Physical Therapist

Summary

This position is located in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service of the Northern Arizona VA Healthcare System in Prescott - Arizona. The Physical Therapist delivers patient care using a four-step process that includes assessment - treatment planning - implementation of therapeutic interventions - and ongoing evaluation of outcomes. This position will primarily in the Outpatient Clinics - other duty locations may be assigned dependent on need.

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
• English Language Proficiency
• Individuals must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f)
• Education
• Candidates must have: A bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist
• OR A master's in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist
• OR A doctorate degree in physical therapy
• 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
• Foreign Graduates
• Graduates of foreign physical therapy programs meet the above 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
• The Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT) is a non- 4 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
• All applicants must 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
• Loss of Credentials: 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
• Grade Determinations: Grade GS-11: None beyond the basic requirements
• Grade GS-12: Experience/Education
• One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
• OR a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or three academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a degree in kinesiotherapy or an exercise science related field
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Skill in communicating and coordinating with patients - families - caregivers - and other health care professions to facilitate the multidisciplinary treatment process
• Knowledge of evidence-based kinesiotherapy to provide skilled rehabilitation interventions to a wide variety of patients having multiple disabilities
• Ability to conduct independent assessments using highly specialized evaluations and diagnostic tests
• Knowledge of learning principles - behavioral intervention - and innovational techniques for patient and caregiver education
• Ability to adapt assessment tools and treatment to the complexity of the diagnosis or disabilities and demonstrate the clinical reasoning necessary to identify the need for further in-depth specific assessment of function and utilization of non-standard methods and techniques
• Ability to use clinical reasoning necessary to identify the need for further in depth specific assessment and/or continuation of treatment
• 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)
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit 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: 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

• GS-12 (Full Performance Level): Practices autonomously at the full performance level - making clinically indicated recommendations and referrals to other specialties/services during ongoing assessment
• Selects and applies equipment and assistive technology to substitute for loss or limited function - ensuring safety and efficacy
• Performs general assignments across physical therapy service areas and - when required - serves as the sole PT in less complex settings
• performs occasional ancillary assignments
• Provides direct access care - independently making autonomous clinical decisions to evaluate and treat patients across Outpatient - Inpatient - and CLC settings
• Performs comprehensive examinations and evaluations addressing musculoskeletal - neuromuscular - cardiovascular - pulmonary - and integumentary systems - integrating psychosocial and environmental factors
• Interprets examination findings and diagnostic studies - selects appropriate clinical tests and measures - and integrates results into an evidence-based plan of care for the full range of patient populations
• Establishes physical therapy diagnoses and identifies appropriate rehabilitation interventions - referring to other providers for further consultation when indicated
• Determines physical therapy prognosis by incorporating examination findings with patient preferences to set clinically appropriate goals - optimize outcomes - and maximize functional independence
• Selects and fits equipment to substitute for loss or limited function and trains patients/caregivers in safe and effective use
• Develops and updates evidence-based treatment programs
• reviews/analyzes treatment effectiveness
• modifies plans of care to achieve patient-centered outcomes
• Coordinates patient referrals and discharge planning with PT and Medical Center staff
• participates in interdisciplinary rounds - specialty clinics - conferences - and provides patient presentations
• Provides clinical oversight to Physical Therapist Assistants - delegating and supervising tasks consistent with scope - regulations - and patient safety
• Serves as Clinical Instructor for PT and PTA students
• delivers individualized clinical training experiences
• observes and evaluates student performance using affiliated institutions' evaluation guides
• Documents patient performance - response - and functional achievement toward goals
• maintains timely - complete - and accurate records
• assures productivity and quality care while providing cost-effective treatments
• Mentors junior Physical Therapists - models outstanding clinical practice - and contributes to research and educational activities to advance physical therapy knowledge and techniques
• Communicates clearly - courteously - and respectfully with patients - families - and stakeholders
• clarifies information
• responds to inquiries/complaints in a timely manner
• refers inquiries appropriately
• maintains confidentiality and privacy in all communications
• Displays a cooperative attitude and works effectively with coworkers - supervisors - interdisciplinary team members - and other services to implement section - service - and organizational goals
• identifies and resolves interpersonal/professional conflicts
• Reports unusual difficulties involving patient treatment to the Supervisor - Acting Supervisor - or Service Chief of PM&RS - and the referring provider as needed
• Availability for occasional travel and weekend work as needed to meet patient care and operational needs
• GS-11 (Developmental Level): PTs at this level are responsible for providing assessment and treatment intervention
• PTs plan and modify treatment based on a patient's response to intervention and/or change in medical condition
• PTs at this level may be given general assignments in any physical therapy program area where advanced specialized knowledge is not required or may serve as the sole PT such as in an outpatient clinic
• Licensed PTs may provide oversight and delegate patient care responsibilities to a Physical Therapist Assistant - and/or delegate non- patient care duties to non-licensed staff
• PTs that are not licensed must practice under the close supervision of a licensed PT Work Schedule: 40 hours a week - Monday - Friday - 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.

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