Physical Therapist

The North Florida/South Georgia VA Healthcare System's Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service is seeking an experienced and dynamic Physical Therapist. Ideal applicants are those who want to contribute to the achievement of quality care standards, as well as the growth and development of a VA academic hospital program. You must be an excellent communicator and team player who is adaptable to the needs of a growing medical center.

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:

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.

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 postbaccalaureate 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. The CAPTE is the only accreditation agency recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) to accredit entry-level physical therapy programs. Verification of accredited programs may be obtained from the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) at www.apta.org.

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).

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.

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for appointment the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates.

GS-11 Physical Therapist (Entry): Education, Experience, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements.

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:
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 is located in the MICU and will be a part of the interdisciplinary team. MICU/SICU and acute care experience 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: Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing/bending/pushing/pulling, in conjunctions with the normal functions of a Physical Therapist. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds. The incumbent must be physically, emotionally and mentally stable in order to efficiently perform the essential functions of this position without hazard to themselves or others.

Responsibilities:

Duties include but not limited to:

• Demonstrates knowledge relative to the impact of acute, chronic, and overuse musculoskeletal injuries, with conditions affecting the spine, shoulder, hips and knees, and overall persistent pain conditions.
• Independently performs comprehensive evaluations that include but are not limited to the musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, integumentary, and cardiovascular systems, and the patient's functional status.
• Independently establishes therapeutic agendas based on the patient's age, identified deficits, and expressed goals.
• Adheres to the hospital's infection control procedures to prevent morbidity and ensure positive outcomes.
• Identifies medical-rehabilitative problems that interfere with the therapeutic process and makes appropriate, timely referrals to remedy issues.
• Functions as a resource during evaluation, treatment and family conferences, providing insights relative to the patient's functional level and recommendations for disposition.
• Evaluates patient's needs for assistive devices, and adaptive appliances, recommends adjustments for prosthetic/orthotic devices and makes minor adjustments to obtain maximal functional benefits.
• Functions as a mentor to other physical medicine and rehabilitation services (PMRS) staff via in-servicing, 1:1 instruction, and sharing of current research in relevant clinical topics.
• Provides clinical training experiences for pre-clinical and graduate therapists, as well as for physical therapy assistant students from accredited physical therapy and physical therapy assistant programs.
• Responsible for coordinating and maintaining records related to required monthly pain chart audits.
• Participates in PM&RS Performance Improvement activities, assessing the quality and scope of care provided.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Wednesday - Saturday; 8:00am - 6:30pm
(Note: Work schedules are determined and approved by the supervisor. The incumbent may be required to work various shifts on a permanent or temporary basis based on facility/patient care needs).
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 50062F, 51292F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Salary : $74,678