The VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System is committed to Diversity and Inclusion. Together, we strive to create and maintain a working and learning environment that promotes professional growth and teamwork. We offer an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment where we celebrate our individual differences and unite as a team toward a common goal of providing outstanding service to our Nation's Veterans.

Duties

The staff physical therapist is a licensed professional therapist who is primarily responsible for evaluating, planning, and implementing the treatment program for patients with various disabilities and medical conditions. The therapist functions as an independent care provider within the health care team. Major duties include but are not limited to: Recognition of age, development and cultural needs of patients Interprets the prescriptions requesting PT using specialized skills and medical knowledge in the evaluation of patients' medical condition Evaluates the patients' present functional levels and disabilities Establishes meaningful therapeutic goals and independently designs a treatment plan to meet the goals established in the most efficient manner Make changes to the treatment intervention based on patient response to treatment Foundation of knowledge is expected in neurophysiology, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, neuro-musculoskeletal assessment, and interpretations Independently conduct treatment of patients with a variety of diagnoses Coordinate the scheduling of patient treatment with other PM&RS therapists as well as with nursing staff Assess the need for home equipment Conducts education for patients and family members in home exercise programs, transfer techniques and in efficient care for the patient in a way that is clear and understandable by those involved Document clearly and concisely the physical findings noted during the evaluations as well as changes in medical status via progress notes Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 0800-1630 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. 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. Education and/or Experience: You must meet at least one of the following requirements below: (1) Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist 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). (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. *TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE PROVIDED* Grade Determination: GS-12 Physical Therapist (Full Performance Level): (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. 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 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS 11 to GS12. Physical Requirements: The employee is required to meet the following physical requirements: heavy lifting (45 pounds and over), moderate lifting (15-45 pounds), light lifting (under 15 pounds), reaching above the shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking (up to 8 hrs), repeated bending (2 hours), ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, hearing (aid permitted), and emotional/mental stability.

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 VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System 2200 SW Gage Blvd Topeka, KS 66622 US
• Name: Christye Greene
• Phone: 813-966-4360
• Email: [email protected]