. Participates in conferences and assigned medical meetings. Understands rationale for all clinic procedures and has good operating knowledge of all equipment in the Physical Therapy Clinic. Administration Assigns and evaluates work of subordinate staff. Maintains attendance records and submits monthly reports and statistics. Maintains procedures consistent with STVHCS policies. Assists in the development of standards of care to ensure compliance with professional accrediting organizations. Maintains all data for quality assurance monitoring and evaluates data at specific intervals. Maintains adequate level of supplies. Maintains equipment in safe and operable condition through inspection and submission of work orders, as necessary. Other duties as assigned. Education Supervises and trains physical therapy students and volunteers. If assigned, acts as clinical education coordinator for the HCBC Section. Provides in-services training for physical therapy staff and other professionals, as necessary. Orients Visitors and volunteers to the role of physical therapy. Maintains professional state license and competency through continuing education with completion in each biennium of 3.0 Continuing Competency Units (CCU's). Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00AM - 4:30PM Telework: Ad-Hoc Only. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 55520-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Qualifications

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: 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. NOTE: Prior to 1995 the terminal degree for PT's was either a bachelors or master's degree. In 1995 CAPTE accredited all baccalaureate, master's, and Doctor of Physical Therapy terminal degree programs. Effective 2002, CAPTE changed its scope of accrediting activities of PT education programs to include only those programs that culminate in postbaccalaureate degrees(eliminating the baccalaureate degree). Effective 2015, professional physical therapy education programs have only offered the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree to all new students. 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 in subparagraph 3b 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. The Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT) is a non-profit organization created to assist the United States (U.S.) Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly INS) and U.S. state licensing authorities by evaluating the credentials of Foreign Educated Physical Therapists (FEPTs) who wish to immigrate and work in the U.S. 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. The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) is committed to protect the public and to provide leadership within the field and practice of physical therapy. FSBPT's Foreign Educated Standards Committee has developed standards that represent "best practices" in evaluation services. The Credentials Evaluation Standards were developed with input from the physical therapy credentialing agencies that are licensed to use FSBPT's Coursework Tool. 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. 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 o…

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. Qualifications section continued: 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-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 to GS-12. Physical Requirements: Light lifting, under 15 pounds; Light carrying, under 15 pounds; Use of fingers; Both hands required;