Staff PTs are responsible for providing assessment and treatment intervention. They can be assigned to all program areas (CLC, Acute Care, Home Based Care, Inpatient Rehab., etc.) which are covered by Rehabilitation Services and provide professional physical therapy in the assigned area. The Staff PT may be given general assignments in any/all areas where physical therapy services are deemed necessary, and/or may serve as the sole PT at a less complex facility.

Duties

VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY The incumbent functions as a staff member assigned to the Rehabilitation Service Line and will assume a caseload of PT staff duties as assigned by the Physical Therapy Supervisor/s. Program oversight will be provided by the Physical Therapy Supervisor; however, the incumbent must be comfortable in making independent decision in regards to patient scheduling, patient care and the interpretation of diagnostic results. Below are duties the incumbent will perform: Demonstrates a current understanding of the theories of physical therapy treatment and their proper application. Proficient in assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating treatment plans for adult patients. Evaluation and treatment are completed in a timely fashion; chart review will allow the opportunity to assess appropriateness of the referral. Consults are scheduled considering priority and frequency of care. Utilizes evaluation data to plan and implement comprehensive patient treatment, involving patient in the goals setting and treatment processes as feasible. Modifies treatment plan according to evaluative findings to meet short- and long-term goals. Responsible for the application of behavioral strategies to recognize and address fear-avoidance presentations, as well as for adapting physical therapy approaches to patients presenting with a combination of severe mental and physical disabilities. Involves the patient, family, significant others, and pertinent health care staff in the treatment process by ongoing communication, instruction, team conferences, and chart documentation as appropriate to each patient's treatment goals. Assesses patient's learning needs, and plan and implements appropriate patient education programs, involving the patient, family, and significant othes in the instructional process. Exercises independence and professional judgment in planning and carrying out treatment plans. Demonstrates originality in solving problems not covered by these guides, making innovative adaptations and modifications of treatment plans and procedures to meet the complex and highly varying needs of patients, and routinely collaborates with other health care team members. Ensures appropriate patient referrals and discharge planning is coordinated with Physical Therapy and other pertinent Medical Center staff. Identifies general contraindications to treatment and assists with establishing section policies for holding/discontinuing services when there is a change in medical status. Responds appropriately to life-threatening emergencies and/or complications of the therapeutic program. And other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: F0059 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Available 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. 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 VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a. 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 Education. 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. 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. Grade Determinations: GS-11 Grade Determinations (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 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) below: 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. Preferred Experience: References: VA Handbook 5005/99 Part II Appendix G12 dated February 7, 2018. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-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: 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. Must be able to lift, push, stoop, squat, kneel, crouch and reach.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center One Freedom Way Augusta, GA 30901 US
• Name: Leslie Hawkins
• Phone: 210-439-6422
• Email: [email protected]