Summary

The Physical Therapist for the Women's Health Clinic within the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) Service will be assigned to outpatient and inpatient units. The primary responsibility is to perform comprehensive evaluations directed at ascertaining the patient's functional status - rehabilitation needs - goals - and rehabilitation potential. The therapist establishes age-appropriate therapeutic agendas - which are based on the patients identified deficits and expressed goals.

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: 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
• 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
• 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-11 Physical Therapist (Entry) Education - Experience - and Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements
• Assignment
• 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 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
• 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
• 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: This position will provide care in our Women's Health Clinic with interventions encompassing pelvic floor dysfunction and associated clinical needs in the Veteran population
• Evidence of advanced training - knowledge and clinical focus in this area of care is preferred
• 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: 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
• Physical Demands Work includes regular and recurring physical exertion in standing - bending - kneeling - reaching - gripping and walking
• Moderate to heavy lifting is required to assist patients and operate equipment
• Sitting is required in meeting and for conducting administrative work
• Above average agility may be desirable in defending oneself (or others) against physical attack/abuse
• Work may require good physical health - normal use of arms and legs and good visual and auditory acuity
• Work Environment Most treatment is provided at the VA Medical Center
• Evaluations are completed at the patients' home on an as needed basis
• Electrical and mechanical equipment requiring safety precautions is operated
• There is potential for exposure to body fluids - necessitating the need for appropriate protective practices
• There is potential for exposure to physically or verbally aggressive behaviors from patients who are confused or who have dementia and/or psychiatric conditions
• Work is performed in clinics - wards - exercise areas - office and conference rooms
• Incumbent may be exposed to infectious diseases - medical and psychiatric emergencies.

Duties

• Major Duties to include but not limited to: General Duties Performs appropriate cleansing and re-processing of reusable medical equipment in compliance with VHA directives and SOPs
• Plans and facilitates treatment programs for patients with complex impairments and providing therapeutic interventions to meet functional goals
• Maintains timely and appropriate documentation Of all consults - initial evaluations - progress notes - discharge notes - patient/family education - work load statistics - QA monitors
• patient attendance records and other clinical activities
• Follows appropriate billing and coding practices
• Inputs data into the computer system - or through approved charting methods - and updates daily to reflect current status of patients
• Supervises and trains students - volunteers - therapy assistants - therapists and non-PT students and support personnel
• Provides guidance and support to professional technical students
• Attends staff meetings as directed
• Clinical Duties: Serves as liaison to the Women's Health Program for Physical Therapy specifically and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service
• Performs comprehensive evaluations directed at ascertaining the patient's functional status - rehabilitation needs - goals - and rehabilitation potential
• Reviews patient medical records to assess appropriateness of physical therapy intervention - note any potential risks or contraindications to treatment and to assist in guiding the evaluation process
• Conducts evaluations which include medical history - results and interpretation of appropriate functional tests and measurements such as: range of motion - muscle strength - sensory/perceptual deficits - coordination - functional mobility - pain scales - and social needs
• Provides therapeutic interventions - which focus on posture - locomotion - strength - endurance - balance - coordination - joint mobility and flexibility
• Establishes therapeutic agendas that are age-appropriate and which are based on the patient's identified deficits and expressed goals
• Independently modifies goals and treatment based on response to care
• Schedules patients for evaluation
• Consults with staff and resident physicians through patient presentations - attendance at ward rounds - specialty clinics and/or conferences - committee meetings Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8am-4pm
• This position will also cover the outpatient and inpatient clinics as a part of regular rotations
• Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 25242F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized