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.

Duties

Evaluates and determines extent of disability and present level of functioning. Completes assessment to evaluate and determine extent of disability or delay for their impacts on motor and or sensory function. Demonstrates proficient use of basic standardized testing equipment and tools. Performs and documents pertinent evaluation results, including client and/or family interview, observation, objective measurements, systems review and interpretation of findings, within time frames consistent with care settings or department policy. Assesses and incorporates methods to address individual's physical, cognitive, learning needs, social economic and psychosocial imitations. Assessment includes pain issues as appropriate. Chooses appropriate evaluation tools that are consistent with client diagnosis, history, and subjective complaints. Identifies patient's impairments, develops functional problem list and incorporates into functional goals related to customer goals. Discusses evaluation results with patient's and appropriate healthcare team clients and responds to questions appropriately. Progress towards all goals in consistently assessed, revised and documented per department policy. Identifies signs and symptoms that substantially impact treatments and outcomes and takes appropriate action. Refers customers appropriately if the diagnosis is outside scope of expertise. Sets measurable and realistic short and/or long-term goals based on client's medical status, anticipated therapeutic outcome(s) and customer's input. Determines appropriate interventions necessary to reach goals and outcomes. Investigates living environment, where and when appropriate, for safety hazards and necessary modifications by discussion with appropriate caregiver or client. Interprets results, documents, observations and make recommendations to families, teachers, medical staff, nursing, social work, and other professionals. Develops a written plan of care prior to therapy treatments to include physical, psychosocial, environment and educational needs as they relate to therapy. Collaborates with the multidisciplinary team as appropriate. Effectively and independently treats customer using established plan of care according to professional standards, medical center regulations which focus on client safety, function, pain tolerance/level, goals, etc. Adapts activity and/or equipment application according to customer's goals, tolerance, progress toward desired therapeutic outcome, and/or equipment function. Assesses effectiveness of current treatment program; modifies or discontinues treatment program as needed. Assures quality client care through proper utilization of staff and equipment. Periodically re-evaluates and modifies treatment plan and goals as indicated based on customer's medical status, response to treatment and anticipated therapeutic outcome(s). Communicates with customer, customer's family or legal guardian and/or other caregivers (professional and non-professional) about the risks, purpose and benefits of the treatment/intervention and anticipated therapeutic outcome(s). Involves customer/family and interdisciplinary team in treatment planning. Maintains daily Progress Notes on the customer's treatment. Completes re-certifications/assessments as per treatment plan. Completes client charges accurately and timely as per established guidelines. Follows established documentation policies and guidelines. Uses acceptable grammar, correct spelling and approved medical terminology and abbreviations according to department and policies. Identifies customers and caregiver goals and limitations, and modifies according to client and family response, as per random chart audit. Instructs caregiver, family clients and/or caregiver in therapeutic activities (e.g. age appropriate activities). Acts as a liaison with Prosthetics Department to provide supplies. Acts as a liaison with other departments within the organization, is responsive to needs, follows up when appropriate, and updates and informs Supervisor as appropriate. Assists supervisor in the development and/or revision of policies and procedures, as requested. As appropriate, effectively handles administrative/shared responsibilities. Performs other duties as required. Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday 08:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Telework: Unavailable Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: GS-11: 436B-56437-O, GS-12: 436B-56438-O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact Michael Warner, [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more 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: Citizenship. Candidates must be a citizen of the United States. After a determination is made that it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens, necessary personnel may be appointed on a temporary basis under authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 without regard to the citizenship requirements of 38 U.S.C. 7402 or any other law prohibiting the employment of or payment of compensation to a person who is not a citizen of the United States. Candidates must meet all other requirements for the grade and position concerned. 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. Foreign Graduates. Graduates of foreign physical therapy programs meet the requirements in subparagraph 3b if they have a full unrestricted and current license to practice physical therapy in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. The Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT) is a non-profit organization created to assist the United States (U.S.) Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly INS) and U.S. state licensing authorities by evaluating the credentials of Foreign Educated Physical Therapists (FEPTs) who wish to immigrate and work in the U.S. Although the licensing of physical therapists in the U.S. is a right and responsibility of each jurisdiction, foreign educated individuals must undergo an educational credentials assessment for substantial equivalency to the first professional degree in the US. The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) is committed to protect the public and to provide leadership within the field and practice of physical therapy. FSBPT's Foreign Educated Standards Committee has developed standards that represent "best practices" in evaluation services. The Credentials Evaluation Standards were developed with input from the physical therapy credentialing agencies that are licensed to use FSBPT's Coursework Tool. 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. Loss of Credential. A PT who fails to maintain the required license must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment. At the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may be reassigned to another occupation, if qualified, and if a placement opportunity exists. Physical Requirements. Pre-placement and periodic physical examinations are required for hybrid occupations to ensure workers are placed in positions where they can perform the essential functions of their job considering their physical, mental and emotional capacities, without endangering their health or the health of their co-workers. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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). Grade Determinations: GS-11: (a) Education, Experience, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. (NOTE: See exception to licensure requirement in subparagraph 3c above.) (b) Assignment. PTs at this level are responsible for providing assessment and treatment intervention. PTs plan and modify treatment based on a patient's response to intervention and/or change in medical condition. PTs at this level may be given general assignments in any physical therapy program area where advanced specialized knowledge is not required or may serve as the sole PT such as in an outpatient clinic. Licensed PTs may provide oversight and delegate patient care responsibilities to a Physical Therapist Assistant, and/or delegate non-patient care duties to non-licensed staff. PTs that are not licensed must practice under the close supervision of a licensed PT GS-12: (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: (b) 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. II-G12-5 FEBRUARY 7, 2018 VA HANDBOOK 5005/99 PART II APPENDIX G12 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: Title 38 or Hybrid Title 38 Occupation official qualification standards of the position as stated in VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G12 The full performance level of this vacancy is 12.. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 11 to 12. Physical Requirements: The incumbent must demonstrate the ability to walk, to get to other facility locations on a daily basis, standing, repeated bending, reaching overhead, and pushing Veterans and objects for up to four hours a regular shift, prolonged sitting, moderate lifting and carrying of 15-44 pounds.

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 Fort Harrison VA Medical Center 3687 Veterans Drive Fort Harrison, MT 59636 US
• Name: Berlinda White
• Phone: 872-857-2546
• Email: [email protected]