Summary

The GS-13 Physical Therapist is assigned to provide professional Physical Therapy services to any/all program areas that are covered by the Rehabilitation Services - including acute care - rehabilitation - long term care - home care - inpatient and outpatient settings.

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
• Degree
• Graduate from a degree program in physical therapy from an approved college or university approved by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
• 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) Web site - or at their office address: American Physical Therapy Association - 1111 North Fairfax Street - Alexandria - VA 22314-1488 -703-68 4-2782 - or 800-999-2782
• (NOTE: Effective - January 1 - 2002 - CAPTE changed its scope of accrediting activities of PT education programs to include only those programs that culminate in post-baccalaureate degrees)
• Foreign Graduates
• Graduates of foreign physical therapy programs meet the requirements in subparagraph 2b if they have a full unrestricted and current license to practice physical therapy in a State - Territory or Commonwealth (i.e. - Puerto Rico) of the United States - or in the District of Columbia
• Any PT who has - or has ever had - any license(s) revoked - suspended - denied - restricted - limited - or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with regulations issued by the Under Secretary for Health or designee
• 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
• Licensure: Current - full - active - and unrestricted license to practice physical therapy in a State - Territory or Commonwealth (i.e. - Puerto Rico) 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 not-to-exceed two years under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405(c)(2)
• Non-licensed individuals appointed as a temporary graduate PT may not be appointed as a PT without being fully licensed
• Note: A PT who fails to maintain the required licensure must be removed from the occupation - which may also result in termination of employment
• At the discretion of the appointing official - an employee may be reassigned to another occupation for which he/she qualifies if a placement opportunity exists
• A PT who has - or has ever had - his/her PT license revoked - suspended - denied - restricted - limited - or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in Chapter 3 - section B - paragraph 16 of this part
• 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: In addition to meeting the basic requirements - the candidate must have one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level and one of the following to qualify for GS- 13 Physical Therapist.· Evidence of a minimum of 2 -000 hours of clinical practice directly in the specialty area
• This time must be between the past two and five years
• or Board Certification in the specialty area recognized by the ABPTS
• or Completion of a fellowship/residency program
• or An additional advanced degree/certification in a related field
• Important Note: In addition to the experience above - the candidate RESUME must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs) or attach completed KSAs as separate Document to your resume: Advanced knowledge and expert skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in a specialized treatment area of physical therapy
• Ability to serve as a consultant and subject matter expert for health care providers regarding the delivery of care within a specialized content area of physical therapy (see paragraph 2i)
• ·Ability to teach and mentor medical center staff in a specialized content area of physical therapy
• ·Ability to guide the work of a multi-disciplinary team in a specialized content area of physical therapy
• ·Advanced knowledge and expert skill to perform and interpret specialized procedures and tests in evaluating the treatment outcomes in the assigned specialty content area (see Definitions - paragraph 2
• i.)
• Preferred Experience: Board certified clinical specialist or physical therapist with additional certifications related to pain education - or pain management or physical therapist with 5 years experience in direct pain management care
• Preferred experience with pain modalities
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Pre-placement and periodic physical examinations are required for hybrids occupations to ensure workers are placed in positions where they can perform the essential functions of their job considering their health or the health of their co-workers
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Duties

• Major duties include but are not limited to: Serves as a consultant for all health care providers regarding Pain Physical Therapy and rehabilitation
• Educates/orients students - nurses - and other clinical staff regarding PT in general and specifically - as it relates to Pain mgmt
• Mentors therapy staff
• Reviews and updates Pain protocols - policy - and program at the VASTLHCS
• Participates in communication with community care providers to optimize the care of veterans
• Serves as subject matter expert (SME) for Pain Management modalities and equipment - as it relates to Pain mgmt
• Collaborates with local - and regional universities - in the area of Pain PT rehabilitation
• Incumbent demonstrates a high degree of independence and professional judgment in planning and executing treatment programs to meet complex treatment objectives for veteran and active-duty population with Pain and general Physical therapy issues
• Exercises originality in solving problems not covered by this guide - makes innovative adaptations of the clinical procedures herein to meet the complex and highly varying needs of the individuals in need of mobility needs and advises all other health care team members and students in this regard
• Performs complex Physical therapy evaluation and treatment for male and female patients aged 20-85+ years old
• Stage of life is considered and used to modify evaluation and treatment based on the needs of the individual
• Assessment of the patient's learning needs is performed - and patient education is tailored to meet those needs involving the patient - family - and significant others in the process as appropriate
• Utilizes standardized - and non-standardized assessments - and compiles overall Occupational Health Information - concerning patient's social - physical - psychological and vocation status to determine a patient-centric treatment plan - based on current PT theory - research and practice
• Involves the patient - family/significant other and medical team in treatment planning and goal setting through ongoing communication
• Consultant to the Major Medical Equipment committee - in the area of Pain PT rehabilitation - if/when medically indicated Plans and carries out the full range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities where therapeutic objectives are complex - and procedures involved require the application of specialized skills and knowledge in the area of Pain PT
• Adapts and applies treatment procedures with critical concern for patients who are acutely ill - or who have a combination of severe mental/emotional or physical disabilities
• Treatment will be provided on the ward - in the facility and in the community as appropriate for the patient's needs
• These skills and interventions will be based on current occupational therapy theory - research - and practice
• Demonstrates independent problem-solving skills that allow for frequent modification of treatment plans in response to subtle - but significant changes in the condition of the patient
• The employment of innovative treatment techniques is used to obtain the best outcome
• Assesses for and requests prosthetic/orthotic equipment as needed and can make modifications as necessary
• Makes recommendations and referral to other medical specialties/services as needs are identified during ongoing assessment of this complex patient population
• Recognizes when to refer conditions outside the scope of PT practice - to the appropriate medical provider
• Assists in the scheduling of patients according to the physical therapy treatment plan while coordinating with the treatment plans of other disciplines within the team and facility
• Maintains a flexibility of schedule to allow for unscheduled patients - patient/team consultation and mentoring
• Maintains consistent and timely documentation of patient encounters in the electronic medical record in accordance with accepted PT practice - facility and Rehabilitation Service policies and procedures
• Participates in regular team meetings - verbal and written communication and consultation amongst team members in order to guide and evaluate the work of the multi-disciplinary program
• Collaboration with the team is necessary to develop a cohesive treatment plan for this complex patient population
• Assists in the care of patients other than those of the specialized area Pain rehab as caseload permits - or as the needs of the department dictate
• Maintains a workload and productivity consistent with the standards established by the Physical Therapy Section and the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service
• Fosters an environment that supports hope - be committed to eliminating barriers to the recovery - utilize ICARE values in the recovery process
• Work Schedule: M-F - Weekend/Holiday Rotations Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 00000