Physical Therapist - Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration

Summary This position is located in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service, Boise VA Medical Center, Boise, ID. Responsibilities Duties include but are not limited to the following: Performs as an independent practitioner, embraces evidenced-based practice standards in diagnosis, examination, management, intervention, treatment and outcome measurement. Collaborates across the continuum of care. Ensures that services are coordinated, including recommending studies of value and being consumer ­centered by referring, co-managing, engaging consultants, and independently supervising care. Uses differential diagnosis as a consistent way to screen for systemic diseases and medical conditions that can mimic neuromuscular and musculoskeletal problems. The model covers past medical history, risk factor assessment, clinical presentation, associated signs and symptoms, and review of bodily systems for each patient. Manages patients with multiple personal factors and/or comorbidities that impact the plan of care. Completes an examination of multiple body systems using standardized tests and measures, addressing multiple elements from any of the following: body structures and functions, activity limitations, and/or participation restrictions. Manages patients with unstable and unpredictable clinical presentations. Exercises clinical decision-making of high complexity using standardized patient assessment instruments and/or measurable assessments of functional outcome. Performs PT evaluations and treatments according to established PM&RS/HBPC protocols and/or evidence-based practice guidelines. Makes autonomous clinical decisions in an autonomous and/or Direct Access environment. Includes the ability to independently evaluate and treat patients who seek physical therapy services. Serves as a subject matter expert for other medical center staff in the evaluation and rehabilitative treatment of individuals with, or at risk to develop, limitations related to cardiovascular, pulmonary, neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, and/or integumentary systems. Performs 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/or integumentary systems while considering the effects attributable to unique psychosocial and environmental factors. Interprets findings from examination and evaluation, selects appropriate tests and measures, and integrates findings into the physical therapy plan of care for the full range of patient populations. Establishes a diagnosis with the scope of physical therapy and identifies the appropriate rehabilitation intervention, including referral to another provider for further consultation as clinically indicated. Determines the physical therapy prognosis by incorporating examination findings with the patient's preferences to set clinically appropriate treatment goals, optimize outcomes and maximize functional independence. Independently provides clinical oversight of Physical Therapy Assistants as well as students on clinical affiliations who are in Doctoral PT Programs or PTA Programs. Evaluates for, issues, and trains in the use of assistive devices. Communicates verbally and in writing in accordance with PM&RS performance standards. Participates in team, clinical, department, and program meetings. Participates in studies of patient access, clinic utilization, performance monitors. Works to improve these areas as directed. Delegates selected components of the treatment plan to physical therapy assistants as is within their scope of practice. Furthers professional growth and development. Collects and reports functional outcomes. Complies with Standard Precautions and Infection Control principles in daily work. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30-4:00 pm Telework: Available on ad-hoc basis only. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-verify.gov 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. See Chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. 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). GS-12 Physical Therapist Grade Determinations: Education, Experience and Licensure: In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level AND hold a valid unrestricted state license. Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities: In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs 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. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/99 PART II APPENDIX G12 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Standing, walking, squatting, bending, sitting, and changing from one position to another frequently throughout the day. Requires good manual dexterity to manipulate patients and equipment. According to the US Department of Labor, the strength requirement of an physical therapist is medium. Medium is defined as exerting (to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects) 20 to 50 pounds of force frequently (2/3 of the time), and /or up to 10 pounds offorce constantly. Must have the ability to bend, lift, and assist with transfers. Must have adequate physical strength to assist with resistive activities. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.