Summary

This position is located in the Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) section of Primary Care Service within the Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (TVHS), which is classified as a complexity level 1A facility. The Physical Therapy Clinical Specialist is considered the subject matter expert and is responsible for the development of treatment programs for a very complex and wide patient population; often in dire environments; independently, separated from immediate clinical resources.

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: 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• Driver's License Requirement - A current, valid state issued Driver's License is required for this position
• NOTE: We cannot accept photographs, therefore
• please do not submit a copy of your license with your application package
• If an interview is requested, you will be required to provide a copy of your current, valid state-issued Driver's License
• 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)
• Grandfathering Provision
• All licensed PTs employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation
• For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Employees grandfathered into the GS-0633 occupational series as PTs may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation
• PTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of this qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of this standard
• PTs initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration, meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard and must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation
• If PTs who are grandfathered under this provision leave the occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation
• Grade Determinations: GS-12 Physical Therapist: 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
• 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 GS-12
• Physical Requirements: Regular and recurring physical exertion in standing, walking, bending, reaching, and sitting should be anticipated routinely
• Light to heavy lifting may be required at times
• Work discharge may require physical health, unhindered use of arms and legs, and good visual and auditory acuity.

Duties

• VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY Major duties for the position include (but are not limited to): Functions as the Physical Therapy on a multi-disciplinary team by communicating directly with team members such as Physician, RN, Nurse Practitioner, Social Worker, Dietitian, Psychologist, Pharmacist and any other disciplines involved with the patient's care
• Works cohesively with team members to provide comprehensive treatment
• Advises members of the multi-disciplinary team of the patient's physical therapy treatment plan, durable medical equipment (DME), home modification recommendations, recommendations for overcoming environmental obstacles, any noted inadequacy of caregivers, and provides longitudinal care planning information
• Represents physical therapy in the development of policy and procedures, the development of QA monitors related to the HBPC patients, and the development of standards of care in compliance with accrediting and professional organizations relating to the care of HBPC patients
• Provides independent evaluation for a wide variety of health issues to include poly-trauma patients with traumatic brain injury, cerebrovascular accidents, spinal cord injury, amputations, cardiopulmonary/circulatory disorders, orthopedic disorders, neurological disorders, musculoskeletal dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, autoimmune disorders, mental illness, and cognitive impairment
• Makes referrals to the appropriate specialty clinics based on findings for items that cannot be provided in the home
• Independently evaluates all home-bound patients referred to HBPC and implements appropriate treatment
• The ages of HBPC patients range from adult to geriatric, the majority being geriatric, having a variety of disabilities
• These cases may be complex in nature with chronic and acute disease entities
• Independently complete a physical therapy evaluation, an environmental accessibility/safety/emergency preparedness assessment, and fall risk assessment
• Determines appropriate durable medical equipment required, and recommends appropriate interventions to improve the patient's functional and mobility abilities
• Uses standard and non-standard methods for evaluating issues in the home environment to identify potential problems and obtain a baseline level of function
• Incumbent has the ability to determine the most appropriate plan of care relative to the patient's diagnosis, age, financial standing, social condition, and cognitive abilities with the goal being to achieve the highest level of understanding and functioning by the patient
• Independently develop appropriate treatment plans and goals, including determination of appropriate home modifications that may improve safety, increase independence, and decrease caregiver burden
• Assists the veteran patient in pursuing home modifications, including referral to community resources for adaptations such as remodeling, improved home access, etc
• Provides education to patients, families, caregivers, VA medical staff, fee-basis agency employees, public assistive living facility staff
• Coordinates and provides assistance regarding HISA grant and adaptive housing programs
• Coordinates visits with independent vendors and contractors at the patient's home to coordinate accessible adaptations to their environment
• Submits patient's for catastrophic disability benefits when it is found that the patient meets the criteria
• Independently evaluates medical needs for appropriate adaptive and assistive equipment
• Measures, fits, and instructs patients and caregivers in the safe use of any issued adaptive equipment or assistive devices
• Responsible for selecting and placing orders for the most appropriate durable medical equipment among numerous possibilities
• Determines which suits the patient's needs according to the patient's specific functional deficits as well as accounting for the patient's home restrictions and the other members of the home that share the area with the patient, Recommends necessary modifications to provide for proper fit
• teaches patient/caregiver safe/correct use of equipment
• instructs, motivates and assists patients and caregivers in individualized, special home/environmental assessments
• and, provides safety/mobility instructions to prevent falls and injuries
• Provides an annual assessment of equipment to determine continued stability of the device
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00AM - 4:30 PM Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #:000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized