This position is located in the Physical Therapy Department of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) at the Greater Los Angeles Health Care System in Los Angeles, CA, with support to outlying Community Based Outpatient Clinics.

Duties

Duties include but are not limited to: Physical Therapist (PTs) are responsible for independently providing assessment and treatment interventions to inpatients and outpatients received through healthcare provider referrals and patient self-referrals. Guided by the differential and movement diagnoses, PTs perform 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 personal and environmental factors. PTs interpret findings from examination, diagnostic studies/medical test, select appropriate clinical test and measures, and integrate findings into the physical therapy plan of care for the full range of patient populations. PTs establish a diagnosis within their scope of physical therapy and identify the appropriate intervention to treat and /or refer to another provider for further consultation when needed. They determine physical therapy prognosis by incorporating examination findings with patient's preferences for meaningful level of function in order to set clinically appropriate treatment goals and optimize outcomes. Physical Therapists select appropriate adaptive or supportive equipment needed to substitute for loss of function or to substitute for limited function of individuals they treat. Staff PTs at this level practice autonomously, making recommendations and referrals to other medical specialties/services as clinically indicated during ongoing assessment of patients under their care. The staff PT may also develop and provide individualized clinical training experiences for physical therapy students in facilities with established clinical experience rotations. PTs at this level may be given general assignments in any/all areas where physical therapy services are deemed necessary. Individuals may perform ancillary assignments as deemed appropriate given the needs of a facility on an occasional basis, where the amount of work is not substantial. Responsible for the examination and treatment of patients referred to and/or independently/directly accessing Physical Therapy Services. Develops and implements physical therapy patient education content, based on the most current evidenced based practice. Provides in-service and clinical training programs as assigned by the Physical Therapy Supervisor and respective chain of command. Designs, conducts, and evaluates educational experiences on physical therapy subject matter for staff members and seeks educational opportunities to enhance the Physical Therapy Department, PM&RS, and GLAVAHCS. Establishes and maintains contact with other key staff involved in patient care via written, telephone, and personal communication on a regular basis at the GLA HCS, and VISN 22. Maintains timely data input utilizing care plans, initial assessments and /or specialty protocols as part of an ongoing process in coordination with other key interdisciplinary staff to provide effective patient care. Represent the Physical Therapy Department and PM&RS at various clinical and administrative meetings/rounds at the discretion of the Physical Therapy Supervisor(s). Supports the principles of a Veteran-centered High Reliability Organization, including promoting a just and solution-focused culture Work Schedule: 8:00am-4:30pm 2 days per week, and a 8:00am-12:00pm day per week. Monday, Wednesday, Friday. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 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: 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. 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. See Chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. 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). All licensed PTs employed in VHA on the effective date February 7, 2018 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. 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 Applicant must meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below: 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. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/99 PART II APPENDIX G12 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: The incumbent must demonstrate the ability to walk distances within the facility on a daily basis, and tolerate standing, repeated bending, reaching overhead, and pushing Veterans and objects for up to four hours a regular shift, prolonged sitting, and physically assist patients with moderate lifting and carrying of up to 15-44 pounds. Safe handling and lifting techniques are to be used based on current policy of the facility in relation the Safe Patient Handling and Movement Program.

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 Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System 11301 Wilshire Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90073 US
• Name: Hugo Lopez
• Phone: (858) 552-8585 X7748
• Email: [email protected]