Career Center

Summary

The Physical Therapist Home Based Care is assigned to the Primary Care for the Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System providing Occupational therapy services within the PM&RS service. Primary responsibility of this position is direct patient care of patients referred and/or requiring Physical Therapy intervention. This is a multi-disciplinary position and can be filled by either a Occupational Therapist or a Physical Therapist

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. Preferred Experience: 5 years' experience - home health experience

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship: Citizen of the United States
• Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• 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
• Foreign Graduates
• Graduates of foreign physical therapy programs meet the requirements in subparagraph 3b 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
• The Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT) is a non-profit organization created to assist the United States (U.S.) Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly INS) and U.S. state licensing authorities by evaluating the credentials of Foreign Educated Physical Therapists (FEPTs) who wish to immigrate and work in the U.S. 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
• The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) is committed to protect the public and to provide leadership within the field and practice of physical therapy
• FSBPT's Foreign Educated Standards Committee has developed standards that represent "best practices" in evaluation services
• The Credentials Evaluation Standards were developed with input from the physical therapy credentialing agencies that are licensed to use FSBPT's Coursework Tool
• 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 who have or have had multiple licenses and had any such license revoked for professional misconduct - professional incompetency or substandard care - or who surrendered such license after receiving written notice of potential termination of such license by the state for professional misconduct - professional incompetence - or substandard care - are not eligible for appointment to the position unless such revoked or surrendered license is fully restored (38 U.S.C 7402(f))
• Effective November 30 - 1999 - this is a requirement for employment
• This requirement does not apply to licensed physical therapists on VA rolls as of November 30 - 1999 - provided the individual maintains a continuous appointment and is not disqualified for employment by any subsequent revocations or voluntary surrenders of State license - registration or certification
• Loss of Credential: A PT who fails to maintain the required license must be removed from the occupation - which may result in termination of employment
• At the discretion of the appointing official - an employee may be reassigned to another occupation - if qualified - and if a placement opportunity exists
• 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: 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
• 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 incumbent must demonstrate the ability to walk - to get to other facility locations on a daily basis - standing - repeated bending - reaching overhead - and pushing Veterans and objects for up to four hours a regular shift - prolonged sitting - moderate lifting and carrying of 15-44 pounds.

Duties

• VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY The Physical Therapist will: Assess the living skills - physical abilities - and needs for each patient referred for in-home assessment
• Develop a treatment plan directed toward achieving maximum level of functioning within the home - consulting with other disciplines as indicated - and developing the plan of care in collaboration with he patient and caregiver
• Implement the treatment plan by providing direct patient care
• procuring necessary equipment/adaptive devices
• instructing and training the client and caregiver concerning exercises - activities of daily living - rehabilitation techniques - and equipment/adaptive devices
• and recommending community referrals
• Reassess patients' levels of functioning and home environment - revising the treatment plan as indicated and terminating treatment objectives when met and/or the patient has achieved maximum benefit from therapy
• Evaluate the need for additional services and use professional judgment to initiate consultation with other professionals to provide such services
• Evaluate the home for structural or positional changes in order to promote the patient's safety and independence
• Changes may include installation of ramps - bars - widening of door frames - remodeling bathrooms and kitchens for wheelchair accessibility - changes in furniture heights - adjustment of traffic patterns - and modification of wheelchairs
• Serve as content expert in ordering complex and specialized medical equipment
• Directly treat patients for limited duration or frequency as time allows utilizing techniques as deemed appropriate to the patient and setting
• Document initial assessments - treatment plans/goals - and response to treatment as determined in subsequent patient home visits - telephone calls - and case management work - according to licensure and Joint Commission standards
• Submit supporting documentation for reports as requested e.g. - Joint Commission - Management Briefings - etc
• Inspect and test in-home equipment for good operating condition
• Justify the need for new equipment and requests repairs through the appropriate channels
• Follow infection control and safety procedures
• Initiate the appropriate forms for the patient to apply for Home Improvement and Structural Alterations (HISA) funding with written justification
• Complete VA Clinical Reminders applicable to the therapist's assessment
• Participate in HBPC interdisciplinary team conferences in person whenever possible and by phone Otherwise Serve as consultant to other health professionals in the evaluation of patients with multiple and complex problems in the home - for which highly specialized knowledge and skills are required
• Develop and coordinate educational materials for the patient and/or caregiver of the veteran as indicated by the PT assessment and Joint Commission Home Care standards
• Abide by VA and HIPAA patient confidentiality regulations in documentation - consultation - and release of information
• Ensure that all Protected Health Information is secure at all times and kept in a lockable box during transport to patient homes
• Participate in peer competency and documentation evaluations of other HBPC PT's - including collaboratively determining appropriate educational needs to update competence
• Attend continuing education programs and read professional literature for the purpose of maintaining licensure or improving knowledge - skills - and attitudes in work performance and competence
• Apply new material learned towards the revision of procedures to reflect current methodology
• Attend or complete all VA-required educational programs within specified timeframes
• Develop and maintain population specific competencies related to home bound patients
• Assist in orienting - training - or supervising - as indicated - professional PT students - other disciplines - and students of the HBPC team - and volunteers
• Provide HBPC with in-services as indicated regarding new developments in PT or Other topics as appropriate
• Must be able to manage clinical workflow and needs as well as patient care needs to provide high quality patient care
• Must be able to work well with the interdisciplinary team and communicate team needs to address patient needs and complete projects
• Must be willing and able to assist with orientation and training
• Work Schedule: 08:00 - 4:30 PM Monday to Friday Compressed/Flexible: Compressed tour is negotiable Telework: Telework Situational (ad hoc) Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 58178-A - 58479-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized