Physical Therapist

Summary

Therapist will practice Physical Therapy (PT) at the assigned location throughout STVHCS Geriatrics & Extended Care (GEC) Programs as directed by the assigned Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) supervisor. A PT evaluates patients - plans - provides a full range of treatments designed to improve function through the use of physical modalities - therapeutic exercise - education - prostheses - assistive devices - and any other modality within the scope as outlined by the American Physical Therapy Association.

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: 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: 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 postbaccalaureate 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

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-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

NOTE

Individuals who have or have had multiple licenses and had any such license revoked for professional misconduct - professional incompetency or substandard care - or who surrendered such license after receiving written notice of potential termination of such license by the state for professional misconduct - professional incompetence - or substandard care - are not eligible for appointment to the position unless such revoked or surrendered license is fully restored (38 U.S.C 7402(f))

Effective November 30 - 1999 - this is a requirement for employment

This requirement does not apply to licensed physical therapists on VA rolls as of November 30 - 1999 - provided the individual maintains a continuous appointment and is not disqualified for employment by any subsequent revocations or voluntary surrenders of State license - registration or certification

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

Physical Requirements

Pre-placement and periodic physical examinations are required for hybrid occupations to ensure workers are placed in positions where they can perform the essential functions of their job considering their physical - mental and emotional capacities - without endangering their health or the health of their co-workers

See VA Directive and Handbook 5019

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

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: GS-11 Physical Therapist (Entry): Education - Experience - and Licensure

None beyond the basic requirements

(NOTE: See exception to licensure requirement in subparagraph 3c above.) 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: 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

Qualifications section will continue in Education section below:

Duties

VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY Major Duties: Clinical: Candidates must be licensed for assignment at this grade level and are considered to be at the full performance level

Staff PTs at this level are responsible for providing assessment of patients and treatment interventions

They are assigned to all program areas which are covered by the GEC Service and provide professional - independent physical therapy services in the assigned area(s)

PTs at this level may be given general assignments in any physical therapy program area where the advanced specialized knowledge is not required on a recurring basis due to the patient population served and complexity of the facility and/or treatment area or may serve as the sole PT at a less complex facility

Individuals may perform ancillary assignments - including program management duties on an occasional basis - where the complexity and amount of work is not substantial (less than 25% of duty time)

Assigns - manages - and evaluates work of subordinate staff

Upon referral from a physician - evaluates patients in complex cases to determine functional status - identifies problems and needs for individualized therapy treatment

Independently plans and develops comprehensive programs to meetpatients' needs within specialty programs

Reviews physical therapy documentation of initial findings - treatment goals estimated length of treatment - equipment recommendations - interim progress - and discharge summary in patients' medical records

Communicates effectively with physical therapy and medical center staff

Works effectively with health care providers in coordinating the patients' total care

Participates in conferences and assigned medical meetings

Understands rationale for all clinic procedures and has good operating knowledge of all equipment in the Physical Therapy Clinic

Administration Assigns and evaluates work of subordinate staff

Maintains attendance records and submits monthly reports and statistics

Maintains procedures consistent with STVHCS policies

Assists in the development of standards of care to ensure compliance with professional accrediting organizations

Maintains all data for quality assurance monitoring and evaluates data at specific intervals

Maintains adequate level of supplies

Maintains equipment in safe and operable condition through inspection and submission of work orders - as necessary

Other duties as assigned

Education Supervises and trains physical therapy students and volunteers

If assigned - acts as clinical education coordinator for the HCBC Section

Provides in-services training for physical therapy staff and other professionals - as necessary

Orients Visitors and volunteers to the role of physical therapy

Maintains professional state license and competency through continuing education with completion in each biennium of 3.0 Continuing Competency Units (CCU's)

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00AM - 4:30PM Telework: Ad-Hoc Only

Virtual: This is not a virtual position

Functional Statement #: 55520-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized