This position resides in the Rehabilitation Medicine Section of the Chief Medical Officer Organizational Structure in the VA Pacific Islands Health Care System (VAPIHCS), Akaka CBOC. VAPIHCS has a main ambulatory care clinic on Oahu and 7 community-based outpatient clinics throughout the Pacific. The Physical Therapist who works at this level provides assessment and treatment interventions on an independent basis across the continuum of care.

Duties

Clinical Functions The incumbent is responsible for independently providing assessment and treatment interventions to and outpatients received through healthcare provider referrals and patient self-referrals. Guided by differential and movement diagnoses, the incumbent performs 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 personal and environmental factors. The incumbent interprets findings from examination, diagnostic studies/medical tests and, during evaluation, selects appropriate clinical tests and measures, and then integrates findings into the physical therapy plan of care for the full range of patient populations. The incumbent has the ability to make autonomous clinical decisions, including establishing a diagnosis within the scope of physical therapy, identifying the appropriate intervention(s) to treat, determining a physical therapy prognosis by incorporating examination findings with the patient's preferences for meaningful level of function in order to set clinically appropriate treatment goals and optimize outcomes, and/or referring to other medical specialties/services as clinically indicated during ongoing assessment of patients under their care. In the provision of care, the incumbent will utilize pertinent developed protocols, recognize any contraindications or precautions, and modify treatment as needed for patient's changing medical condition(s). The incumbent appropriately delegates care to physical therapy assistants and provides appropriate clinical supervision of this care, including scheduling of appointments in accordance with both patients' needs and licensing requirements. Documentation of all care will be completed in accordance with local directives, guidelines and JCAHO standards. Assists with clinical management of consults, including consideration for referral to community care for initial or ongoing care requests. Administrative Functions The incumbent is responsible for completing all encounters for workload (patient care) in accordance with national and local directives and guidelines, including correct CPT and diagnosis code usage. The incumbent ensures inventory and supplies needed for patient care are maintained and follows departmental procedures for the ordering and re-ordering of supplies. The incumbent consistently follows all department administrative processes, including but not limited to, scheduling, patient check-in, check-out, prosthetic item ordering, and maintains current knowledge of all applicable directives and SOPs. Attends Rehab Medical Section and other staff meetings, and shares ideas and concerns regarding the physical therapy department with peers and supervisor. Participates in physical therapy program development, which may include, but is not limited to, developing or refining physical therapy programs, evaluation forms, consult templates, policies, protocols, and directives, including the use of system redesign principles and methods as needed. Compiles and submits statistical reports, reviews of research, develops and supports QI indicators, and conducts QI audits related to physical therapy as requested by the Supervisor. Carries out other job-related activities and special assignments as requested by the Supervisor. Educational Functions The incumbent self-identifies their continuing educational needs, keeps abreast of advances in the field, and ensures that they provide care in accordance with current research and contemporary physical therapy practice. Maintains an active license to practice physical therapy. Offers interdepartmental and intradepartmental in-services, attends and participates in department and section in-services, medical center educational offerings, annual mandatory training, and professional conferences and workshops. Assists in the assignment, supervision, and development/refinement of training programs for pre-physical therapy students, volunteers, and/or aides. The incumbent has the ability to develop and provide individualized clinical training experiences for, and independently provide clinical oversight of, students on clinical affiliations who are in Doctoral PT Programs or PTA Programs. Interprets and explains physical therapy programs to patients, residents, medical/nursing staff, allied health professionals, students, volunteers, visiting public officials. VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 0730-1600, possible Saturday rotation Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. 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: Citizenship. Candidates must be a citizen of the United States. After a determination is made that it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens, necessary personnel may be appointed on a temporary basis under authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 without regard to the citizenship requirements of 38 U.S.C. 7402 or any other law prohibiting the employment of or payment of compensation to a person who is not a citizen of the United States.Candidates must meet all other requirements for the grade and position concerned. 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. NOTE: Prior to 1995 the terminal degree for PT's was either a bachelors or master's degree. In 1995 CAPTE accredited all baccalaureate, master's, and Doctor of Physical Therapy terminal degree programs. Effective 2002, CAPTE changed its scope of accrediting activities of PT education programs to include only those programs that culminate in post-baccalaureate degrees (eliminating the baccalaureate degree). Effective 2015, professional physical therapy education programs have only offered the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree to all new students. 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. 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. 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). Grade Determinations: 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: Ability to coordinate workflow and clinical activities as well as monitor data reports within physical therapy section to ensure optimal patient care. Ability to articulate and communicate to the clinical team the assignment, project, problem to be solved, actionable events, and objectives, as well as to advise on work methods, practices and procedures. Ability to provide new staff orientation, staff development, and training. Demonstrates advanced skill to serve as mentor and coach of the clinical team. Ability to manage staffing requirements and priorities, and coordinate work in order to complete duties in an accurate and timely manner. This includes the ability to follow-up on pending issues and demonstrating an understanding of the impact of incomplete work. Preferred Experience: 3-5 years outpatient experience. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/99 PART II APPENDIX G12The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Ability to spend approximately 75% of working day ambulating and standing. Ability to frequently lift 60 pounds of force. Ability to safely transfer patients and/or equipment using proper body mechanics (pushing, pulling, and lifting strategies). Ability to use the computer system.

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 Spark M Matsunaga Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 459 Patterson Road Honolulu, HI 96819 US
• Name: Lizbeth Torres
• Phone: (415) 221-4810 X24760
• Email: [email protected]