The primary function of the Physical Therapist is to provide patient care. The Physical Therapist will independently develop and implement a Physical Therapy treatment program utilizing judgement to modify the treatment as a result of changing medical conditions or because of a variety of severe physical and mental disabilities. This position will work under Rehab Medicine Service for Neurology, specifically supporting the Parkinson's Disease Clinic.

Duties

The Physical Therapist delivers physical therapy services that reflect the philosophical base of physical therapy and are consistent with established principles and concepts of theory and practice. The Physical Therapist maintains current licensure, registration, or certification as required by laws and regulations. The Physical Therapist serves as an active member of the interdisciplinary team of this medical center servicing acute, extended care and outpatient clients. Services provided by the Physical Therapist shall include, but are not limited to, the following: CLINICAL Works effectively with treatment team members, patients, patient's family/significant others, and other health care providers in coordinating the patient's total care. Effectively communicates in the clinical medical record and other written and/or oral sources to promote positive communication, collaboration and teamwork. Uses standard and non-standard methods and techniques for evaluating and interpreting a wide variety of patient physical and psychosocial functional levels and for providing progressive treatment. Develops and initiates new treatment programs which apply current research findings. Knowledgeable about research in the practitioner's areas of practice. Documents evaluation results, treatment plans, patient response to treatment and education given in accordance with the rehabilitation work unit, Commission for the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) and Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organization (JCAHO) requirements, as well as the APTA guidelines. Develops and documents an intervention plan that is based on the results of the physical therapy evaluation and the desires and expectations of the client and appropriate others about the outcome of service. Maintains clinical cleanliness and equipment functioning, enforcing safety procedures. Has the ability to make autonomous clinical decisions in a Direct Access environment. This includes ability to independently evaluate and treat patients who seek physical therapy service; and also reflects the ability to independently review and triage Physical Therapy consults. Participates in quality-improvement programs within the department; and in multi-departmental programs per the discretion of the Rehabilitation Supervisor. Participate in the V-Gerofit program ADMINISTRATION Establish communication systems and operational practices that promote efficient and effective enterprise. Demonstrates active improvement in close coordination, collaboration and consultation with physicians, peers and other health care professionals in planning new or extended services appropriate for the medical center. Complies with medical record management policy and procedures, including documentation monitoring mechanism, qualitative and quantitative record reviews and problem identification and resolution. Operates effective section-level safety and occupational health program that meets VA and OSHA requirements, as well as CARF. Supports compliance in program responsibilities such as provision of clinical services, planning, and coordination of referrals, assessments, evaluation and treatment delivery. Assumes full administrative and technical/professional responsibility for planning and directing the Physical Therapy program. Assigns and evaluates work of subordinate staff, as well as resolving problems which may interfere with the delivery of Physical Therapy care by staff members who include PTA's, students, and volunteers. Participates as an instructor in the facility's in-service and clinical training programs. The Licensed Physical Therapist provides supervision for a Certified (and grandfathered) Physical Therapy Assistant in a collaborative manner as defined by official APTA documents and in accordance with laws or regulations Supervises and advises all volunteers assigned to the section. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; Part-time hours (20 hours weekly) Compressed/Flexible:Available Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

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: 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. 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. 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. 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. Preferred Experience: Experience caring for patients with Parkinson's Disease; Experience with LSVT BIG; Certified in LSVT BIG; experience with Deep Brain Stimulators; experience as a Team Leader; Supervisory experience; experience with acute rehabilitation and neurological patients. Grade Determinations: GS-11 Physical Therapist (Entry) Education, Experience, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. (NOTE): 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) 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 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: 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 5005/99 FEBRUARY 7, 2018 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-12. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting,45pounds and over, Heavy carrying,45 pounds and over, Pushing, Use of fingers, Walking, Standing, Kneeling, Repeated bending, Near vision correctable at 3"to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, Far vision correctable none eyeto20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, Ability to distinguish basic colors. Ability to distinguish shades of colors, Hearing (aid permitted),Emotional 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 Corporal Michael J Crescenz Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 3900 Woodland Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19104 US
• Name: Natasha Sudler
• Phone: 302-290-6874
• Email: [email protected]