Physical Therapist

Summary

This Physical Therapist position is in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service of the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center located in Houston - Texas.

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

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 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

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

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

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) (a) Education - Experience - and Licensure

None beyond the basic requirements

GS-12 Physical Therapist (Full Performance Level) (a) 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: (b) 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

Preferred Experience: Current or previous experience with VA Active Management of Pain and worked in a group or outpatient setting

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/

The 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: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation - see Duties section for essential job duties of the position

May require standing - lifting - carrying - sitting - stooping - bending - puling - and pushing

May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment

Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions

the area is adequately lighted - heated - and ventilated

However - the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

Duties

This position supports the Active Management of Pain (AMP) initiative to provide an approach that leverage the knowledge and skills of a clinical psychologist alongside the physical therapist who will work together in a coordinated and collaborative treatment approach to a multimodal chronic pain management within the pain management team

Utilizes evaluation data to plan and implement comprehensive patient treatment - involving patient in the goal setting and treatment processes as feasible

Responsible for the application of behavioral strategies to recognize and address fear avoidance presentations - as well as for adapting physical therapy approach to patients presenting with a combination of severe mental and physical disabilities

Communicates effectively - both orally and in writing - with patients

Develops an individualized patient centered treatment program for each patient including short and long term goals as appropriate

Implements - in a timely manner - progressive treatment programs to meet goals - taking into consideration particularly the rehabilitation problems of each patient

Applies 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 - immobilizing appliances - respiratory aides - or monitoring devices

On an on-going basis - in response to the patient's reaction to treatment - adapts and modifies treatment programs - to better meet short term and long term goals

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

Documents initial findings - treatment goals - equipment recommendations - treatment provided - patient progress - patient/family education - and discharge summary in patient's medical record

Participates in multidisciplinary team meetings - as well as pain committee meetings - as indicated by Pain Clinic leadership - as well as section and service leadership

Completes patient and/or family training as indicated

Work Schedule: 8:00 am - 4:30 PM Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position

Functional Statement #: 02259-F

02260-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized