Physical Therapist

Summary

The staff physical therapist is a licensed professional therapist who is primarily responsible for evaluating - planning and implementing the treatment program for patients with various disabilities and medical conditions. The therapist functions as an independent care provider within the health care team.

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

Citizenship

Candidates must be a citizen of the United States

After a determination is made that it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens - necessary personnel may be appointed on a temporary basis under authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 without regard to the citizenship requirements of 38 U.S.C. 7402 or any other law prohibiting the employment of or payment of compensation to a person who is not a citizen of the United States

Candidates must meet all other requirements for the grade and position concerned

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

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

(2) Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist

(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

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

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 the basic requirements for appointment - the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates

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 7 well as students on clinical affiliations who are in Doctoral PT Programs or PTA Programs

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: The employee is required to meet the following physical requirements: heavy lifting (45 pounds and over) - moderate lifting (15-45 pounds) - light lifting (under 15 pounds) - reaching above the shoulder - use of fingers - both hands required - walking (up to 8 hours) - repeated bending (2 hours) - ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously - hearing (aid permitted) - and emotional/mental stability.

Duties

As independent practitioners - licensed physical therapists embrace evidenced based practice standards in diagnosis - examination - management - intervention - treatment and outcome measurement

Licensed physical therapists collaborate across the continuum of care

They ensure that services are coordinated - including ordering studies of value and being consumer-centered by referring - co-managing - engaging consultants - and independently supervising care

Major duties include but are not limited to : Conduct comprehensive assessments of residents to evaluate mobility - functional impairments - and rehabilitation needs - and develop individualized treatment plans

Provide therapeutic interventions such as exercise programs - gait training - balance training - pain management - and use of modalities to improve residents' strength - mobility - and independence

Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams-including nursing - occupational therapy - speech therapy - and physicians-to coordinate care and set functional goals for residents

Educate residents - families - and caregivers on exercise programs - safety strategies - use of assistive devices - and techniques to maximize independence and prevent falls or further injury

Accurately maintaining documentation in keeping with PM&R service-level and hospital-wide policies

Involved in teaching students in various disciplines who are assigned clinical rotations in the PM&R area

Contributes to the maintenance of a safe - therapeutic environment in all clinical areas assigned

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: ADHOC Virtual: This is not a virtual position

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