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Job Description

Summary

VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System is one of 18 flagship sites for Whole Health. Physical Therapists within our system will integrate concepts of Whole Health into their plans. This includes incorporating examination findings with the patient's preferences in order to set clinically appropriate treatment goals, optimize outcomes, optimize functional independence and to actionize concepts of whole person care.

Qualifications 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
• See Chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part
• 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
• Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist
• 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
• 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
• .Grade Determinations: GS-11 (Entry Level) Education, Experience, and Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements
• 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
• 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: 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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 All qualifying experience you possess must be clearly described in your application package
• We will not make assumptions when reviewing applications
• Failure to demonstrate your experience in your resume may result in disqualification
• It is strongly recommended that you write to each KSA in your application package
• Preferred Experience In: Outpatient Ortho and Outpatient Neuro References: See VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix 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
Duties "This announcement is open continuous.
Certificates will be issued to the hiring manager on a bi-weekly basis until all positions have been filled.
Announcement will remain open until all vacancies are filled, and may close sooner than 9/30/2024.
Major duties include, but are not limited to the following: Evaluation and Treatment Receives patient's referral from appropriate physician/provider within NWIHCS.
Demonstrates the ability to make autonomous clinical decisions and adheres to the VA scheduling directive.
Independently provides assessment/treatment interventions to inpatients received through referrals.
Chart review is routinely performed to assess appropriateness of the referral and contraindications for evaluation/treatment.
Evaluation includes a medical history, results, and interpretation of the appropriate tests and measurements performed; tests are frequently complex and are adapted as needed due to multiple physical disabilities or present medical condition.
Guided by differential and movement diagnoses , the PT performs exams 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.
Evaluative data is used to implement a comprehensive patient treatment plan that is based on current research, education and outcomes data.
(Evidence based care.) A physical therapy prognosis is identified.
Establishes a diagnosis within the scope of physical therapy and identifies the appropriate rehab intervention, including referral to another provider for further consultation as clinically indicated.
Demonstrates sound knowledge of clinical signs and symptoms needed to make appropriate referrals for further medical attention/assessment.
Evaluates the patient's needs for assistive devices and procures these devices from the Prosthetic Department or works with Prosthetics to schedule the patient for the appropriate Prosthetics /Orthotics Clinic for prescription and fabrication.
Determine and provide appropriate equipment needed to substitute for loss of function or to substitute for limited function.
Treatment plans are routinely modified according to evaluative findings found during on-going assessments.
Routinely employs unusual motivational techniques to enlist patient participation and adapts equipment/procedures to carry out full range of complex treatment activities.
Education Provides and documents education appropriate to the disability being treated/goals to be achieved.
Provides in service training as requested.
Assists in the orientation of new staff members/students.
Independently provides clinical oversight of Physical Therapy Assistants as well as PTA students on clinical affiliations.
Independently provides clinical oversight to PT students who are in Doctoral PT Programs.
Discharge Planning Appropriately plans discharge and needs for continuing treatment.
Coordinates discharge with patient, significant others, and appropriate members of the health care team.
Consistently arranges patient's discharge equipment needs prior to discharge.
Home program and/or instruction is consistently completed prior to discharge.
Oral and Written Communication Routinely involves the patient, family and/or significant others and the appropriate members of the health care team in the treatment process by maintaining effective and customer sensitive communications.
Adheres to policies/procedures for handling patient records and sensitive information.
Written communication is consistently done in a timely fashion and in accordance with the guidelines/policy.
Divisions with Long Term Care will support and utilize the MOS as specified.
Consistently responds to patients, families/significant others, students, and members of the health care team in a prompt and courteous manner.
Participates in meetings, conferences, in-services, ward rounds, or other opportunities to share information with the health care team and support seamless health care provision for our veterans.
Maintain statistics/data and provide timely reports as requested.
Accurately complete/process encounter forms or paperwork required to support billing and compliance issues.
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not Eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"