As a member of the Rehabilitation Service at the SFVAHCS (San Francisco VA Healthcare System) Complexity 1A facility, the UR Physical Therapist serves as the clinical utilization reviewer (UR) for rehabilitation services in the Office of Community Care (OCC). The incumbent functions independently in assuring that Physical Therapy (PT), Occupational Therapy (OT), Speech Therapy (ST) and Pulmonary Rehabilitation services requested are consistent with VA policies, community standards of care.
Basic Requirements: Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. 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: (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. *More educational information in Education section of this announcement*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. 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).*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. Grade Determinations: GS-11 Physical Therapist Education, Experience, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-12 Physical Therapist 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. Preferred Experience: 2-3 years Outpatient Care experience. 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: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.
The Referral Coordination Team Physical Therapist serves as the liaison between OCC, VA clinical staff and community providers of rehabilitation services. He/she will provide leadership and training to stakeholders about the clinical utilization review process to ensure appropriate benefits are requested and delivered in the most effective and efficient manner. The incumbent will devote 100% of their time to the management and coordination of Community Care rehabilitation programs. A. Practice 1. Demonstrates advanced knowledge of contemporary physical therapy across multiple areas of practice and demonstrates ability to apply knowledge in providing clinical guidance to VA medical staff and community rehabilitation providers. This includes niche practice areas such as women's health, lymphedema therapy, aquatic therapy, TMJ rehab, hand therapy and LSVT/BIG programs. 2. Serves as consultant in accessing care in the community by demonstrating solid understanding of multiple and evolving pay authorities including Non-VA Care/Community Care and Veterans' Choice/PC3 funds. 3. In conjunction with VA medical providers and community Rehabilitation Therapists develops and coordinates treatment plans for veterans receiving rehabilitation services in the community. 4. Builds consensus among multiple process stakeholders by reconciling varied objectives with an emphasis on providing patient centered and timely care. 5. Demonstrates ability to interpret provider prescription and referral. Reviews and screens patient's medical record for appropriateness of PT/OT/ST intervention, noting any potential risks or contradictions to treatment in order to obtain appropriate services. B. Educational 1. Stays current with rapid changes in Community Care directives, programming and procedures. Communicates such changes to all relevant stakeholders. 2. Investigates current concepts and scientific principles in rehabilitation practice (OT, PT, and ST) through literature reviews and study of current research. Applies knowledge of evidence-based treatment approaches to clinical review process. 3. Regularly attends continuing education courses, conferences and inservices in the professional community and within the VA. 4. Orients patients, physicians, allied health professionals, students, volunteers, and community representatives to the purpose and function of rehabilitation services within the SFVAMC. 5. Provides in-services and training programs on topics of rehabilitation to peers and other Medical Center staff including nurses, physicians, and allied health professionals. Such programs will focus on appropriate referral criteria for rehabilitation services and eligibility for community care. C. Administrative 1. Develops tracking system for Community Care rehabilitation requests and develops triaging system to ensure time sensitive requests are addressed in the required time. 2. Monitors and reports on timeliness of completion of CC consults. Continuously tracks status of CC requests and availability of community services. Evaluates effectiveness of Rehabilitation UR program based on timeliness and quality of care considerations. 3. Assists PT Chief and OCC in Rehabilitation Utilization Review program development including creating manuals, standards and decision matrices. Assists in the development of criteria for the utilization review process for rehabilitation services. 4. Develops data base of community rehabilitation service providers. 5. Records and submits in a timely manner workload information. Submits other data and reports as requested by Supervisor. VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY Work Schedule: M-F 0800-1630 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 662 05578F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized