The primary function of this position is direct patient care for complex neurological diagnosis and clinical teams at the Seattle Division. This individual is responsible for completing complex evaluations, conducting specialized interventions and treatments, and interpreting specialized procedures, theories, and outcomes in the specialty area to a vast array of functional impairments as well as provide.

Duties

Functions: Performs direct patient care within specialty area at least 25% of the time. Uses advanced skills and knowledge of physical therapy theories and techniques to examine and evaluate patients as appropriate for their age and movement system diagnosis to determine current levels of functioning (range of motion, strength, balance, coordination, sensation, mobility, endurance, posture, and other musculoskeletal and neurologic assessments). Collaborates and treats as assigned within all clinical areas of the RCS physical therapy scope - to include inpatient and outpatient services. Based on evaluation findings, completes differential diagnosis process. Based on evaluation findings, differential diagnosis, and planning with the treatment team, patient/family, and/or significant others, the physical therapist determines prognosis, and provides a customized and integrated plan of care to achieve the individual's goal-directed outcomes and eventual discharge plans. Develops and carries out physical therapy treatment to meet the individual rehabilitation goals which may include: therapeutic exercises, therapeutic procedures, therapeutic activities, gait training, balance training, neuromuscular re-education, manual therapy, electrical stimulation, modalities, traction, iontophoresis, biofeedback, strength/ endurance training, aquatic therapy techniques, functional mobility skills, wheelchair skills, equipment recommendations, self-care/home management training, and patient/ family education. Assess the need for and the patient's ability to use adaptive equipment including ambulatory assistive devices, manual wheelchairs, scooters, TENS units, etc. Continuously re-evaluates patient performance making appropriate modifications to the treatment plan as indicated. Documents in writing in the format identified by department, CARF, and JCAHO standards, the patient's evaluation, goals, patient/family education, patient's progress, equipment provided, and discharge summary. Requires an understanding of the problems of patients with multiple interacting medical and psychosocial issues allowing for thorough care. When dealing with patients who have a combination of physical and psychological problems, the physical therapist must be able to handle and de- escalate, and defuse volatile behavior which can occur. Adheres to infection control and hand hygiene policies and procedure. This work requires dealing with many decisions regarding adaption of established treatment procedures and equipment for the successful treatment of complex cases. Serves as a professional role model to other PT staff, PT/PTA students, and volunteers by providing efficient and quality patient care. Expand development of telehealth with chronic pain rehabilitation to better target and treat Veterans living remotely with improved access to Veterans and decrease travel cost to VA. Independently provides clinical training, supervision, and clinical oversight of Physical Therapy Assistants. Will develop and provide individualized clinical training experiences for Physical Therapy Assistants relative to patient care as necessary to ensure individualized treatment plan is completed appropriately. Orients patients, medical residents, allied health professionals, community organizations, students and volunteers to the purpose and function of physical therapy within any area of PT service delivery. Provides clinical training and supervision of students on clinical affiliations who are in Doctoral PT Programs or PTA Programs. Participates in PT, RCS, and interdepartmental staff development programs. Serves as primary clinical mentor and faculty member for the neurologic clinical residency program. Up to 10% administrative time will be dedicated for this responsibility. Participates in interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary teams to deliver direct patient care. Completes other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Mon - Fri 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: Available, Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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. 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: 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. Loss of Credential: A PT who fails to maintain the required license must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment. At the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may be reassigned to another occupation, if qualified, and if a placement opportunity exists. 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-13: 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: 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 Board Certification in the specialty area recognized by the ABPTS; or Completion of a fellowship program; or An additional advanced degree in a related field. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs. Advanced knowledge and expert skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in a specialized treatment area of physical therapy. 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). Ability to teach and mentor medical center staff in a specialized content area of physical therapy. Ability to guide the work of a multi-disciplinary team in a specialized content area of physical therapy. 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.). Preferred Experience: Experience and involvement in a NCS residency program, Neurologic Clinical Specialist Board Certification (NCS) and Residency program in a leadership capacity is preferred. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, (45 pounds and over), Moderate lifting (15-44 pounds), Light lifting (under 15 pounds), Heavy Carrying (45 pounds and over), Moderate carrying (15-44 pounds), Light carrying (under 15 pounds), Reaching above shoulder, Use of finger, Both hands required, Walking (1 hours), Standing (1 hours), Crawling (1 hours), Kneeling (1 hours), Repeated bending (1 hours), Both legs required, Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, Mental and emotional stability Environmental Factors: Outside and inside, Working alone

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 VA Puget Sound Health Care System 1660 South Columbian Way Seattle, WA 98108 US
• Name: Jinho Chu
• Phone: 253-582-8440 X75446
• Email: [email protected]