Summary

This Physical Therapist independently evaluates patients, plans, executes and, if necessary, modifies a full range of treatment procedures designed to restore optimal function to patients in a general outpatient setting. The incumbent will provide physical therapy to veterans who often have multiple interacting complex acute and/or chronic musculoskeletal, medical, or neurological problems.

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: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. §
• 7403(f)
• Education: 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
• 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 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 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
• 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
• Grade Determinations: Physical Therapist, GS-0633-11 Education, Experience, and Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements
• Physical Therapist, GS-0633-12 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
• Preferred Experience: Recent outpatient experience References: VA Handbook 5005/99 Part II Appendix G12, Physical Therapist, GS-0633, Qualification Standard
• This can be found in the local Human Resources Office
• 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: This works involves standing and walking for about 70-80% of a normal workday
• In addition, the physical therapist must be able to squat, kneel, push and pull, and lift loads from the ground and from above shoulder height
• The physical demand level as defined by the Department of Labor is 'Medium'
• requiring the occasional lifting of 20-50 lbs., the frequent lifting of 10-25 lbs
• and the constant lifting of 10 lbs
• during the normal workday
• Physical Therapy requires manual dexterity and coordination to use modalities such as ultrasound and TENS units, and to demonstrate the use of mobility equipment such as walkers and wheelchairs
• In addition, physical therapists must be able to modify such equipment using tools.

Duties

• This position is seated in the PT clinic in the Oakland Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) where the incumbent is regarded as an expert in matters relating to physical rehabilitation
• This Physical Therapist will provide physical therapy services to veterans with a large variety of orthopedic, neurological and medical diagnoses in accordance with Rehabilitation Section policies and procedures, APTA, Physical Therapy Board of California guidelines and VA regulations governing the practice of physical therapy
• The assignment will include providing physical therapy services in post-surgical and non-operative case for conditions both acute and chronic
• Services might also include teaching veterans in a class format, using telehealth modalities and meeting the needs of drop in patients/same day referrals
• Clinical Demonstrates ability to make autonomous clinical decisions in a Direct Access environment with consideration for local Scope of Practice guidelines
• This includes the ability to independently evaluate and treat patients who seek physical therapy services
• Reviews and screens patient's medical record for appropriateness of PT intervention, noting any potential risks or contraindications to treatment and to assist in guiding the evaluation process
• Screens outpatients for readiness to begin PT
• Performs comprehensive evaluations and examinations of patients who have or may develop impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions related to conditions of the musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, pulmonary and/or integumentary systems
• Evaluations are conducted independently, and results are documented according to departmental and Medical Center standards
• Interprets findings, selects appropriate tests, and measures, and integrates findings into the PT plan of care
• Establishes a diagnosis within the scope of physical therapy and identifies the appropriate rehabilitation intervention, including referral to another provider for further consultation
• Participates in trans-disciplinary clinics as appropriate
• Establishes a diagnosis within the scope of physical therapy and identifies the appropriate rehabilitation intervention, including referral to another provider for further consultation
• Educational Investigates current concepts and scientific principles in Physical Therapy practice through literature reviews and study of current research
• Applies evidence-based treatment approaches to clinical practice
• Regularly attends continuing education courses, conferences and inservices in the professional community and within VA
• Orients patient, physicians, allied health professionals, students, volunteers, and community representatives to the purpose and function of Physical Therapy
• Assumes responsibility (under the direction of the Chief of Physical Therapy) for physical therapy program development within the CBOC
• Provides in-services and clinical training programs on topics of physical rehabilitation to peers and other CBOC staff including nurses, physicians, and allied health professionals
• Serves as a mentor to junior therapists and new hires
• Provides clinical oversight of students and interns on clinical affiliations who are in Doctoral PT Programs or PTA programs
• Assists Center Coordinator with developing and upgrading student training program content Administrative Records and submits in a timely manner productivity and workload information
• Submits other data and reports as requested by Supervisor
• Assists with program development such as establishing pre- and post-operative PT programs and rehabilitation protocols, and class content (for diagnosis specific classes)
• Understands and adheres to Rehabilitation Section's policies and procedures as outlined in Section manual
• Completes all patient related documentation activities in the required time frame including but not limited to documentation in the patient's record, and prosthetic requests
• Participates in PT quality improvement (QI) program by regularly contributing to the monitoring of important aspects of patient care including peer chart reviews
• VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY Work Schedule: M-F 0800-0430 Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized