The Physical Therapist position is in the Physical Therapy section of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service at VA Palo Alto Health Care System and is expected to provide coverage throughout the Health Care System including all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the Physical Therapy Section.

Duties

Clinical 1. Independently provide assessment and treatment interventions received through provider referral or patient self-referral. 2. Perform examinations and evaluations to patients who have or may develop impairments, activity limitations, and participations 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. 3. Interpret findings from examination, diagnostic studies/medical tests, drug evaluation, select appropriate clinical tests and measures, and integrate findings into the physical therapy plan of care. 4. Establish a diagnosis within the scope of physical therapy and identify the appropriate intervention to treat and/or refer to another provider for further consolation when needed. 5. Develops appropriate treatment plans and goals; performs complex treatment procedures modifying the treatment according to the patient's changing medical condition or because of a variety of severe physical disabilities. 6. Determines physical therapy prognosis by incorporating examination findings with the patient's preferences for meaningful level of function to set clinically appropriate treatment goals and optimize outcomes. 7. Considers age specific needs of the patient when conducting evaluations, planning and conducting treatment programs. Target population: Adult and geriatric veteran. 8. Selects appropriate equipment needed to substitute for loss of function or to substitute for limited function of individuals. 9. Practice autonomously, making recommendations and referrals to other medical specialties/services as clinically indicated during ongoing assessment of patients under their care. 10. Effectively communicates both orally and in writing and performs required documentation in a timely manner. 11. Works with treatment team members and other health care providers in coordinating the patient's total care. 12. Recognizes contraindications or inappropriate treatments which are health threatening to the patient. 13. Perform general assignments in any/all areas where physical therapy services are deemed necessary. 14. Provides clinical practice guidance for other staff PTs and assist with problem solving. He/she assists PTs in determining treatment options for complex patients with multiple conditions. Educational 1. Enhances own professional growth by attending seminars, workshops, lectures, and in-service meetings, especially in the specialty field. 2. Conducts in-service programs for the physical therapy section and other disciplines and shares knowledge of new or improved techniques with staff. 3. Acts as clinical supervisor and preceptor for physical therapy and physical therapy assistant students to fulfill their educational and professional requirements. Administrative 1. Ensures proper supply levels are maintained for patient treatment. 2. Maintains and submits in a timely manner, statistics and other required reports. 3. Understands and adheres to policies and procedures in the section manual. Work Schedule: Tuesday-Saturday, 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

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. English Language Proficiency: Physical Therapists must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. 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. OR (Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. OR 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. Grade Determinations: GS-11: Education, Experience, and Licensure.None beyond the basic requirements GS-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 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/99 PART II APPENDIX G12 II-G12-3 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: This works involves standing and walking for about 50% of a normal workday. In addition, the Physical Therapist must be able to squat, kneel, push and pull, and lift loads from the ground and from above shoulder height. The physical demand level as defined by the Department of Labor is 'Medium' requiring the occasional lifting of 20-50lbs, the frequent lifting of 10-25lbs and the constant lifting of 10lbs during the normal workday. Physical Therapy requires manual dexterity and coordination to use modalities such as ultrasound and TENS units, and to demonstrate the use of mobility equipment such as walkers and wheelchairs. In addition, physical therapists must be able to modify such equipment using tools including screwdrivers and wrenches.

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 Palo Alto VA Medical Center 3801 Miranda Avenue Palo Alto, CA 94304 US
• Name: Timothy McBrian
• Email: [email protected]