Details
Posted: 06-Aug-22
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Salary: Open
Categories:
Allied Health
Internal Number: 669898000
Position is within the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System on the main campus in Tucson, Arizona or one of the five Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC). May be assigned and rotated to the following treatment areas: acute inpatient, outpatient, and the Community Living Center (CLC) or assigned to a CBOC. This position is located at YUMA CBOC or telework availability from Tucson. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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-12 Physical Therapist (Full Performance Level) (a) 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: (b) 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. 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. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/99 PART II APPENDIX G12 Dated February 7, 2018. Physical Therapist Qualification Standard - GS-0633 Physical Requirements: The incumbent of the position will meet and maintain physical and drug test program requirements for the position as required. There will be periods of walking and ambulating patients, providing patient transfers, some lifting of 35 pounds and supporting patients. ["The physical therapist (PT) is responsible for independently evaluating patients and establishing and executing comprehensive treatment plans that include a full range of treatment procedures and modalities for patients with various disabilities and medical conditions. Treatment programs are designed to improve or restore function through the use of physical modalities and therapeutic exercises, utilizing prostheses, orthotics, or assistive devices, as needed. The PT plans home programs and instructs family or other care providers in home exercises and activities A.CLINICAL Functions as an independent care provider within the health care team with the ability to make autonomous clinical decisions in a Direct Access environment. Must have a complete knowledge and depth of problem solving skills to develop and modify the treatment programs for 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. Expected 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. Applies thorough evaluation principles to tease out difficult clinical symptoms 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. Determines physical therapy prognosis by incorporating examination findings with the patient's preferences to set clinically appropriate treatment goals, optimize outcomes and maximize functional independence. Adapts and modifies treatment programs, as indicated by patient's response to treatment, on an on-going basis to better meet short-term and long-term goals. Completes appropriately timed re-evaluations for the patients and modifies the goals based on the information gained by re-evaluation. Documents initial findings, treatment goals, equipment recommendations, follow-up progress and discharge summary in patient's medical record. Measures patient for assistive devices and special equipment. Fits devices for patient needs and instructs patient/care provider in the use of these devices. Develops home program for patients, as needed, prior to discharge. Instructs family or care provider in ways to assist patient to carry out the program. Recognizes adverse reaction to treatment, significantly altered physical or mental status of patients, and reports to appropriate medical authority. Applies all recognized physical therapy treatment procedures correctly, safely, and modifies these techniques in such a manner as not to interfere with any traction devices, surgical drains, catheters, or immobilizing appliances. Possesses a moderately complex foundation in the knowledge of indications and contraindications for use of the various physical modalities. Assures section compliance with all applicable standards such as CARF and the Joint Commission and National Patient Safety Goals. B. ADMINISTRATIVE Participates in daily management huddles, ward rounds, patient planning conferences, discharge planning meetings, specialty clinics, pain clinic, assigned medical meetings, physical therapy staff meetings, section in-service meetings and PM&R in-service meetings. Submits any special reports on patients, recurring and non-recurring PM&R or CBOC reports, when requested. Keeps attendance records and other statistical data on all his/her patients. Demonstrates tact, courtesy and a positive approach to communication and interaction with other employees, visitors, physicians, and the public. Participates in clinical research studies and/or as a consultant to others conducting research to further develop the scientific principles upon which clinical practice is based. C. EDUCATIONAL Attends seminars, workshops, in-service meetings and lectures to update physical therapy knowledge and skills. Develops patient education printed material, exercise programs, etc. Keeps abreast of current concepts in Physical Therapy by reading, attending educational courses, Intra-VA detail, workshops, etc Participates in training programs or in activities involving safety, infection control, and quality assurance, when requested. Work Schedule: Full-time, Permanent, Monday-Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm\nTelework: Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: Physical Therapist / 000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]