The Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center is seeking a highly qualified candidate to fill a Physical Therapist to fill an intermittent position.
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: 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. Experience and Education: 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. A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Licensure. Individuals must 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. Note: 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: GS-11 None beyond the basic requirements. GS-12 In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level and demonstrate all the KSAs below: 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 7 well as students on clinical affiliations who are in Doctoral PT Programs or PTA Programs. 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 in the range of GS-11 to GS-12. Physical Requirements: Physical Therapy is considered a vocation that requires "medium" strength according to the Department of Labor. Medium Work entails: exerting 20 - 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Light Work. (i.e.: more than exerting of to 20 points of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.) Examples of the medium strength required by physical therapists are as follows: a. Standing, walking, squatting, bending, and sitting, and changing from one position to the other frequently throughout the day. b. Sitting at a desk and using upper extremities to reach, grasp and place papers, charts, and binders. c. Reaching, lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling: 1 - 10 pounds constantly, 10 - 25 frequently, and 20 - 50 pounds occasionally. Specific examples include: i. Picking up, carrying, and placing folders, charts, books and binders. ii. Setting up equipment for patients such as weights or durable medical equipment. iii. Lifting and carrying adaptive equipment ranging in weight from negligible to 50 pounds. iv. Pushing and rolling equipment such as walkers, wheelchairs and supply carts. v. Assisting patients in mobility such as ambulation and transfers, from minimal assistance to dependent transfers, which may be up to 50 pounds. vi. Performing passive range of motion exercises that require the movement of patients' extremities in all planes of motions. 2. Physical Therapy requires good manual dexterity to manipulate tools and equipment with examples as follows: a. Operating all aspects of a computer - keyboarding, mouse, and control buttons. b. Demonstrating the use of all aspects of adaptive equipment for patient teaching. c. Assembling equipment with the use of hand tools such as screwdrivers and pliers. d. Fabricating splints or adaptive equipment requiring the use of exacto knife, scissors, and ability to mold plastic, foam or plaster.
VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY Major duties include but are not limited to: Evaluates patients as assigned to address the needs of those who have, or are at risk of developing, a disease or disorder, activity limitation, or participation restriction that interferes with the patient's ability to function independently in their life roles Completes an examination by taking a patient history, conducting a systems review, and identifying/performing appropriate physical therapy assessment and evaluation tools to address physical, cognitive, and psychological functioning deficits. Adapts the assessment tools as necessary to meet the complexity of the diagnosis and/or presence of co-morbidities. Interprets the results of this examination and determines whether the problem(s) identified are within the scope of physical therapist practice Works effectively with treatment team and other health care providers in coordinating the patient's total care. Serves as full team member on assigned wards. Appropriately identifies clinical signs and symptoms indicative of the need for referral for further medical attention/assessment. Routinely consults with staff and resident physicians from all specialties. Works with high degree of independence and professional judgment in planning and carrying out treatment program. Documents evaluation, goals, patient/family education, progress, discharge plan, and change in treatment or patient condition in medical records accurately. Compiles daily, weekly, or monthly statistics for ongoing reporting. Effectively communicates orally to other staff members when immediate information is necessary. Work Schedule: Intermittent, your schedule will be determined between you and the supervisor however there will be no set or guaranteed hours. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized