Incumbent is responsible to function as a member of the Physical Therapy department in the Rehabilitation and Extended Care service line providing direct patient care to veterans throughout the Sioux Falls VA Healthcare system inclusive of the Sioux Falls VA Medical Center and community-based outpatient clinics. The physical therapist independently develops and implements a physical therapy treatment program utilizing judgment to modify the treatment as a result of changing medical conditions.

Duties

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY Major duties include, but are not limited to: Develops and promotes new and existing treatment programs incorporating clinical practice guidelines with evidence-based support. Refers veteran to appropriate resources when the needs of the veteran can best be served by the expertise of other professionals or services. Educates current and potential referral sources about the scope of physical therapy services and the process of initiating physical therapy services. Uses screening methods appropriate to the client's performance context and communicates screening results and recommendations to the appropriate personnel. Selects assessment tools to evaluate the veteran's level of function and follows standardized protocols when indicated. Documents evaluation results, treatment plans, veteran response to treatment and education given in accordance with the facility guidelines including The Joint Commission requirements and Long-Term Care Institute requirements, as well as APTA guidelines. Initial evaluations will be documented in a timely manner in accordance with facility guidance. Demonstrates the ability to provide a therapeutic, safe environment for adult and geriatric populations. Uses knowledge and understanding of the needs and the changing physical characteristics associated with these age groups in clinical practice. Ensures the intervention plan is documented within time frames, formats and standards established by facility. Included in the intervention plan are veteran-centered goals that are clear, measurable, functional, relevant and appropriate to the veteran's needs, goals and expected outcomes. Reviews the plan with the veteran and additional members of any interdisciplinary teams. Informs veterans regarding the relative benefits and risks of the intervention. Re-evaluates during the intervention process and documents progress of goals and outcomes. Modifies intervention to reflect changes in status and response to intervention. Discontinues services when the client has achieved predetermined goals, has achieved maximum benefits from physical therapy services, or does not desire to continue services, or upon failure to demonstrate continued progress toward goals. Prepares and implements a discharge plan that addresses follow-up resources and identifies outcome measures between initial evaluation and discontinuance of services. Investigates possible environmental barriers within the facility and the veterans' home/discharge environment that has the potential of hindering the veteran's independence or decreases safety. Valid drivers license as care is provided throughout the health care system catchment area. Demonstrates strong communication skills both written and verbal. Participates in the performance/quality improvement activities of the physical therapy service. Maintains clinic cleanliness and equipment functioning, enforcing safety policies and procedures. Complies with health, safety, and environmental rules and procedures and performs work in a manner that enhances the safety of the work environment. Ensures strict adherence to federal, state, and local codes concerning health, safety, and the environment as applicable within the performance of duties. Work Schedule: 08:00 to 16:30 Telework: Telework, if approved, will be on an Ad-Hoc basis only. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Recruitment/Relocation Incentive: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more 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: (a) Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) (b) 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. Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. 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. (c) Licensure: Individuals must 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. GS-11 (Entry Level) Grade Determinations: (a) Education, Experience, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-12 (Full Performance Level) Grade Determinations: (a) 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: 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, Part II, Appendix G12. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11 and GS-12. Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application.

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 Royal C Johnson Veterans Memorial Hospital 2501 West 22nd Street Sioux Falls, SD 57105 US
• Name: Jason Arcand
• Phone: 612-629-7118
• Email: [email protected]