Physical Therapist

Summary The Dayton, Ohio Veterans Affairs Medical Centers Rehabilitation Service is recruiting for a well-qualified Physical Therapist. This Physical Therapist provides rehabilitative services, primarily working with patients with mobility impairments, secondary to orthopedic, neuromuscular, med-surgical diagnosis, etc., with the goal being to improve clients quality of life through improved functional mobility. This position is primarily located in Springfield, OH. Responsibilities GS-11:Responsible for providing assessment and treatment intervention. Plan and modify treatment based on patients response to intervention and/or change in medical condition. May be given general assignments in any physical therapy program area where advanced specialized knowledge is not required or may serve as sole PT such as in outpatient clinic. Licensed PTs may provide oversight and delegate patient care responsibilities to PTA, and/or delegate non- patient care duties to non-licensed staff. PTs that are not licensed must practice under close supervision of licensed PT. Duties include, but are not limited to: functioning as a new grad and/or with less than 1 year of experience. PTs at this level may be given general assignments in any physical therapy program are where advanced specialized knowledge is not required independently planning, developing, and implementing effective treatment protocols in the delivery of Physical Therapy for patients in an inpatient or outpatient rehab setting Independently solving problems related to contemporary physical therapy, adapting and modifying 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 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 evaluation and treatment of other referred patients Following referral/consult from a physician or other approved provider, reviewing medical record, and independently utilizing appropriate standard measures as well as evaluation techniques pertinent to diagnosis to determine functional deficits and best method to accomplish rehabilitation goals Independently developing, implementing and modifying treatment utilizing specialized interventions and strategies to achieve maximum function and independence Interpreting findings and educating patients and families about disease process, purpose of treatment, and patients rights and responsibilities documenting results of evaluations, patient treatment including patient/family education, and response to treatment providing appropriate treatment for disabilities according to protocols, physicians orders, and medical necessity consulting with referring providers and multidisciplinary team members supervising assigned trainees and interns conducting in-services and clinical training Maintaining current credentials to practice by participating in professional and continuing education courses as required participating in research programs as requested participating in all required DVAMC annual training reviewing and demonstrating knowledge of DVAMC, The Joint Commission, CARF, and APTA policies, directives, regulations, and guidelines Participating in Performance Improvement programs Serving on Professional Standards Boards Serving on committees or teams participating in Performance Improvement activities and Peer Review developing and tracking functional outcomes maintaining adequate supplies, materials, and equipment maintaining current CPR certification and any other requirements patient scheduling Demonstrating courtesy in all interactions GS-12:PTs are responsible for independently providing assessment/ treatment interventions to patients received through referrals. Perform examinations and evaluations of individuals who have /may develop impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions. Interpret findings and during evaluation select appropriate clinical tests and measures, integrate findings into physical therapy plan of care. Establish diagnosis within scope and identify appropriate intervention to treat and/or refer to another provider. Determine physical therapy prognosis by incorporating examination findings with patients preferences for meaningful level of function to set treatment goals/ optimize outcomes. Select appropriate equipment needed to substitute for loss/limited function of individuals. May also develop and provide individualized clinical training experiences for physical therapy students. May be given general assignments in any/all areas where physical therapy services are deemed necessary, and/or may serve as sole PT at a less complex facility. Duties include, but are not limited to, the duties of the GS-11 as well as: serving as consultant and resource person for other staff in regard to evaluation, treatment planning and provision of PT services for patients with variety of diagnoses evaluating work of subordinate staff and resolve problems Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 0800-1630 Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 91717-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized 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. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. 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. Qualifications 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: Bachelors degree in Physical Therapy AND five years of progressively independent experience as physical therapist. Masters degree in Physical Therapy AND two years of progressively independent experience as physical therapist. Doctorate degree in physical therapy. NOTE: Prior to 1995 the terminal degree for PTs was either bachelors or masters degree. In 1995 CAPTE accredited all baccalaureate, masters, 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. 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. (4) Foreign Graduates. Graduates of foreign physical therapy programs meet the requirements 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. 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 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. 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 PT 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. Grandfathering Provision. Please see How You Will Be Evaluated below for full information. English Language Proficiency. Individuals appointed to serve in direct patient-care capacity in VHA must be proficient in written and spoken English. Grade Determinations: Creditable Experience Knowledge of Contemporary Professional Physical Therapy Practice. To be creditable, a candidate must have demonstrated possession of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with the scope of physical therapy practice. The candidates experience may be evidenced by one or more of the following: (a) Active professional practice. Active professional practice means paid/non-paid employment as 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 graduate PT and subsequently passed licensure examination. (b) Completion of post-graduate fellowship or a post-graduate residency program may be substituted for creditable experience on year for year basis. 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-11 Physical Therapist (Entry) Education, Experience, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-12 Physical Therapist (Full Performance Level) 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: Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities: 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 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 physical therapy plan of care for full range of patient populations. Ability to establish diagnosis within the scope of physical therapy and identify 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 patients 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: Evidence of outpatient PT experience 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: 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. 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. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicants criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.