The Physical Therapist (Lead) serves as a subject matter expert in content specialty area of Inpatient Physical Therapy and is an independent health care professional who is responsible for independently providing assessment and treatment interventions to inpatients and outpatients received through healthcare provider referrals and patient self-referrals. Incumbent demonstrates the ability to make autonomous clinical decisions in a Direct Access environment.

Duties

The Physical Therapist (Lead) provides professional oversight and consultation for the staff therapists and will act as a liaison between the staff therapists and supervisor. The incumbent coordinates workflow and clinical activities as well as monitors data reports within the physical therapy section to ensure optimal patient care. He/she is responsible to the triaging of physical therapy consults to ensure consults are handled in the most expeditious manner based on acuity of need. Physical Therapist (Lead) also assists in the growth and development of the department and the profession through participation in educational activities. The Lead Inpatient Physical Therapist position will be located at the Lebanon VAMC but may have the possibility of various locations for work assignments in the Lebanon VAMC system, including VA Community Clinics. Work assignments also include weekend and holiday coverage, on a rotational basis, per PM&RS policy. Preferred Experience: : Must be a licensed physical therapist three years of progressively complex VA experience, and employed by the Lebanon VAMC system. Major duties include, but may not be limited to: Patients are scheduled for evaluation in such a manner as to not negatively impact other clinical staff yet meet the patient's needs. Patient medical records are reviewed to assess appropriateness of physical therapy intervention, note any potential risks or contraindications to treatment and to assist in guiding the evaluation process. Evaluations include medical history, results and interpretation of appropriate functional tests and measurements such as: range of motion, muscle strength, sensory/perceptual deficits, coordination, functional mobility, pain scales, and social needs. Tests are frequently complex and may need to be adapted because of multiple physical disabilities or present medical conditions. Consultation with more experienced therapists on very complex patients is expected and appropriate. Evaluations address rehabilitation potential, behavior, motor skills, and psychosocial development at an age appropriate level. Barriers to learning are identified and strategies to overcome them developed and implemented to ensure accurate patient evaluation. Evaluation findings are used to develop and implement comprehensive patient treatment plans including objective, measurable goals, timelines for completion. These goals are developed in collaboration with the patient, family and/or other stake holder input and may include consultation with more experienced therapists. Modifies treatment plan according to patient response to best meet established goals. Documents treatment progression and/or modifications according to departmental and Medical Center standards. Demonstrates a full professional understanding of the theories or treatment of physical therapy and their proper application through the use of therapeutic physical rehabilitation and reconditioning procedures. Provides orientation/training to medical staff to the physical therapy program. Assists in the training of physical therapy students, providing feedback about student's progress and performance. Keeps current of principles and techniques of physical therapy assessment and interventions through professional literature, in-service programs and continuing education. Performs other duties as required. Work Schedule: Selectee may keep their current tour of duty. 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

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. Foreign Graduates: 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. The Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT) is a non-profit organization created to assist the United States (U.S.) Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly INS) and U.S. state licensing authorities by evaluating the credentials of Foreign Educated Physical Therapists (FEPTs) who wish to immigrate and work in the U.S. Although the licensing of physical therapists in the U.S. is a right and responsibility of each jurisdiction, foreign educated individuals must undergo an educational credentials assessment for substantial equivalency to the first professional degree in the US. The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) is committed to protect the public and to provide leadership within the field and practice of physical therapy. FSBPT's Foreign Educated Standards Committee has developed standards that represent "best practices" in evaluation services. The Credentials Evaluation Standards were developed with input from the physical therapy credentialing agencies that are licensed to use FSBPT's Coursework Tool. 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. 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 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). Grandfathering Provision. All licensed PTs employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (1) 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. (2) 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.(3) 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. (4) 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 re-entry to the occupation. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-12 (Above 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, experience includes but not limited to the following: 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. Candidates must also hold a valid unrestricted state license and demonstrate all the KSAs below. KSA's: (Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities) In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSA and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): * 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. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005, PART II, APPENDIX G12 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Standing, walking, squatting, bending and sitting and changing from one position to another frequently throughout the day. Reaching, lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling: 1-10 pounds constantly, 10-25 pounds frequently, and 20-50 pounds occasionally. 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.

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 Lebanon VA Medical Center 1700 South Lincoln Avenue Lebanon, PA 17042 US
• Name: Tamara Sneed
• Phone: 404-626-7179
• Email: [email protected]