The Physical Therapist (PT) assigned to this position will serve as a subject matter expert for wheelchair and seating for the Atlanta VA Health Care System (HCS). The PT is assigned to the Physical Therapy Department within the Rehabilitation Service Line. The incumbent will utilize advanced knowledge of contemporary physical therapy across multiple areas of practice to provide clinical guidance about wheelchair and seating to health care practitioners (both inside and outside the VAMC).

Duties

Specific duties include, but are not limited to: Performs comprehensive patient evaluations. Schedules patients for evaluation in such a manner as to not negatively impact other clinical staff yet meet the patient's needs. Reviews to assess appropriateness of physical therapy intervention, note any potential risks or contraindications to treatment and to assist in guiding the evaluation process. Evaluates to 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. Addresses rehabilitation potential, behavior, motor skills, and psychosocial development at an age-appropriate level. Provides comprehensive physical therapy care to patients. Utilizes findings to develop and implement comprehensive treatment plans including objective, measurable goals, timelines for completion. Modifies treatment plans according to patient response to best meet established goals. Documents treatment progression and/or modifications according to Physical Therapy and Medical Center standards. Demonstrates a full professional understanding of the theories or treatment of Physical Therapy and their proper application using therapeutic physical rehabilitation and reconditioning procedures. Recognizes adverse reaction to treatment and initiates effective action immediately. Ensures appropriate patient referrals and discharge planning in concert with the Physical Therapy and Medical Center staff. Participates and contributes to the advancement of knowledge and techniques related to Physical Therapy and other related topics. Identifies, collects, and analyzes appropriate patient care information to provide a database for research activities within the VA system. Investigates current concepts and scientific principles in Physical Therapy practice through literature reviews, study of current research, clinical practice, assisting in research trials, and through attendance at continuing education courses and conferences. Maintains open communication with patients, families, Medical Center staff and others. Seeks clarification, listens, and conveys information clearly, in written and verbal forms. Investigates and responds appropriately to all complaints and takes effective corrective action when necessary. Demonstrates the ability to identify and resolve interpersonal or professional conflicts when dealing with patients and members of the organization. Will attend continuing education courses to enhance knowledge and clinical skills and to meet requirements for state licensure in Physical Therapy. Maintains current CPR certification, and attends fire & safety, and emergency preparedness courses as required. Participates in committees in Physical Therapy as well as the Medical Center Maintains patient attendance records and other required statistics or metrics required by the service or departments. Completes and submits reports as requested by the supervisor. Supports and actively participates in ongoing accreditation and performance improvement efforts (e.g., the Joint Commission). Shares responsibility for clinic environment and maintenance. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday. Various, hours to be determine by the need of the Facility Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 57162F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

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: (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. 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 agraduate 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. 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. Grade Determinations: GS-13 Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist) Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level and one of the following: 1. Evidence of a minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice directly in the specialty area. This time must be between the past two and five years; or 2. Board Certification in the specialty area recognized by the ABPTS; or 3. Completion of a fellowship program; or 4. An additional advanced degree in a related field. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the all following KSAs. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1. Advanced knowledge and expert skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in a specialized treatment area of physical therapy. 2. Ability to serve as a consultant and subject matter expert for health care providers regarding the delivery of care within a specialized content area of physical therapy (see paragraph 2i). 3. Ability to teach and mentor medical center staff in a specialized content area of physical therapy. 4. Ability to guide the work of a multi-disciplinary team in a specialized content area of physical therapy. 5. Advanced knowledge and expert skill to perform and interpret specialized procedures and tests in evaluating the treatment outcomes in the assigned specialty content area (see Definitions, paragraph 2.i.).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. References: VA Handbook 5005/99 Part II, Appendix G12 dated Feb 7, 2018. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. 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. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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 Atlanta VA Medical Center 1670 Clairmont Road Decatur, GA 30033 US
• Name: Donna Mackey-Pollard
• Phone: 334-590-9523
• Email: [email protected]