The Physical Therapist is assigned to Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Raymond G. Murphy VA Medical Center. The Physical Therapist (Outpatient) is a direct access independent practice professional who is responsible for evaluating patients and establishing and executing interventional treatment plans that include a full range of treatment procedures and modalities.
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. 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. 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. 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. 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). 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 Education, Experience, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. Assignment. PTs at this level are responsible for providing assessment and treatment intervention. PTs plan and modify treatment based on a patient's response to intervention and/or change in medical condition. PTs 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 PTs may provide oversight and delegate patient care responsibilities to a Physical Therapist Assistant, and/or delegate nonpatient care duties to non-licensed staff. PTs that are not licensed must practice under the close supervision of a licensed PT Grade Determinations GS 12 (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. Assignment At the full performance level, PTs are responsible for independently providing assessment and treatment interventions to inpatients and outpatients received through healthcare provider referrals and patient self-referrals. Guided by differential and movement diagnoses, PTs perform 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 personal and environmental factors. PTs 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. PTs establish a diagnosis within the scope of physical therapy and identify the appropriate intervention to treat and/or refer to another provider for further consultation when needed. They determine physical therapy prognosis by incorporating examination findings with the patient's preferences for meaningful level of function in order to set clinically appropriate treatment goals and optimize outcomes. Physical therapists select appropriate equipment needed to substitute for loss of function or to substitute for limited function of individuals they treat. Staff PTs at this level practice autonomously, making recommendations and referrals to other medical specialties/services as clinically indicated during ongoing assessment of patients under their care. The staff PT may also develop and provide individualized clinical training experiences for physical therapy students in facilities with established clinical experience rotations. PTs at this level may be given general assignments in any/all areas where physical therapy services are deemed necessary, and/or may serve as the sole PT at a less complex facility. Individuals may perform ancillary assignments as deemed appropriate given the needs of a facility on an occasional basis, where the amount of work is not substantial (less than 25% of the duty time). 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: This works involves standing and walking for about 70-80% of a normal workday. Must be able to squat, kneel, push, and pull, and lift loads from the ground and from above shoulder height. PT 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.
VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY Duties may include but are not limited to: Provides individualized progressive treatment for patients with complex disabilities. Uses standard and non-standard methods for evaluating complex cases to identify problems and baseline levels of function. Utilize appropriate screening and evaluation techniques required to appropriately provide direct patient care. Make appropriate referrals for further medical attention/assessment as indicated. Interpret clinician prescriptions and referrals. Develops appropriate treatment plans and goals. Performs complex treatment. Modify treatment according to the patient's changing medical condition. Measures, fits and instructs patients for the use of complex adaptive equipment and assistive devices. Communicates both orally and in writing, with patients, families, caregivers, and other health care professions to facilitate the multidisciplinary treatment process. Communicates appropriate to the age of patients served in the work area. Communicates appropriately to aging patients (potential for diminished hearing, vision, and mental acuity) and is able to compensate for these changes when appropriate to insure that effective communication has occurred. Provide physical assistance to aging patients, considering potential difficulties with balance and ambulation and the increased possibility of damage or injury to skin and bones. Communicates readily with multidisciplinary treatment team advising the team of patient's needs and progress, exchanging discharge planning information with them. Responsible for the care, upkeep and sanitation of equipment used. Perform physical examination and formulate a treatment plan to improve a patient's function. Performs other tasks as assigned by the Section Chief or Section Chief designee, for CARA Pain Team, that are consistent with the mission of ACS and the Medical Center. Attends seminars, workshops, lectures, and In-service meetings, especially in the specialty field. Maintains continuing education credits as necessary to maintain licensure/certification. Conducts in-service programs for the CARA Pain Section and other disciplines and shares knowledge of new or improved techniques with staff. Acts as a clinical supervisor and preceptor for physical therapy and physical therapy assistant students to fulfill their educational and professional requirements. Ensures proper supply levels are maintained for patient treatment. Maintains and submits in a timely manner statistics and other required reports. Understands and adheres to policies and procedures in the section manual. Works independently, and is responsible for the physical therapy program and clinics to which he/she is assigned and confers with the Therapy Supervisor at periodic intervals for the purpose of keeping him/her informed of problem cases, workload, and progress reports, Completes notes within required time frames per service-specific policies. Preferred Experience: 1 year Outpatient Adult experience, Ideal candidates should demonstrate proficiency in diagnosing movement dysfunctions, developing treatment plans, implementing therapeutic exercises and interventions, and utilizing various modalities to improve patient mobility and function. 1 year experience in any outpatient rehabilitative setting. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm or 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized