The Physical Therapist (PT) is a member of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service staff. The incumbent is responsible for providing evaluations, as well as planning and administration/management of rehabilitation services for patients enrolled in Physical Therapy at the James H. Quillen VAMC, Mountain Home , Tennessee .

Duties

The Physical Therapist has the direct responsibility for physical therapy services in acute care, outpatient clinics, and Community Living Center (CLC) settings as assigned. In addition, the PT is also expected to provide patient care duties and develop and participate in specialized treatment programs. The PT will provide these services to patients with a wide variety of multiple, complex illnesses and/or profound disabilities. VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY The PT performs the following major duties: The PT independently completes a review/examination of patient data (including medical history) to develop a plan of care, assess patient's status, and ascertain patient's need for therapy services. Interviews patients and caregivers to gather information for ongoing patient assessment. Assesses goals, living skills, physical abilities, and related needs for each patient referred. Evaluations include medical history, examination, results and interpretation of appropriate functional tests and measurements such as: range of motion, muscle testing, sensory/perceptual deficits, coordination, functional mobility, pain scales, appropriate self-report and performance-based outcome measures, and social/contextual factors/needs. Tests are frequently complex and may need to be adapted because of multiple physical disabilities or present medical conditions. Complex evaluations are conducted without consultation with other therapists. Evaluations address rehabilitation potential, behavior, motor skills, and psychosocial development. Barriers to learning are identified and strategies to overcome them developed and implemented to ensure accurate patient evaluation. Develops a treatment plan directed toward achieving maximum level of functioning within the home or other setting, consulting with other PM&RS disciplines as indicated, and developing the plan in collaboration with the patient and caregiver. Implements the treatment plan by: solving complex problems related to physical therapy; providing direct patient care; working with Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service to provide appropriate equipment/adaptive devices; instructing and training the veteran and caregiver concerning exercises, activities of daily living, rehabilitation techniques, and equipment. The PT may also recommend community referrals. Performs ongoing assessment of patient's physical and functional status, revising treatment plan and goals as clinically indicated. Adapts and modifies treatment plans, activities, and procedures to meet the needs of patients with complex disabilities. Determines patient's ongoing need for services. Identifies when patient's maximum level of function has been attained. Determines when patients have attained established goals and uses independent judgment in termination of rehabilitation services. Evaluates the need for additional services and uses professional judgment to initiate consultation with other professionals. Performs initial and discharge FIM assessments on all acute patients with diagnosis of amputation, stroke, or TBI. Clinical practice is expected to be congruent with evidence-based practice standards, established clinical practice guidelines, as well as current concepts as outlined by the APTA. Coordinates/Interfaces with Others Coordinates intervention plans with other members of the treatment team. Serves as content expert in assessing for and recommending complex specialized medical equipment related to physical therapy. Participates in and presents patients' needs at Special Equipment Committee in accordance with VHA directives and medical center memorandum for specialty items. Participates in professional and community activities. Participates in the Performance Improvement Program, including completing assessment and documentation required by performance measures applicable to the PT's role. Participates in interdisciplinary team conferences in person, by telephone, or through electronic mail exchanges. Serves as a clinical instructor for affiliating physical therapy and physical therapy assistant students. Attends and participates in PM&RS monthly meetings and other meetings as assigned by Clinical Rehab Manager and/or Chief, PM&RS. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:45am-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: (1) Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. (2) Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. (3) 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. 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 NOTE: Prior to 1995 the terminal degree for PT's was either a bachelors or master's degree. In 1995 CAPTE accredited all baccalaureate, master's, and Doctor of Physical Therapy terminal degree programs. Effective 2002, CAPTE changed its scope of accrediting activities of PT education programs to include only those programs that culminate in post-baccalaureate degrees(eliminating the baccalaureate degree). Effective 2015, professional physical therapy education programs have only offered the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree to all new students. 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. 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:GS-12 Physical Therapist (Full Performance Level):Experience: 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 (KSA)s below: Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities: 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 Dated February 7, 2018.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Work includes regular and demanding physical exertion in standing, bending, kneeling, reaching, gripping, and walking. Moderate to heavy lifting is required to assist patients and operate equipment. Sitting is required in meetings and for conducting administrative work. Above average agility may be desirable in defending oneself (or others) against physical attack/abuse. Work requires physical health, normal use of arms and legs, and good visual and auditory acuity. Incumbent must be licensed to operate a motor vehicle.

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 James H Quillen VA Medical Center Corner of Lamont Street and Veterans Way Mountain Home, TN 37684 US
• Name: Yvonne Laguna
• Phone: 1-858-623-1873
• Email: [email protected]