The Physical Therapist at this level is a direct access independent practice professional who is responsible for evaluating patients and establishing and executing interventional treatment plans that include a full range of treatment procedures and modalities. These treatment plans are designed to restore patients to the highest possible functional level.

Duties

VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY The duties of the Physical Therapist in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service include, but not limited to: Clinical 1. Evaluates patients using standard and non-standard techniques to identify specific Physical Therapy treatment problems. 2. Develops a specific Physical Therapy treatment plan for each patient for whom they are responsible. 3. Establishes short term and long term Physical Therapy patient treatment goals. 4. Implements treatment programs to meet Physical Therapy treatment goals. 5. Frequently assesses the patient's progress toward Physical Therapy treatment goals; modifying the goals and treatment program as indicated. 6. Monitors patient's emergency medical needs; intolerance to treatment; changes in patient's physical/mental status; and takes appropriate action as necessary. 7. Documents and otherwise communicates results of evaluation and treatment according to PT Clinical Competency Review Criteria. 8. Participates and actively represents Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service as a liaison in ward rounds, patient planning conferences, discharge planning conferences, specialty clinics, and assigned medical or departmental meetings. 9. Maintains current knowledge and understanding of all patient care Physical Therapy treatment equipment in the department, it's use and contraindications. 10. Recognizes diversity among patients/staff and demonstrates sensitivity to cultural, age, gender, and people with disabilities. 11. Provides patient care/support that is appropriate to the cognitive, physical and emotional needs of the patient group served. Interacts with people at all age levels ranging from adolescent through geriatric and must be aware of and respond appropriately to the physical, social, and psychological differences among these groups. 12. Recommends referral of patients to other services or programs when appropriate. 13. Provides instruction in the care and use of assistive devices, adaptive equipment, orthotic devices and prosthesis. Fabricates such items as feasible. 14. Utilizes appropriate physical therapy modalities by the use of exercise, massage, heat or cold, air, light, water, electricity or sound for the purpose of correcting or alleviating any physical or mental condition, or the purpose of preventing the development of any physical or mental disability, or the performance of tests of neuromuscular function as an aid to the diagnosis or treatment of any human condition. 15. Uses appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE's) when providing treatment and/or using equipment for treatment as outlined above. Observes all safety precautions/procedures related to treatment or equipment. 16. Independently provides clinical oversight of Physical Therapy Assistants involved in physical therapy treatment to maintain overall responsibility of treatment and plan of care for patient. Administrative 1. Maintains and promptly submits statistical reports as scheduled. 2. Identifies and corrects, if possible, any safety hazards and reports equipment malfunctions. 3. Maintains supplies at effective level for treatment and ensures their appropriate use. 4. Maintains knowledge of and acts within physical therapy scope of practice and the current policies and procedures of the department and hospital. 5. Maintains effective communication with patients, families and other health care professionals to enhance patient care. 6. Recommends additions to departmental equipment and Physical Therapy treatment programs. 7. Supervises and guides non-licensed staff involved In Physical Therapy treatment to maintain overall responsibility of treatment. 8. Manages effective use of time/schedules for Physical Therapy. 9. Demonstrates cost containment and efficiency in all aspects of the position. Develops and initiates cost containment strategies 10. Assures that documentation supports ICD-10 and CPT codes utilized to capture workload and for billing purposes Work Schedule: Mon-Fri, 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not available Virtual: Not available Functional Statement #: 598-00094-F and 598-000093-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

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. 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 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. 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: Physical Therapist, GS-0633-11 Education, Experience, and Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements. Resume must include hours per week for work experience credit 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: Resume must include hours per week for work experience credit. License MUST be attached to the application to qualify for this grade. 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: PM&RS is seeking the best qualified physical therapist with preferred experience in the outpatient setting with the following responsibilities: Develops and implements complex, goal oriented treatment plans for patients, presenting with a multiplicity of dysfunction and impairments in physical, functional, and adaptive areas Provides independent evaluation and therapeutic interventions to a full range of wounded, ill, and injured veterans. Teaches alternative or compensatory techniques for rehabilitation, reconditioning, and functional tasks, regardless of physical, mental, and/or cognitive deficits. Designs treatment plans to meet patient/clinical objectives Provides education and consultation to patients and other providers, including development of training programs. Provides recommendations for continued treatment, home programs, and reconditioning, as well as guidance on physical health, functional, and adaptive activities. Leads a pulmonary home based rehabilitation program based on national guidance which includes patient treatment, data collection, report completion, and attendance at national conference calls and meetings. 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 in the range of GS-11 to GS-12. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 pounds and over), moderate carrying (15-44 pounds), straight pulling, pushing, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking, standing, crawling, kneeling, repeated bending, climbing, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/50and to 20/100 in the other, ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing (aid permitted), mental and emotional stability. (See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services).

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address John L McClellan Memorial Veterans' Hospital 4300 West Seventh Street Little Rock, AR 72205 US
• Name: Sandi Adkins
• Phone: 601-368-4431
• Email: [email protected]