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

At the full performance level, PTs are responsible for providing assessment and treatment intervention. They are assigned to all program areas which are directed by Pain Service and provide professional, independent physical therapy services in the assigned area. Physical Therapists at this level may be given general assignments in any physical therapy program area and must be able to function as the sole physical therapist providing the care requested by specialty/primary care providers and giving expert advice where desired. Individuals may perform ancillary assignments, including program management duties on an occasional basis. Clinical Assigns, manages and evaluates work of subordinate staff such as physical therapy teen/assistant and volunteers. Evaluates patients in complex cases to determine functional status, identifies problems and needs for individualized therapy treatment. Independently plans and develops comprehensive programs to meet patients' needs in the specialty program. Reviews physical therapy documentation of initial findings, treatment goals estimated, length of treatment, equipment recommendations, interim progress and discharge summary in patients' medical records. Communicates effectively with physical therapy and medical center staff. Works effectively with health care providers in coordinating the patients' total care. Participates in conferences and assigned medical meetings. Understands rational for all clinic procedures and has good operating knowledge of all equipment in the Physical Therapy Clinic. Administration Assigns and evaluates work of subordinate staff. Maintains attendance records and submits monthly reports and statistics. Maintains procedures consistent with VATVCBHCS policies. Assists in the development of standards of care to ensure compliance with professional accrediting organizations. Maintains all data for quality assurance monitoring and evaluates data at specific intervals. Maintains adequate level of supplies. Maintains equipment in safe and operable condition through inspection and submission of work orders, as necessary. Other duties as assigned. Education Supervises and trains physical therapy students and volunteers. If assigned, acts as clinical education coordinator for the Physical Therapy section. Provides in-services training for physical therapy staff and other professionals, as necessary. Orients visitors and volunteers to the role of physical therapy. Maintains professional state license and competency through continuing education with completion in each biennium of 3.0 Continuing Education Units (CEU's). Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Physical Therapist Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. [email protected] 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. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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). Preferred Experience: 5+ years of experience as a PT in an outpatient setting preferred Doctor's degree from accredited university in a PT education program. May also consider a Bachelors or Masters degree Experience in working independently in a general outpatient clinic treating geriatric/adult orthopedic, neurological, debility PT clients etc The ability to work, within the scope of a PT, with a high degree of Autonomy and effective time management Experienced in communicating with key staff and family in caring for patients. Grade Determinations: GS-11 Physical Therapist (Entry) Education, Experience, and Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements. GS-12 Physical Therapist (Full Performance Level)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: 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: Physical Therapist VA HANDBOOK 5005/99 PART II APPENDIX G12 dated February 7, 2018.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 GS-11 to GS-12. Physical Requirements: The Physical Therapist position will require light lifting (under 15 lbs); light carrying (under 15 lbs); straight pulling (half hour); pushing (half hour); reaching above shoulders; walking/standing (5 hours); repeated bending (5 hours); ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable at 13"to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; depth perception; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid permitted).

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Failure to provide transcript may result in non-referral of your application if your education cannot be verified.

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.

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.

Note: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in 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 VA TX Valley Coastal Bend HCS 2601 Veterans Drive Harlingen, TX 78550 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]