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Veterans Health Administration is Hiring a Physical Therapist Near Fredericksburg, VA

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: Citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English language in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3j.
• Education and Experience: The individual must meet at least one of the requirements below:
  • Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. OR,
  • Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. OR,
  • Doctorate degree in physical therapy.
• Licensure: current, full, active, 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 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.
  • Loss of Credential: A Physical Therapist 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.

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 Requirements (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:

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 Physical Therapist Qualification Standards.

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: Work includes regular and recurring physical exertion, which involves standing, bending, kneeling, reaching, gripping, and walking. Moderate to heavy lifting (45lbs or greater) is often required. Sitting at meetings, desks, or computer terminals for documentation purposes is required. Visual acuity to perform daily documentation and work with clients. Mental and emotional stability to work with varied caseloads

Responsibilities:

VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Displays full professional knowledge and understanding of theories of Physical Therapy clinical evaluation and treatment of patients who present with a variety of disabilities and age groups.
• Responsible for the examination and treatment of patients referred for services as per the clinical direction of the Supervisor, Outpatient Physical Therapy Section.
• Evaluates a wide variety of patients, interpreting consults from primary care physicians and evaluating patient's level of function, e.g. balance, muscle strength, range of motion, etc. using complex evaluation procedures.
• Utilizes evaluation data to implement a treatment plan in collaboration with the patient which includes both short and long terms goals with timeframes of achievement.
• Continuous re-evaluation of patient's status with appropriate client-centered client preferences in order to modify treatment plan to better meet short and long-term goals, optimizing outcomes and functional independence.
• Evaluates patient's need for assistive devices and trains patients in their use; evaluates device and makes recommendations for adjustment.
• Documents in patient's medical record the results of the initial evaluation, the treatment plans, and changes in patient's status within department guidelines. Discharge summary includes a summary of progress, functional status at discharge, outcomes, and recommendations.
• Plans and implements appropriate patient education program involving patient and family when feasible; documents education in chart.
• Attends interdisciplinary team meetings, advising team members of the patient's potential in relation to his functional ability.
• Other duties as required.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 5:30pm
Telework: Not Eligible
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #:652-1200FA
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Job Summary