Physical Therapist

Summary

The Dayton, Ohio Veterans Affairs Medical Center is recruiting for a well-qualified Physical Therapist (part-time) in the Rehabilitation Service. This employee will provide rehabilitative services at the Dayton VA and/or other ancillary facilities as needed. They will work primarily with patients who have mobility impairments, secondary to orthopedic, neuromuscular, med-surgical diagnosis, etc. The goal is to improve clients' quality of life through improved functional mobility.

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:

Citizenship
Candidates must be a citizen of the United States
After a determination is made that it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens, necessary personnel may be appointed on a temporary basis
Education and experience
The individual must meet at least one of the requirements below: (1) Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND 5 years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist
(2) Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND 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
Verification of accredited programs may be obtained at
(4) 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
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
NOTE
Individuals who have or have had multiple licenses and had any such license revoked or surrendered are not eligible for appointment to the position unless such revoked or surrendered license is fully restored
This is a requirement for employment
This requirement does not apply to licensed physical therapists on VA rolls as of November 30, 1999, under certain provisions
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
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, certain provisions apply
Physical Requirements
Pre-placement and 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
English Language Proficiency
Individuals appointed 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)
Grade Determinations: Creditable Experience (1) Knowledge of Contemporary Professional Physical Therapy Practice
To be creditable, a candidate must have demonstrated possession of the required KSAs associated with the scope of physical therapy practice
The candidate's experience may be evidenced by one or more of the following: (a) Active professional practice
Active professional practice means paid/non-paid employment as a professional PT as defined by APTA or the appropriate licensing board
Experience gained after graduation but prior to licensure is creditable provided the candidate was utilized as a graduate PT and subsequently passed the licensure examination
(b) Completion of a post-graduate fellowship or a post-graduate residency program may be substituted for creditable experience on a year for year basis
(2) Quality of Experience
Experience is only creditable if it was post degree experience as a professional PT and is directly related to the duties to be performed
Qualifying experience must also be at a level comparable to or exceeding the professional PT experience at the next lower grade level
GS-12 Physical Therapist (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
Preferred Experience: Minimum 1 year experience in an Outpatient PT setting or 1 year post-grad PT Ortho Fellowship Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit .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
Physical Requirements: 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 meetings and for conducting administrative work
Work may require physical stamina, normal use of arms and legs, and good visual and auditory acuity.
Duties "VA Careers - Physical Therapy: Duties include, but are not limited to: Independently planning, developing, and implementing effective treatment protocols in the delivery of Physical Therapy for patients in an inpatient and/or outpatient rehab setting.
Solving problems related to contemporary physical therapy, adapting and modifying specialized treatment plans, activities, and procedures to meet the needs of an inpatient/outpatient population, including musculoskeletal and neuromuscular disorders.
Teaching patients and family members, and effectively serving as a consultant for health care providers regarding the delivery of care in Inpatient rehabilitation.
Developing/modifying and implementing evidence based protocols and procedures in Physical Therapy services for Inpatients with a multitude of diagnoses.
Assisting in the evaluation and treatment of other referred patients as needed to cover patient caseload in the PT clinic or as assigned by the Supervisory Rehabilitation Therapist or designee.
Reviewing the medical record, and independently utilizing appropriate standard measures as well as evaluation techniques pertinent to the diagnosis to determine functional deficits and the best method to accomplish rehabilitation goals.
Independently developing, implementing, and modifying treatment utilizing specialized interventions and strategies to achieve maximum function and independence for patients with a variety of impairments.
Educating patients and families about disease process, purpose of treatment, and patient's rights and responsibilities to improve compliance with treatment.
Documenting results of evaluations, patient treatment including patient/family education, and patient's response to treatment in accordance with DVAMC policies, CARF, and The Joint Commission standards.
Providing appropriate treatment for disabilities according to protocols, physician's orders, and medical necessity.
Consulting with referring providers and multidisciplinary team members.
Serving as a consultant and resource person for other staff in regard to evaluation, treatment planning and provision of PT services for patients with a variety of diagnoses including but not limited to musculoskeletal and neuromuscular disorders.
Possibly evaluating work of subordinate staff and resolve problems interfering with patient care delivery.
Supervising assigned trainees and interns in accordance with the affiliating institution and APTA fieldwork performance requirements.
Conducting in-services and clinical training related to Inpatient/Geriatric rehabilitation.
Maintaining current credentials to practice by participating in professional and continuing education courses as required.
Participating in research programs as requested by PT section or Rehab Care Line.
Participating in all required DVAMC annual training, including CPR, Infection Control, equipment and fire and safety, etc.
Reviewing and demonstrating knowledge of DVAMC, The Joint Commission, CARF, and APTA policies, directives, regulations, and guidelines.
Participating in Performance Improvement programs as required by the sections or the care lines.
Participating in other collateral duties.
Work Schedule: 8 hours per day, schedule set upon hire, limited from 0730 to 1700, 20 hours per week.
Compressed/Flexible: Not available Telework: ad-hoc upon completed of any required in-person training within needs of service.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 91717-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not authorized"

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