The VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System is recruiting for a Physical Therapist. The Physical Therapist will function in Spinal Cord Injury Service. BASIC REQUIREMENTS: (a) Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) (b) 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. Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. Doctorate degree in physical therapy. 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. (c) 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. GS-12 (Full Performance Level) Grade Determinations: Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, the incumbent must possess one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level: Experience at the GS-11 grade level may include: Providing assessment and treatment intervention. Planning and modifying treatment based on a patient's response. Providing oversight and delegating patient care responsibilities to a Physical Therapist Assistant, and/or non-patient care duties to non-licensed staff. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs. 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: Spinal Cord Injury Experience preferred References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G12. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11 and GS-12. Physical Requirements: Lifting (up to 35 pounds), moderate carrying (15-35 pounds), pushing, pulling, reaching above the shoulders, walking, standing, kneeling, repeated bending, use of arms and legs to climb, sitting, twisting, simple grasping and fine manipulation. ["Major duties include, but are not limited to the following: Evaluation and Treatment Receives patient's referral from appropriate physician/provider within NWIHCS. Demonstrates ability to make autonomous clinical decisions and adheres to the VA scheduling directive. Independently provides assessment/treatment interventions to inpatients received through referrals. Chart review routinely performed to assess appropriateness of referral and contraindications for evaluation/treatment. Evaluation includes medical history, results, and interpretation of appropriate tests and measurements performed; tests are frequently complex and adapted due to multiple physical disabilities or present medical condition. Guided by differential and movement diagnoses, the PT performs exams/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/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. Evaluative data is used to implement a comprehensive patient treatment plan that is based on current research, education and outcomes data. A physical therapy prognosis is identified. Establishes a diagnosis within the scope of physical therapy and identifies the appropriate rehab intervention, including referral to another provider for further consultation as clinically indicated. Demonstrates sound knowledge of clinical signs and symptoms needed to make appropriate referrals for further medical attention/assessment. Evaluates the patient's needs for assistive devices and procures these devices from the Prosthetic Department or works with Prosthetics to schedule the patient for the appropriate Prosthetics /Orthotics Clinic for prescription and fabrication. Determine and provide appropriate equipment needed to substitute for loss of function or to substitute for limited function. Treatment plans are routinely modified according to evaluative findings found during on-going assessments. Routinely employs unusual motivational techniques to enlist patient participation and adapts equipment/procedures to carry out full range of complex treatment activities. Education Provides and documents education appropriate to the disability being treated/goals to be achieved. Participates in continuing education programs. Provides in service training as requested. Assists in the orientation of new staff members/students. Independently provides clinical oversight of Physical Therapy Assistants as well as PTA students on clinical affiliations. Independently provides clinical oversight to PT students who are in Doctoral PT Programs. Discharge Planning Appropriately plans discharge and needs for continuing treatment. Coordinates discharge with patient, significant others, and appropriate members of the health care team. Consistently arranges patient's discharge equipment needs prior to discharge. Home program and/or instruction is consistently completed prior to discharge. Oral and Written Communication Routinely involves the patient, family and/or significant others and the appropriate members of the health care team in the treatment process by maintaining effective and customer sensitive communications. Adheres to policies/procedures for handling patient records and sensitive information. Written communication is consistently done in a timely fashion and in accordance with the guidelines/policy. Divisions with Long Term Care will support and utilize the MOS as specified. Consistently responds to patients, families/significant others, students, and members of the health care team in a prompt and courteous manner. Participates in meetings, conferences, in-services, ward rounds, or other opportunities to share information with the health care team and support seamless health care provision for our veterans. Maintain statistics/data and provide timely reports as requested. Accurately complete/process encounter forms or paperwork required to support billing and compliance issues. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
