This position is within Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) under Medicine Service Line of the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System (VAPHS) in Pittsburgh, PA, which is a Complexity Level 1A facility as defined by the "Complexity Report 2008". The incumbent primary duty station is at H. John Heinz III Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Aspinwall PA, and functions as staff inpatient rehabilitation physical therapist for the PM&R department at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System.

Duties

Incumbent functions as a Physical Therapist for Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) in the inpatient rehabilitation setting with planned and spontaneous assignments across all rehabilitation areas within the VAPHS catchment area including: outpatient, acute care, community-based outpatient care, patient aligned care team, home based primary care/home care, telehealth, and rapid access/direct access. Clinical: Demonstrating possession of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with the scope of physical therapy practice. Reading and interpreting written consults/prescriptions. Utilizing appropriate screening and evaluation techniques required to appropriately provide direct patient care. Independently assessing and evaluating patients as clinical indicated. Devising objectives and goals to meet the individual needs of each patient while following their plan of cares. Modifying treatment based on a patient's response to intervention and/or change in medical condition Timely and accurately documenting in the patient's medical records complying with regulatory standards. Working cooperatively with other specialties to provide seamless rehabilitation treatment for patients who may require interdisciplinary and complex care. Promoting a safe, clean, and well-organized environment for patients and staff. Providing oversight and delegate patient care responsibilities to a Physical Therapist Assistant, Physical Therapy students and/or delegate non-patient care duties to non-licensed staff. Education: Participating in continuing education courses and seminars to remain current with advances in the field and to meet continuing education requirements of VA PGH Healthcare System and Physical Therapy State Licensure. Participating in PM&R in services and provides in services to PM&R and other facility staff as assigned by supervisor or the Chief of PM&R. Administrative: Scheduling patient visits to ensure quality Physical Therapy treatments are delivered most efficiently and effectively. Documenting evaluations, goals, treatment plans, and rehabilitation potential, using standard format (per APTA Guidelines) in patient's medical record as required by Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Joint Commission, and VA PGH Healthcare System standards. Ensures that subordinate Physical Therapy staff and trainees maintain appropriate documentation. Participating in Performance Improvement monitoring including the formulation of monitors, data collections, peer reviews, and preparation of reports in accordance with VA and Joint Commission guidelines. Taking responsibility for ordering supplies and submitting prosthetic orders into the computerized record system to ensure that adequate supplies are always on hand and that repairs, and maintenance activities are performed in a timely manner. Protecting printed and/or electronic files containing sensitive data as required under the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974, HIPPA, and other applicable laws, federal regulations and VHA policy including, protecting data from unauthorized release, loss, and/or alteration and following applicable regulations and instruction regarding access to computerized information, access codes, etc. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm, with weekend and holiday rotational coverage. Telework: Ad Hoc per Supervisor's approval. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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: Applicants must have obtained one (1) of the following: A Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. A Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent practice as a physical therapist. A 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: Applicants must currently hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice physical therapy in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United State, or the District of Columbia? (You must submit a copy of your license to verify your eligibility.) This announcement is only open to the full performance level and therefore all applicants must possess a license. 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: To meet the grade requirements for the GS-12 Physical Therapist, in addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level and demonstrate all of the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): 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. Preferred Experience: Physical Therapists with > 1 year experience, direct access PT license and inpatient rehabilitation experience. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/99 PART II APPENDIX G12 This position is at the full performance level of this vacancy which is a GS-12 The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Standing, walking, squatting, bending, and sitting, and changing from one position to the other as frequently as 5 hours throughout the day. Sitting at a desk and using upper extremities to reach, grasp and place papers, charts, computers, phones, and reference materials. Many of the patients are bariatric. Incumbent must employ safe lifting techniques including the use of mechanical devices and avoid awkward postures while working with the veterans. Reaching, lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling: 1 - 10 pounds constantly, 10 - 25 frequently, and 20 - 35 pounds occasionally. Specific examples include: Picking up, carrying, and placing folders, charts, books, and binders. Setting up equipment for patients such as weights or durable medical equipment. Lifting and carrying adaptive equipment ranging in weight from negligible to 35 pounds. Pushing and rolling equipment such as walkers, wheelchairs, and supply carts. Assisting patients in mobility such as ambulation and transfers, from minimal assistance to dependent transfers. Defending oneself from a confused, combative, or otherwise aggressive patient. Performing passive range of motion exercises that require the movement of patients' extremities in all planes of motion. Repositioning and transferring patients with manual and mechanical assistance. Operating all aspects of a computer & telecommunication- keyboard, mouse, control buttons, faxes, and telephones. Demonstrating the use of all aspects of adaptive equipment for patient teaching. Assembling equipment with the use of hand tools such as screwdrivers and pliers.

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 Pittsburgh VA Medical Center 1010 Delafield Road Pittsburgh, PA 15215 US
• Name: Carletta Sligh
• Phone: (412) 822-2185
• Email: [email protected]