Career Center

Individual in this assignment typically work as a member of the Central Virginia Veterans Healthcare System (CVHCS), Richmond, VA Physical Therapy Department, a Complexity Level 1A (High Complexity) medical center and spends the majority of his/her time providing independent evaluation and treatment of patients in area assigned at our Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC). Duties assignments as an autonomous provider in an outpatient setting at our Fredericksburg CBOC. 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 under authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 without regard to the citizenship requirements of 38 U.S.C. 7402 or any other law prohibiting the employment of or payment of compensation to a person who is not a citizen of the United States. Candidates must meet all other requirements for the grade and position concerned. 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 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Grade Determinations: 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: Ability to coordinate workflow and clinical activities as well as monitor data reports within physical therapy section to ensure optimal patient care. Ability to articulate and communicate to the clinical team the assignment, project, problem to be solved, actionable events, and objectives, as well as to advise on work methods, practices and procedures. Ability to provide new staff orientation, staff development, and training. Demonstrates advanced skill to serve as mentor and coach of the clinical team. Ability to manage staffing requirements and priorities, and coordinate work in order to complete duties in an accurate and timely manner. This includes the ability to follow-up on pending issues and demonstrating an understanding of the impact of incomplete work. 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 ["VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws\nVA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY\nVA Careers - Prosthetics: https://youtube.com/embed/3NUvF5jjErQ\nVA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Assignment: The PT is responsible for the examination and treatment of patients referred for services as per the clinical direction of the Supervisor, Outpatient Physical Therapy Section. ii. May provide in-service and clinical training programs as assigned by the Section or Department Supervisors. iii. Takes an active role in Journal Club, where applicable. iv. Seeks educational opportunities to enhance the Physical Therapy Section, Department, PM&RS, Medical Center and VISN v. Establishes and maintains contact with other key staff involved in patient care via written, telephone, and personal communication as needed at the Medical Center and VISN level. vi. Develops and provides timely reports to the Section and/or Department Supervisors, when requested. vii. Maintains timely data input utilizing care plans, initial assessments and/or specialty protocols as part of an ongoing process in coordination with other key interdisciplinary staff to provide effective patient care. viii. Represents the CVHCS Physical Therapy Department and/or Section at various clinical and administrative meetings/rounds when indicated. Clinical Skills:\nEvaluates 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. Diagnoses include but not limited to the following:\n1. Geriatric Rehabilitation\n2. Musculoskeletal Disorders\n3. Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation\n4. Stroke and Head Injury\n5. Arthritis\n6. Spinal Cord Injury\n7. Chronic Pain\n8. Amputation\n9. Vestibular Rehabilitation\n10. Post-Surgical/Joint Replacement\n11. Assistive Technology\n12. Health Promotion\nii. 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. iii. 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. iv. Evaluates patient's need for assistive devices and trains patients in their use; evaluates device and makes recommendations for adjustment. v. 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. vi. Plans and implements appropriate patient education program involving patient and family when feasible; documents education in chart. vii. Attends interdisciplinary team meetings, advising team members of the patient's potential in relation to his functional ability. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 652-1200FA\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]