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Job Description

Summary

Individual in this assignment typically works at Central Virginia VA Health Systems (CVVHS), Richmond, VA, a Complexity Level 1A (High Complexity) medical center and spends a majority of time providing independent evaluation/treatment of patients in area assigned. S/he is expected to carry out duty assignments as an autonomous provider in an outpatient setting at CVVHS.

Qualifications

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 - H 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; OR (2) Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist; OR (3) Doctorate degree in physical therapy
• Note- Prior to 1995 the terminal degree for PT's was either a bachelors or master's degree
• In 1995 CAPTE accredited all baccalaureate, master's, and Doctor of Physical Therapy terminal degree programs
• Effective 2002, CAPTE changed its scope of accrediting activities of PT education programs to include only those programs that culminate in post-baccalaureate degrees(eliminating the baccalaureate degree)
• Effective 2015, professional physical therapy education programs have only offered the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree to all new students
• 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
• Exception- 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
• Grade Determinations: GS-12 (Full Performance Level) Requirements: Education, Experience and Licensure: In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level, and 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
• Must demonstrate all the KSAs below
• Knowledge, Skills, 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
• Preferred Experience: At least 1 year experience in Outpatient Neuro program focused on treatment of patients with Parkinson's Disease and other movement disorders.; At least 1 year experience of providing care using virtual care/tele-rehabilitation
• References: VHA 5005, Appendix G12, Physical Therapist Qualification Standard, dated February 7, 2018
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12
• Physical Requirements: Physical Therapy is a vocation that requires regular and recurring physical exertion with long periods of standing, bending, walking and periods of assisting patients with transfers
• This hospital has a policy of NO PATIENT LIFT, meaning that mechanical lifts are available to assist with safe patient transfers without lifting patients directly
• Demonstration of various physical therapy procedures requires good physical conditioning
• Physical therapy also requires manual dexterity to manipulate tools and equipment with activities such as assembling equipment with the use of hand tools such as screwdriver or pliers.
Duties "VA Careers - Physical Therapy: Duties include, but are not limited to: General Skills: The PT is responsible for the examination and treatment of patients referred for services as per the clinical direction of the Supervisor, Physical Therapy Section.
May provides in-service and clinical training programs as assigned by the Section or Department Supervisors.
Takes an active role in Journal Club, where applicable.
Seeks educational opportunities to enhance the Physical Therapy Section, Department, PM&RS, Medical Center and VISN Establishes and maintains contact with other key staff involved in patient care via written, telephone, and personal communication as needed at the Medical Center and VISN level.
Develops and provides timely reports to the Section and/or Department Supervisors, when requested.
Maintains timely data input utilizing care plans, initial assessments and/or specialty protocols as part of an ongoing process in coordination with other key interdisciplinary staff to provide effective patient care.
Represents the CVVHS Physical Therapy Department and/or Section at various clinical and administrative meetings/rounds when indicated.
Clinical Skills: Evaluates a wide variety of patients in-clinic or via Tele-rehabilitation (TH), interpreting consults from primary care physicians and evaluating patient's level of function, e.g.
balance, muscle strength, range of motion, etc.
using complex evaluation procedures via in-clinic or virtual care (tele-rehabilitation).
Diagnoses include but not limited to the following: Neurologic conditions, including other movement disorders Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: male & female clients Geriatric Rehabilitation Musculoskeletal Disorders Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Stroke and Head Injury Arthritis Spinal Cord Injury Chronic Pain Amputation Vestibular Rehabilitation Post-Surgical/Joint Replacement Assistive Technology Health Promotion Utilizes evaluation data to implement a treatment plan in collaboration with the patient which includes both short and long terms goals with timeframes of achievement.
Continuous re-evaluation of patient's status with appropriate client-centered /client preferences in order to modify treatment plan to better meet short and long-term goals, optimizing outcomes and functional independence.
Evaluates patient's need for assistive devices and trains patients in their use; evaluates device and makes recommendations for adjustment.
Documents in patient's medical record the results of the initial evaluation, the treatment plans, and changes in patient's status within department guidelines.
Discharge summary includes a summary of progress, functional status at discharge, outcomes and recommendations.
Plans and implements appropriate patient education program involving patient and family when feasible; documents education in chart.
Attends interdisciplinary team meetings, advising team members of the patient's potential in relation to his functional ability.
If indicated, evaluates patient's living environment through home visits, or consults with patient, patient's family and other health care professionals to assist patient with re-entry into the community.
Screens new referrals and identifies patients who may benefit from physical therapy.
Keep abreast of changes and new technologies in the field of rehabilitation and in the practice of Physical Therapy.
Maintain an effective quality assurance and utilization review effort.
Facilitate a cooperative working relationship between Physical Therapy, other PM&R departments and other services at the Medical Center.
Displays knowledge of changes associated with aging and principles of growth and development relevant to the adult and geriatric groups; displays the ability to assess and interpret data about the patient's status; displays an ability to identify age-specific, developmental and cultural needs and provides the appropriate care and direction based upon these factors.
Incumbent may schedule outpatient clinic appointments using Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VistA) scheduling options.
Uses established business rules to schedule appointments for veterans.
This includes clinic visits, consultations and entries into the Electronic Wait List (EWL).
Incumbent complies with the mandatory training requirements for the outpatient scheduling process.
Others duties as required.
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 8-4:30 PM 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 PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"