Physical Therapists uses evidenced based practices standards in diagnosis, examination, management, intervention, treatment and outcome measurement. Ensure that services are coordinated, including ordering studies of value and being consumer centered by referring, co-managing, engaging consultants, and independently supervising care. Interprets a wide variety of patient functional levels and provides individualized progressive treatment for patients with complex disabilities.

Duties

Develops, implements, and evaluates therapeutic and palliative rehabilitative programs to include restorative care, massage therapy and holistic modalities. Evaluates patients of HBPC regarding Physical Therapy needs, and implements appropriate treatment regimens within the framework of HBPC Uses standard and nonstandard methods for identifying potential problems and a baseline level of function. Develops patient safety and level of independence. Develops interdisciplinary plan of care directed toward achieving maximum level of functioning and palliation, consulting with other disciplines as indicated, and developing the care plan in collaboration with the treatment team, patient, and caregiver. Initiates the treatment plan by providing direct patient therapy care as ordered by a physician and procuring necessary equipment/adaptive devices; instructing and training the patient and caregiver concerning exercises, activities of daily living, rehabilitation techniques, and equipment/adaptive devices; and recommending community referrals. Performs a full range of PT treatment modalities such as but not limited to therapeutic exercise, ambulation, ROM exercises, holistic modalities, neuromuscular facilitation, perceptual motor integration and providing patient/family education regarding disability, adaptations, and exercises. Reassesses and independently solves problems relating to rehabilitation therapy, adapting, and modifying treatment plans according to the patient's response to PT intervention and pre-existing medical conditions. Monitors patient's tolerance for therapeutic procedures, including tolerance for prescribed adaptive equipment.' Recognizes unanticipated rates of progress, significantly altered physical/mental status of patient or undesirable secondary effects of treatment. Electronically documents veterans' goals, progress, discharge plans, interdisciplinary communications, and any other pertinent information necessary for successful treatment of the veteran. Participates in interdisciplinary team conferences and regularly presents patients to physicians and other team members with information regarding performance, current status, and continuing goals. Works effectively with treatment team members and other health care providers in coordinating the patient's total care Assesses need for and measures, fits and instructs patients/caregiver in the safe use of any issued adaptive equipment or assistive devices, including but not limited to walkers, canes, crutches and therapy supplies such as therapy bands, hand weights, pedalers. Recommends basic orthotic devices that are not commercially available. Modifications that must be developed or modified to meet veterans' individual needs will be referred to the Prosthetic Department at NMVAHCS on an outpatient basis Justifies special equipment requests. Evaluates for need or further assessment of orthotics/prosthetics and requests appropriate referrals to the Prosthetics Department, Acts as a resource for other members of the team on matters specific to physical therapy. Adheres to medical center infection control policies and procedures Serve as content expert in ordering complex and specialized medical equipment. Work effectively with other healthcare providers, community resources, and veterans support systems. Communicates effectively both orally and in writing. Provides education to clients and families. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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: (a) Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. (b) Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. (c) Doctorate degree in physical therapy. 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. 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. 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. 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: In addition to the basic requirements, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates. GS-12 (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 References: VA Handbook, Part II, Appendix 12 Physical Therapist, Qualification Standard, GS-0633, Veterans Health Administration, dated February 7, 2018. The full performance level of this vacancy is 12. Physical Requirements: Regular and recurring physical exertion in standing, walking, bending, reaching, and sitting should be anticipated routinely. Light to heavy lifting may be required at times. Work discharge may require physical health, unhindered use of arms and legs, and good visual and auditory acuity.

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 Raymond G Murphy Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 1501 San Pedro Drive, Southeast Albuquerque, NM 87108 US
• Name: Evelyn Gaynor
• Email: [email protected]