The Physical Therapist (Program Coordinator) executes leadership characterized by managing a facility Safe Patient Handling and Mobility (SPHM) Program. The Program Coordinator leads the facility's SPHM Program by leveraging evidence-based practices, industry-leading research, and innovative care models. The incumbent ensures VHA employees receive ongoing education or competency/proficiency evaluation to maintain competence in their roles and responsibilities.
Basic Requirements: Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 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. Education: 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; A master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. OR; A 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. License: All applicants must be licensed to practice physical therapy in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All licensed PTs employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it additional provisions apply per the qualification standard. Grade Determination: Physical Therapist, GS-0633-13 Experience: . In addition to meeting the basic requirements, one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Ability to apply advanced knowledge of contemporary physical therapy within specialty area to provide clinical guidance, training or education for internal and external stakeholders. (b) Ability to serve as a consultant within the assigned program area for intra-agency and interagency planning and to provide service coordination to optimize program continuity, efficiency and effectiveness. (c) Knowledge of and skill in management, administration and/or education 11 methodologies. This includes the ability to monitor and track data, utilize available resources effectively, evaluate program quality, and generate reports for local, and/or VISN and/or VACO leadership. (d) Ability to establish and maintain collaborative relationships within department and with other departments or affiliated programs. (e) Ability to guide the work of a multi-disciplinary team. Preferred Experience: 2-3 years experience as a Physical Therapist in an acute care setting. Experience with safe patient handling coordinator processes and protocols for staff and patient safety. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. 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.
The duties of this position include, but are not limited to: Participates in planning, design, and construction phases of all projects so that all projects in spaces Veterans use include VA medical facility SPHM Program Coordinator input incorporating VHA Design guides. Completes, leads, and updates ergonomic assessments to implement appropriate SPHM technology to prevent hazards identified across all areas that provide patient care. In collaboration with stakeholders, report unsafe and unhealthful workplace conditions and initiate safe patient handling technology corrective action where appropriate. Performs comprehensive rounding throughout the VA medical facility using the SPHM template within the Performance Logic Application to monitor facility performance measures. Investigates employee and patient safety and health incidents related to patient handling, providing recommendations and tracking these injuries by unit, area, hospital-wide, and across the continuum, in collaboration with the worker's compensation program personnel, facility safety, OSHA record keeper, and facility patient safety manager. Ensures that patients are screened before mobilization and that methods chosen for mobility are safe, effective, and appropriate for individual needs across the continuum of care. The SPHM Bariatric Guidebook is crucial in advocating for holistic care and health equity for plus-sized patients. By implementing the principles within this guidebook across the healthcare system, we can ensure that the specific needs of plus-sized patients are met, promote a caring environment, and support ethical decision-making. Selects and coordinates the acquisition of SPHM-related equipment and supplies with appropriate stakeholders within the healthcare system across the continuum. Establishes and maintains highly effective relationships at all levels of the organization, working in collaboration with VA medical facility stakeholders on resource availability for programmatic support. This collaborative approach ensures that the SPHM Program Coordinator evaluates SPHM staffing methodology/equivalency needs by submitting annually to the National SPHM Program Office. This position may require additional duties as assigned. Preferred Experience: 5 years of experience as a Physical Therapist in Inpatient (Acute, long term care) setting. Experience with safe patient handling coordinator processes and protocols for staff and patient safety. Preferred Certification: American Physical Therapy Association Clinical Specialist certification is preferred but not required. Note: This position supports all 3 campuses and may require rotation as needed. Work Schedule: 7:30am-4:00pm, variable with WHEN hours Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PD12366F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized