Physical Therapist

Summary

This position is established within the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System on the main campus in Tucson - Arizona or one of the five Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC). The incumbent may be assigned and rotated to the following treatment areas: acute inpatient - outpatient - and the Community Living Center (CLC) or assigned to a CBOC.

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

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

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 www.apta.org

(4) Foreign Graduates

Graduates of foreign physical therapy programs meet the requirements in subparagraph 3b if they have a full unrestricted and current license to practice physical therapy in a State - Territory or Commonwealth of the United States - or in the District of Columbia

The Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT) is a non- 4 profit organization created to assist the United States (U.S.) Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly INS) and U.S. state licensing authorities by evaluating the credentials of Foreign Educated Physical Therapists (FEPTs) who wish to immigrate and work in the U.S. Although the licensing of physical therapists in the U.S. is a right and responsibility of each jurisdiction - foreign educated individuals must undergo an educational credentials assessment for substantial equivalency to the first professional degree in the US

The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) is committed to protect the public and to provide leadership within the field and practice of physical therapy

FSBPT's Foreign Educated Standards Committee has developed standards that represent ""best practices"" in evaluation services

The Credentials Evaluation Standards were developed with input from the physical therapy credentialing agencies that are licensed to use FSBPT's Coursework Tool

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

Loss of Credential

A PT who fails to maintain the required license must be removed from the occupation - which may result in termination of employment

At the discretion of the appointing official - an employee may be reassigned to another occupation - if qualified - and if a placement opportunity exists

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)

Grandfathering Provision

All licensed PTs employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title - series and grade held - including positive education and licensure that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation

For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard - but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it - the following provisions apply:(1) Employees grandfathered into the GS-0633 occupational series as PTs may be reassigned - promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level - or changed to lower grade within the occupation.(2) PTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of this qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of this standard.(3) PTs initially grandfathered into this occupation - who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration - meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard and must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation

(4) If PTs who are grandfathered under this provision leave the occupation - the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation

Grade Determinations: GS-11 Education - Experience - and Licensure

None beyond the basic requirements

GS-12 Physical Therapist (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: 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.

Duties

Duties include - but are not limited to: CLINICAL Functions as an independent care provider within the health care team with the ability to make autonomous clinical decisions in a Direct Access environment

Must have a complete knowledge and depth of problem solving skills to develop and modify the treatment programs for 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

Expected 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

Applies thorough evaluation principles to tease out difficult clinical symptoms 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

Establishes meaningful therapeutic goals and independently designs a treatment plan to meet the goals established in the most efficient manner

Incumbent documents initial findings - treatment goals - equipment recommendations - follow-up progress and discharge summary in patient's medical record

Measures patient for assistive devices and special equipment

Fits devices for patient needs and instructs patient/care provider in the use of these devices

Recognizes adverse reaction to treatment - significantly altered physical or mental status of patients - and reports to appropriate medical authority

Applies all recognized physical therapy treatment procedures correctly - safely - and modifies these techniques in such a manner as not to interfere with any traction devices - surgical drains - catheters - or immobilizing appliances

Makes changes to the treatment intervention based on patient's response to treatment in a manner that utilizes creative thinking and problem solving that goes beyond the typical diagnosis based treatment pathways to reach maximal outcomes

Assures section compliance with all applicable standards such as CARF and the Joint Commission and National Patient Safety Goals

ADMINISTRATIVE Participates in daily management huddles - ward rounds - patient planning conferences - discharge planning meetings - specialty clinics - pain clinic - assigned medical meetings - physical therapy staff meetings - section in-service meetings and PM&R in-service meetings

Reports all safety hazards and faulty equipment to designated POC

Helps develop innovative programs and regularly reviews all existing programs to assure correct methodology is being incorporated in his/her program

Understand and adheres to section and service policies and Medical Center policies and regulations

Utilizes appropriate - effective instructor/learner interaction techniques to assure a positive learning atmosphere for students

Demonstrates tact - courtesy and a positive approach to communication and interaction with other employees - visitors - physicians - and the public

Participates in clinical research studies and/or as a consultant to others conducting research to further develop the scientific principles upon which clinical practice is based

EDUCATIONAL Attends seminars - workshops - in-service meetings and lectures to update physical therapy knowledge and skills

Serves on committees at the facility - in the community - or in the professional association

Acts as clinical educator for PT and PTA students who affiliate with this clinic - and completes all associated paperwork

Develops patient education printed material - exercise programs - etc

Implements and plans appropriate patient education programs - involving the patient - family - or other significant care provider in the instructional process

Participates in training programs or in activities involving safety - infection control - and quality assurance - when requested

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 7:00 am - 3:30 pm Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position

Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized