As a member of the Physical Therapy (PT) Section/Rehabilitation Service this Physical Therapist independently evaluates patients, plans, executes and, if necessary, modifies a full range of treatment procedures designed to restore optimal function to patients. The incumbent will provide physical therapy to hospitalized patients who often have multiple interacting complex acute and/or chronic medical problems in the inpatient setting.

Duties

This position may include a weekend tour of duty. On occasion the PT may be asked to provide coverage in the Community Living Center (CLC) and assist with outpatients. The Physical Therapist (PT) will perform physical therapy services primarily in the inpatient setting covering medical, post-surgical, telemetry and critical care wards in accordance with Rehabilitation Service policies and procedures, APTA, Physical Therapy Board of California guidelines and VA regulations governing the practice of physical therapy. A. Clinical 1) Demonstrates ability to make autonomous clinical decisions in a Direct Access environment with consideration for local Scope of Practice guidelines. This includes the ability to independently evaluate and treat patients who seek physical therapy services. 2) Reviews and screens patient's medical record for appropriateness of PT intervention, noting any potential risks or contraindications to treatment and to assist in guiding the evaluation process. Screens inpatients for readiness to begin PT. 3) Performs comprehensive evaluations and examinations of patients who have or may develop impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions related to conditions of the musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, pulmonary and/or integumentary systems. Evaluations are conducted independently, and results are documented according to departmental and Medical Center standards. 4) Interprets findings, selects appropriate tests and measures, and integrates findings into the PT plan of care. 5) Establishes a diagnosis within the scope of physical therapy and identifies the appropriate rehabilitation intervention, including referral to another provider for further consultation. 6) Determines PT prognosis by incorporating examination findings with patient's preference in setting clinically appropriate treatment goals, optimize outcomes and maximize functional independence. 7) Addresses rehabilitation potential, learning needs and patient response to education. Identifies barriers to learning and strategies to overcome them. 8) Performs the full range of PT treatment procedures, modifying the treatment according to the patient's response to PT intervention. 9) Attends multidisciplinary rounds of specified bed services (such as orthopedics, neurosurgery, vascular or medicine) as rehabilitation representative. May serve as liaison to that service. 10) Recognizes adverse reactions to treatment and initiates effective action immediately. Modifies treatment plan according to patient response to best meet established goals. Documents progression and/or modifications according to Departmental and Medical Center Standards. 11) Regularly discusses with physicians and other team members patient performance in PT, status, and continuing goals. Works effectively with treatment team members and other health care providers in coordinating the patient's total care. Attends case conferences as requested. 12) Ensures appropriate patient referrals and discharge planning in concert with the multidisciplinary treatment team. Makes certain that patient has been assessed for appropriate DME (durable medical equipment) and that such equipment has been ordered and issued. 13) Measures, fits and instructs patients for complex adaptive equipment and assistive devices. Provides documentation that justifies medical need for all adaptive equipment and assistive device requests. Procures DME for eligible veterans who are receiving care in the community. 14) Follows all infection control and safety guidelines. 15) Provides clinical oversight of Physical Therapist Assistants. 16) Meets departmental productivity standards as outlined in GS12 - Performance Standards. B. Educational 1) Investigates current concepts and scientific principles in Physical Therapy practice through literature reviews and study of current research. Focuses efforts on Physical Therapy in the inpatient acute care setting. Applies evidence-based treatment approaches to clinical practice. Regularly attends continuing education courses, conferences and in-services in the professional community and within the VA. 2) Orients patient, physicians, allied health professionals, students, volunteers, and community representatives to the purpose and function of Physical Therapy within the acute care setting. 3) Provides in-services and clinical training programs on topics of Physical Therapy in the hospital setting to peers and other Medical Center staff including nurses, physicians and allied health professionals. Serves as a mentor to junior therapists. 4) Provides clinical oversight of students and interns on clinical affiliations who are in Doctoral PT Programs or PTA programs. Assists Center Coordinator for with developing and upgrading student training program content. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Tuesday-Saturday 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not eligible for telework Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: 1. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 2. 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. 3. 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: 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. Foreign Graduates: Graduates of foreign physical therapy programs meet the Education and Experience requirements 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. 4. 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. Grandfathering Provision: 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: Physical Therapist, GS-11 PT's at this level are responsible for providing assessment and treatment intervention. PT's plan and modify treatment based on a patient's response to intervention and/or change in medical condition. PT's 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 PT's may provide oversight and delegate patient care responsibilities to a Physical Therapist Assistant, and/or delegate non-patient care duties to non-licensed staff. PTs that are not licensed must practice under the close supervision of a licensed PT. Grade Determinations: Physical Therapist, GS-12 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. Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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. Preferred Experience: Two years of recent (within last 10 years) general outpatient PT experience with orthopedic, neurological and post-surgical conditions. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/99, PART II, APPENDIX G12, FEBRUARY 7, 2018The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: This works involves standing and walking for about 70-80% of a normal workday. In addition, the physical therapist must be able to squat, kneel, push and pull, and lift loads from the ground and from above shoulder height. The physical demand level as defined by the Department of Labor is 'Medium' requiring the occasional lifting of 20-50 pounds, the frequent lifting of 10-25 pounds and the constant lifting of 10 pounds during the normal workday. Physical Therapy requires manual dexterity and coordination to use modalities such as ultrasound and TENS units, and to demonstrate the use of mobility equipment such as walkers and wheelchairs. In addition, physical therapists must be able to modify such equipment using tools.

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 San Francisco VA Medical Center 4150 Clement Street San Francisco, CA 94121 US
• Name: Marcus Garrison
• Phone: 559-225-6100 X6339
• Email: [email protected]