Physical Therapist

Summary

Tennessee Valley Healthcare Service (TVHS) is a tertiary integrated healthcare system comprised of two hospitals - the Alvin C. York in Murfreesboro - TN - and the Nashville campus - and 19 community-based outpatient clinics located in Tennessee and Kentucky. The Physical Therapist evaluates and plans treatment program on an individual basis for patients referred with levels of function ranging from simple to the most complex.

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/or Experience

The individual must meet at least one of the following requirements below: Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist

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

OR Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy

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

PLEASE NOTE: Individuals must be a graduate of a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredited college or university

Licensure - You must hold a full - current - and unrestricted license to practice physical therapy in a State - Territory - or Commonwealth of the United States - or the District of Columbia

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

GS-12 Grade Determinations: Experience and Licensure: In addition to the basic requirements listed above - candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level and hold a valid unrestricted state license

Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSA): 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

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)

Preferred Experience: Experience in outpatient physical therapy setting treating musculoskeletal and neurologic conditions 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

Physical Requirements: Sitting - standing - light lifting (up to 20 lbs.)

Duties

VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY Major Duties include but are not limited to: Evaluates - plans treatment program on an individual basis for patients referred with levels of function ranging from simple to the most complex

Utilizes standard and non-standard methods - based on contemporary and evidenced based physical therapy (PT) practice - particularly as related to orthopedic/neurologic patients

Established treatment procedures are not always applicable and - at times - must be substantially adapted and applied with critical concern for patients who are acutely ill - or who have a combination of severe mental or physical disabilities with secondary complications

Treatment plans require frequent modification in response to subtle but significant changes in the condition of the patient

The employment of unusual and innovative treatment techniques is often necessary to obtain the best medical/surgical outcome

Flexibility of schedule must be maintained to allow for unscheduled patients and for mentoring and consultation

Evaluations include a medical history and results and interpretation of the appropriate tests and measurements performed

Tests are frequently complex and may need to be adapted because of multiple physical and emotional disabilities or present orthopedic/neurologic conditions

Assesses patient's learning needs - and plans and implements appropriate patient education programs - involving the patient - family - and significant others in the instructional process

Provides instruction to patient and family as appropriate to their roles and level of understanding

Exercises originality in solving problems not covered by these guides - making innovative adaptations and modifications of treatment plans and procedures in order to meet the varying needs of patients

Responsible for the care - upkeep - and sanitation of equipment used

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 7:30 AM-4:00 PM Telework: Ad-Hoc as determined by the agency policy

Virtual: This is not a virtual position

Functional Statement #: 71585-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized