Career Center

Summary

The Physical Therapist (PT) position is assigned to the Battle Creek VAMC with primary duty station identified as the Battle Creek VA Medical Center. The PT may be rotated to outpatient - inpatient acute or the Community Living Center (CLC) for short term rehabilitation or long-term care. Incumbent will be expected to work Saturdays on a rotational basis if needed. This PT may be required to travel to VA Clinics for patient care needs.

Qualifications

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 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
• 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
• 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) Education - Experience - and Licensure
• None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-12 Physical Therapist (Full Performance Level) 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
• Preferred Experience: None beyond basic requirements and grade determinations
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is 12
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 11 to 12
• Physical Requirements: Pre-placement and periodic physical examinations are required for hybrid occupations to ensure workers are placed in positions where they can perform the essential functions of their job considering their physical - mental and emotional capacities - without endangering their health or the health of their co-workers
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Duties

• Duties and skills needed to be successful in this position include - but are not limited to: The Physical Therapist's (PT) primary function is direct patient care
• Treatment duties include varied and extensive evaluations - treatment and documentation - as well as patient/family education
• Incumbent will examine each individual and develop a plan - using treatment techniques to promote the ability to move - reduce pain - restore function - prevent disability and improve quality of life
• The PT will embrace evidenced based practice standards in diagnosis - examination - management - intervention - treatment and outcome measurements
• The licensed PT collaborates across the continuum of care
• They ensure services are coordinated - including ordering studies of value and being consumer-centered by referring - co-managing - engaging consultants and independently supervising care
• This individual must have knowledge of skills and ability to interact with and provide treatment to patients from young adulthood through geriatric age and be able to fulfill their age specific needs
• The population served includes adults and geriatric patients with physical - cognitive - psychiatric disabilities
• The Physical Therapist functions as an independent care provider within the health care team and will provide clinical oversight for Physical Therapist Assistants (PTA)
• Screens and interprets PT consults using specialized skills and medical knowledge in the evaluation of the patients' medical condition
• Evaluates the patients' present functional level and disabilities
• Ages of patients served at this facility range from the young adult age 20-30 - middle aged patients age 30-40 - to the elderly or geriatric patient age 60 and older
• There is great variance in the developmental needs of these patients
• Every effort will be taken to modify treatment in response to these variances so that optimal care can be provided for each patient referred for physical medicine and rehabilitation services
• Establishes meaningful/measurable/functional therapeutic goals and independently designs a treatment plan to meet the goals established in the most efficient manner
• Completes appropriately timed reevaluations for the patients and modifies the goals based on the information gained by re-evaluation
• A therapist at this level will select accurate ICD IO and CPT billing codes
• They should identify legal and ethical ramifications of billing incorrectly
• The PT must demonstrate understanding and practice documentation and coding practices to maximize reimbursement potential and capture billable RYUs (relative value units)
• Presents contemporary topics/issues using current evidence and sound teaching principles in the form of case studies - in-services - journal article review - etc.
• provides educational in-services to PT team - interdisciplinary health care providers and others as requested
• Participates in Program Improvement work groups and has a working knowledge of Departmental Program Improvement projects
• Participates in multidisciplinary meetings and rounds as appropriate
• Participates in staff meetings and Physical therapy staff meetings as established
• Participates in JCAHO activities as required
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00am-4:30pm - Occasional weekend coverage Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 93553A - 93554A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized