The Physical Therapist (PT) serves as a core member of the interdisciplinary Home Based Primary Care Program (HBPC) treatment team which is a specialized program under the administration of Geriatrics and Extended Care. This Physical Therapist position carries primary responsibility for providing in-home Rehabilitation Therapy assessments, home assessments, treatment planning and administration, and management of rehabilitation in the home for patients within the surrounding area. 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. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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: 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. 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. 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. 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. See Chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Preferred Experience: At least 2 years of Home Health experience working as a Physical Therapist. At least 2 years of experience working in an outpatient clinic as a Physical Therapist. At least 2 years working with a multidisciplinary team. At least 5 years of experience working as a Physical Therapist. Grade Determinations:GS-11 Physical Therapist (Entry) Education, Experience, and Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements. GS-12 Physical Therapist (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, hold a valid unrestricted state license and demonstrate all the KSAs below: Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities: 1. 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. 2. 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. 3. 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. 4. 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. 5. 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. 6. 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. References: Physical Therapist VA HANDBOOK 5005/99 PART II APPENDIX G12 dated February 7, 2018. The full performance level of this vacancy is 12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 to GS-12. Physical Requirements: light lifting/carrying (under 15 lbs); straight pulling (half hour); pushing (half hour); reaching above shoulders; use of fingers; walking/standing/repeated bending (up to 5 1/2 hours); ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; depth perception; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid permitted); operation of motor vehicle. ["*** This vacancy will remain open until filled. The first cut-off date is 11/23/2022. Additional applications will be referred as needed. *** Develops and carries out Physical Therapy Treatment Plan to meet individual rehabilitation objectives through interventions such as: therapeutic exercise, muscle testing and muscle re-education, ROM, cognitive therapy, neuromuscular facilitation, perceptual motor integration, fabrication and application of devices for daily living, teaching adaptive or compensatory, techniques for accomplishing tasks, providing patient/family education regarding disability. Re-evaluates patient's performance with appropriate modifications to treatment as indicated. Regularly presents patient to physician with information regarding outcomes of treatment and current status and expectations. When indicated, evaluate patient's living environment through home visits or consultations with other health care professionals, patient and significant other and assist patient in solving problems associated with that environment. Works effectively with PT staff, treatment team members and other health care providers in coordinating patient's total care. Communicates effectively both orally, in writing, adapts assessment tools and treatment to the complexity of the diagnosis or disabilities, and demonstrates the clinical reasoning necessary to identify the need for non-standard assessment, methods and techniques. The duties and responsibilities of this position are carried out within the assigned HBPC catchment area under the supervision of the HBPC Program Director and Facility Physical Therapy Supervisor. Incumbent serves as a staff Physical Therapist (PT) with responsibility for administration of treatment for outpatient populations with acute, chronic conditions with varied physical disorder caseload to include strokes, amputees, total joint replacements, neurological, respiratory care cardiac rehabilitation conditions, etc. Primary qualifications for this position include professional knowledge of the concepts, principles and practices of physical therapy to provide clinical services, supervise or train students and therapists, or perform research with people who have impaired capacities for performing activities appropriate to their age group. The work requires knowledge of the structure and function of the human body, environmental influences and human development, physical and psychosocial dysfunctions. Also, requires skill in developing treatment plans to teach new skills, restore performance, or learn compensating skills. Clinical aspects: Therapist must evaluate Veteran needs and skills and develop therapeutic treatment programs while implementing the use of Physical Therapist (PT) interventions including but not limited to: Activity of Daily Living (ADL) evaluations, modify equipment to facilitate safe ADLs, evaluate for upper extremity orthotics, evaluate for home and equipment needs, evaluate and educate on home safety, encourage participation relating to improved functional levels, functional transfer training, measure results and modify programs regularly, identify wheelchair seating needs, initiate appropriate forms for the Veteran to apply for Home Improvement and Structural Alterations (HISA) funding with written justification. Assist with coordinating VA and community resource referrals, patient and family education with treatment team members. Administrative aspects: Complete the VA clinical reminders applicable to the therapists' assessment. Complete detailed documentation of assessments, re-assessments, care plans, etc. related to the Veteran therapy. Complete Functional Independent Mobility (FIM) tests and relay that info to the Veteran, caregiver and treatment team members. Develop and coordinate educational materials for the caregiver and/or veteran as indicated by the therapists' assessment and Joint accreditation home care standards. Act as a consultant to other HBPC staff and hospital disciplines as needed. Be an active participant in Veteran treatment teams, committee's and workgroups as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm OR 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized for Highly Qualified Candidate Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.