The PACT Physical Therapist demonstrates contemporary and evidenced based application of knowledge, skills and abilities associated with current professional physical therapy practice across the continuum of care. Incumbent is responsible for the care and treatment of patients referred to the Physical Therapy Section of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service, however, will spend the majority of their time working within primary care and Patient Align Centered Care Teams.

Duties

VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY As a PACT Physical Therapist at VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System (VAPHS), the incumbent serves as a consultant and subject matter expert in orthopedic outpatient physical therapy within the department, VA network, PT profession and the community at large. As a PACT therapist the incumbent is competent is the screening, evaluation and treatment of any veteran referred to the service. This position requires use for specialty knowledge to maintain the model for providing integrated PT service on a PACT team through direct access to PT and practicing at the top of licensure. This includes providing ongoing provider and interdisciplinary team education on PT scope of practice and training. Incumbent is board certified in Orthopedics by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. The incumbent will continue to maintain and learn advanced skills in the area of outpatient orthopedics by attending continuing education courses and training when applicable. This will maintain and advance orthopedic and manual therapy skills needed to perform and interpret specialized evaluative procedures and tests in addition to evaluating treatment outcomes in routine to complex patient presentations. Clinical Duties include but are not limited to the following: 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. Performs complex physical therapy evaluation and treatment for male and female patients aged 18-85+ years old. Stage of life is considered and used to modify evaluation and treatment based on the needs of the individual. Assessment of the patient's learning needs is performed and patient education is tailored to meet those needs involving the patient, family and significant others in the process as appropriate. Plans and implements a comprehensive treatment regimen designed to maximize functional potential of the patient, using a wide range of routine to complex and specialty interventions and treatment modalities where therapeutic objectives are routine to complex and procedures involved require the application of skills and knowledge in the area of orthopedic/general outpatient physical therapy. Treatment plans include use of specialty technologically advanced equipment when appropriate. Adapts and applies treatment procedures with critical concern for patients who are acutely ill, or who have a combination of cognitive, emotional, or physical disabilities. Treatment will primarily be provided within the outpatient VAPHS rehab department and primary care (PACT) clinic, in the Physical Therapy department when needed, and in the community as appropriate for the patient's needs. These skills and interventions will be based on current physical therapy theory, research and practice. Demonstrates independent problem-solving skills that allows for frequent modification of treatment plans in response to subtle, but significant changes in the condition of the patient. The employment of innovative treatment techniques is used to obtain the best outcome. The coordination of multiple treatment approaches simultaneously is needed to accomplish routine to complex treatment objectives. Critical assessment of treatment outcomes will be regularly performed. Assesses for and requests prosthetic/orthotic equipment, including neuro-prostheses, as needed and is able to make modifications as necessary. Makes recommendations and referral to other medical specialties/services as needs are identified during ongoing assessment of this routine to complex patient population. Assists in the scheduling of patients according to the physical therapy treatment plan while coordinating with the treatment plans of other disciplines within the team and facility. Maintains a flexibility of schedule to allow for unscheduled patients, patient/team consultation and mentoring. Participates in regular team meetings, verbal and written communication and consultation amongst team members in order to guide and evaluate the work of the multi-disciplinary PACT outpatient physical therapy program. Collaboration with the team is necessary to develop a cohesive treatment plan for the veteran. Assists in the care of patients other than those of the specialized area of outpatient geriatric as clinic need dictates. Maintains a workload consistent with the standards established by the Physical Therapy Section and the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 08:00- 16:30 Compressed/Flexible:Not Authorized Telework: Available, ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

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. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English. Basic Requirements; (1) Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist, OR (2) Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist, OR (3) Doctorate degree in physical therapy. 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: 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. Specialized Experience: Must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the journey level (GS-12) that is directly related to the position to be filled (GS-13). Examples of this experience include; Independently providing assessment and treatment interventions to inpatients and outpatients received through healthcare provider referrals and patient self-referrals, interpret findings from examination, diagnostic studies/medical tests and, during evaluation, select appropriate clinical tests and measures, and then integrate findings into the physical therapy plan of care for the full range of patient populations. Practice autonomously, making recommendations and referrals to other medical specialties/services as clinically indicated during ongoing assessment of patients under their care. GS-13 Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs (knowledge, skills, and abilities): 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. 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. 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-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: Standing, walking, squatting, bending, and sitting, and changing from one position to the other frequently throughout the day. Sitting at a desk and using upper extremities to reach, grasp and place papers, charts, computers, phones, and reference materials. Many of the patients are bariatric. Incumbent must employ safe lifting techniques including the use of mechanical devices and avoid awkward postures while working with the veterans. Reaching, lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling: 1-10 pounds constantly, 10-25 frequently, and 20-35 pounds occasionally.

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 Pittsburgh VA Medical Center 1010 Delafield Road Pittsburgh, PA 15215 US
• Name: Ashley Bethke
• Phone: 412-822-1956
• Email: ashley.bethke1@va.gov