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The Albuquerque, NM VA Healthcare System is recruiting for one Physical Therapist to work in Geriatrics and Extended Care (GEC), Home Based Primary Care, Farmington, New Mexico location. The physical therapist uses standard and non-standard methods for the evaluation of patient's functional status. As independent practitioners, licensed physical therapists embrace evidenced based practices standards in diagnosis, examination, management, intervention, treatment and outcome measurement. 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. The individual must meet at least one of the requirements below and be a graduate of a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredited college or university.: 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. Individuals must 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. 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 (Full Performance Level) 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 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. Assignment. At the full performance level, PTs are responsible for independently providing assessment and treatment interventions to inpatients and outpatients received through healthcare provider referrals and patient self-referrals. Guided by differential and movement diagnoses, PTs perform 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 personal and environmental factors. PTs interpret findings from examination, diagnostic studies/medical tests and, during evaluation, select appropriate clinical tests and measures, and then integrate findings into the physical therapy plan of care for the full range of patient populations. PTs establish a diagnosis within the scope of physical therapy and identify the appropriate intervention to treat and/or refer to another provider for further consultation when needed. They determine physical therapy prognosis by incorporating examination findings with the patient's preferences for meaningful level of function in order to set clinically appropriate treatment goals and optimize outcomes. Physical therapists select appropriate equipment needed to substitute for loss of function or to substitute for limited function of individuals they treat. Staff PTs at this level practice autonomously, making recommendations and referrals to other medical specialties/services as clinically indicated during ongoing assessment of patients under their care. The staff PT may also develop and provide individualized clinical training experiences for physical therapy students in facilities with established clinical experience rotations. PTs at this level may be given general assignments in any/all areas where physical therapy services are deemed necessary, and/or may serve as the sole PT at a less complex facility. Individuals may perform ancillary assignments as deemed appropriate given the needs of a facility on an occasional basis, where the amount of work is not substantial (less than 25% of the duty time). References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G12, Physical Therapist Qualification Standard Physical Requirements: Pre-placement and periodic physical examinations are required for hybrid occupations to ensure workers are placed in positions where they can perform the essential functions of their job considering their physical, mental and emotional capacities, without endangering their health or the health of their co-workers. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. ["Licensed physical therapist collaborates across the continuum of care. They ensure that services are coordinated, including ordering studies of value and being consumer-centered by referring, co-managing, engaging consultants, and independently supervising care. Interprets a wide variety of patient functional levels and provides individualized progressive treatment for patients with complex disabilities. The major duties and responsibilities of a Physical Therapist includes but are not limited to: A. Clinical a) Independently develop, implement, and evaluate therapeutic and palliative rehabilitative programs to include restorative care, massage therapy and holistic modalities. b) Independently evaluates patients of HBPC regarding Physical Therapy needs, and implements appropriate treatment regimens within the framework of HBPC c) Independently uses standard and nonstandard methods for identifying potential problems and a baseline level of function. d) Independently develops and executes appropriate treatment plans and goals, including rehabilitative, restorative and maintenance interventions.to increase patient safety and level of independence. e) Develop interdisciplinary plan of care directed toward achieving maximum level of functioning and palliation, consulting with other disciplines as indicated, and developing the care plan in collaboration with the treatment team, patient, and caregiver. f) Initiates the treatment plan by providing direct patient therapy care as ordered by a physician and procuring necessary equipment/adaptive devices; instructing and training the patient and caregiver concerning exercises, activities of daily living, rehabilitation techniques, and equipment/adaptive devices; and recommending community referrals. g) Independently performs a full range of PT treatment modalities such as but not limited to therapeutic exercise, ambulation, ROM exercises, holistic modalities, neuromuscular facilitation, perceptual motor integration and providing patient/family education regarding disability, adaptations, and exercises. h) Reassesses and independently solves problems relating to rehabilitation therapy, adapting, and modifying treatment plans according to the patient's response to PT intervention and pre-existing medical conditions. i) Monitors patient's tolerance for therapeutic procedures, including tolerance for prescribed adaptive equipment.' Recognizes unanticipated rates of progress, significantly altered physical/mental status of patient or undesirable secondary effects of treatment. j) Electronically document veterans' goals, progress, discharge plans, interdisciplinary communications, and any other pertinent information necessary for successful treatment of the veteran. B. Oral and Written Communication a) Develop and coordinate educational materials for the caregiver and/or Veteran as indicated by the therapists' assessment and regulatory standards. b) Abide by VA and HIPPA patient confidentiality regulations In documentation, consultation, and release of information. C. Educational a) Hold a current licensure as a Physical Therapist. b) Strive to stay abreast of revisions in laws and rules governing rehabilitation therapy. c) Increases knowledge and skills by attending seminars, workshops, lectures and in-services, particularly in the field of geriatrics and home-based physical therapy. d) Orients patient, physicians, allied health professionals, students, volunteers, and community representatives to the purpose and function of physical therapy, in the HBPC environment. e) Provides in-services and clinical training programs to nursing personnel, physicians, and allied health professionals. Serves as a mentor to other therapists in this area. f) Serve as a mentor to students, volunteers, and other VA staff. Serve as a resource person to the NMVAHCS staff, g) Participate in policy and procedure development for GEC/HBPC at the NMVAHCS. D. Administrative a) Maintains and submits in a timely manner required reports. b) Understands and adheres to policies and procedures in work areas assigned. c) Employee works independently. He/she Is responsible for the physical therapy program and clinics to which he/she Is assigned and confers with their supervisor at periodic intervals to keeping him/her Informed of problem cases, workload and progress reports. d) Notes must be completed within required time frames per service-specific policies. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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