The staff physical therapist is a registered professional therapist who is primarily responsible for evaluating, planning, and implementing the treatment program for patients with various disabilities and medical conditions. The therapist functions as an independent care provider within the health care team.
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, 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. Clearly Defined KSAs 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). 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). References: VA Directive and Handbook 5019.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 12. Physical Requirements: VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
DUTIES: Clinical: Interprets the prescriptions requesting physical therapy using specialized skills and medical knowledge in the evaluation of the patient's medical condition. Evaluates, Assesses, Differentially Diagnoses and Treats patients who utilize physical therapy as primary point of entry into medical care through direct access or self-referral. Demonstrates the knowledge and expertise to provide referral to other primary providers and specialists when examination/treatment suggest red flags (non- neuromusculoskeletal pain/impairment generators), or patient is not responding to clinical course of care. Demonstrates the ability to clinically problem solve and follow clinical prediction rules to help make referral for additional diagnostic testing. Documents care in medical record for correspondence between therapist and patient's medical team. Evaluates the patients' present functional levels and disabilities. Ages of patients served at this facility range from the young adult (ages 18-39), middle-aged patient (ages 40-64), to the elderly or geriatric patient (ages 65-80+). Establishes meaningful therapeutic goals and independently designs a treatment plan to meet the goals established in the most efficient manner. Completes appropriately timed re-evaluations for the patients and modifies the goals based on the information gained by re-evaluation. A moderately complex foundation of knowledge may be expected in neurophysiology, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, neuromusculoskeletal assessment. Expected knowledge of indications and contraindications for use of modalities. Assesses the need for home equipment and orders or devises the necessary equipment to ensure optimal functioning in the home environment. This includes conducting visits to the home to make recommendations and take measurements and work directly with the patients' and/or family members for safe use of equipment. Documentation: Documents clearly and concisely the physical findings noted during the evaluations as well as changes in medical status via progress notes. A therapist at this level will be able to document appropriately to support the level of care provided. This includes understanding and practicing documentation and coding practices to maximize reimbursement potential. Accurately maintains documentation in keeping with PM&R service-level and hospital-wide policies. Maintains a high level of professional competence through participation in continuing education such as attending workshops and conferences, and through continuous review of medical-therapeutic literature. Participates in all section-/service-level staff meetings as well as service-level educational programs. Participates in ongoing quality assurance activities as established within PM&RS and the VAMC, through various monitors and other activities relevant to continuity and quality of patient care. Contributes to the maintenance of a safe, therapeutic environment in all clinical areas assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:45am-4:30pm May have some weekend coverage Telework: Not Authorized. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact Nicholas Camilletti, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY