The Physical Therapist will be assigned to the VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System, Physical Medicine, and Rehabilitation Service (PMRS). The incumbent will function as a highly independent practitioner of Physical Therapy in the Rehabilitation Therapies Department. Provides administrative and/or clinical guidance to physical therapist assistants. Provides patient care that is appropriate to the cognitive, emotional, and chronological maturation needs of the adult and/or geriatric patient.

Duties

Major duties include, but are not limited to the following: Independent develops and administers physical therapy to inpatients and/or outpatients with acute and chronic physical and musculoskeletal disabilities that include but are not limited to fractures, amputations, hemiplegia, peripheral nerve injuries, spinal, extremity, or central nervous system disorders. Evaluate for, issues, and instructs patients and/or caregivers on use of adaptive and durable medical equipment. Evaluate patients, prepares treatment plans, routinely assesses results of treatment, and provides timely, clinically accurate and appropriate documentation of care provided. Serve as a consultant to other clinical and non-clinical staff within department, within the community, and to other medical center staff regarding the scope and skills of physical therapy. Active participates in patient care planning and discharge rounds as necessary for their area of assignment and works effectively with interdisciplinary team members and other allied health care staff for coordination of the patient's care and needs. Provide administrative and/or clinical guidance to physical therapist assistants. Provide patient care that is appropriate to the cognitive, emotional, and chronological maturation needs of the adult and/or geriatric patient. Effective communicates with and utilizes other disciplines (e.g., nursing, medicine, other allied health professions) to facilitate treatment planning and implementation. Collaborate with divergent multidisciplinary team members in a manner that enhances coordination of comprehensive patient care, and participates effectively in team meetings, treatment planning discussions and conferences. Effective communicates with and utilizes community agencies to facilitate treatment, discharge planning, and continuity of care. Protect printed and electronic files containing sensitive data in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, Federal regulations, VA statuses and policy, and VHA policy. Protect the data from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion. Use word processing software to execute several office automations functions such as storing and retrieving electronic documents and files, activating printers; inserting and deleting text, formatting letters, reports, and memoranda; and transmitting and receiving e-mail. Use the Veterans Health Information and Technology Architecture (VISTA) to access information in the Medical Center Computer System. Work Schedule: Variable to include nights weekends and holidays. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Physical Therapist GS-0633-11/12 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. 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. OR Master's degree in physical therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. OR Doctorate degree in physical therapy. 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). Employees grandfathered into the GS-0633 occupational series as PTs may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation. PTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of this qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of this standard. PTs initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration, meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard and must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. If PTs who are grandfathered under this provision leave the occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for appointment in paragraph 2, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates. GS-11 (Entry Level) Education, Experience, and Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements. 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. GS-12 (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: 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 All qualifying experience you possess must be clearly described in your application package. We will not make assumptions when reviewing applications. Failure to demonstrate your experience in your resume may result in disqualification. It is strongly recommended that you write to each KSA in your application package. Preferred Experience: At least one (1) year experience in Neurologic Rehab (Polytrauma - TBI, stroke) & skills in orthopedic PT. References: VA Handbook 5005/99 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 in the range of GS 11 to GS 12. Physical Requirements: Must be able to lift 30 pounds.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System 975 Kirman Avenue Reno, NV 89502 US
• Name: Curtis Jackson
• Email: [email protected]