Physical Therapist
Incumbent functions as a Physical Therapist in perpetual float status with planned and spontaneous assignments across all rehab areas within the VAPHS catchment area including outpatient, acute care, skilled nursing, Community Based Outpatient Care, in-home/in-community care, and Tele-Rehabilitation. The physical therapist who works at this level provides assessment and treatment intervention on an independent basis across the continuum of care and services provided by the Service. Duties include, but are not limited to:
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 including, but not limited to, Rehab Clinical Education Day, MyHome Functional Rehab Lab, Balance Center, functional capacity, hand therapy, edema/wound, pre-driver's screening, geriatric evaluations, spinal cord injury, amputee, and polytrauma, and/or may serve as the sole PT at a less complex facility. Therapist is responsible for his/her own professional development, keeping current with treatment techniques as well as an active and discipline-free license. The therapist is responsible for achieving a passing level for all competencies. Incumbent is expected to work weekend days on a rotational basis. Individuals may perform ancillary assignments, including program management duties on an occasional basis, where the complexity and amount of work is not substantial and less than 25% of the duty time. Clinical performance and productivity standard with regard to evaluation and/or treatment visits per scheduled workday or cumulative month is 80% productive. Compress and Telework Schedule:
Available Work Schedule:
Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5:
30 pm, Rotational Weekend and Holiday, occasional travel between all VAPHS sites Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required 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:
You must meet at least one of the requirements below NOTE:
Individuals must 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. Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. 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. 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. 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 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. 2. 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. 3. 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. 4. 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. 5. 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. 6. 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. References:
VA Handbook 5005/99, Park II, Appendix G12, Physical Therapist Qualifications Physical Requirements:
Standing, walking, squatting, bending, and sitting, and changing from one position to the other frequently throughout the day. Sitting at a desk and using upper extremities to reach, grasp and place papers, charts, computers, phones, and reference materials. Many of the patients are bariatric. Incumbent must employ safe lifting techniques including the use of mechanical devices and avoid awkward postures while working with the veterans. Reaching, lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling:
1-10 pounds constantly, 10-25 frequently, and 20-35 pounds occasionally. Specific examples include:
Picking up, carrying and placing folders, charts, books and binders. Setting up equipment for patients such as weights or durable medical equipment. Lifting and carrying adaptive equipment ranging in weight from negligible to 50 pounds. Pushing and rolling equipment such as walkers, wheelchairs and supply cans. Assisting patients in mobility such as ambulation and transfers, from minimal assistance to dependent transfers. Defending oneself from a confused, combative, or otherwise aggressive patient. Performing passive range of motion exercises that require the movement of patients' extremities in all planes of motion. Repositioning and transferring patients with manual and mechanical assistance. Operating all aspects of a computer & telecommunication- keyboard, mouse, control buttons, faxes, and telephones. Demonstrating the use of all aspects of adaptive equipment for patient teaching. Assembling equipment with the use of hand tools such as screwdrivers and pliers.
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
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 including, but not limited to, Rehab Clinical Education Day, MyHome Functional Rehab Lab, Balance Center, functional capacity, hand therapy, edema/wound, pre-driver's screening, geriatric evaluations, spinal cord injury, amputee, and polytrauma, and/or may serve as the sole PT at a less complex facility. Therapist is responsible for his/her own professional development, keeping current with treatment techniques as well as an active and discipline-free license. The therapist is responsible for achieving a passing level for all competencies. Incumbent is expected to work weekend days on a rotational basis. Individuals may perform ancillary assignments, including program management duties on an occasional basis, where the complexity and amount of work is not substantial and less than 25% of the duty time. Clinical performance and productivity standard with regard to evaluation and/or treatment visits per scheduled workday or cumulative month is 80% productive. Compress and Telework Schedule:
Available Work Schedule:
Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5:
30 pm, Rotational Weekend and Holiday, occasional travel between all VAPHS sites Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required 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:
You must meet at least one of the requirements below NOTE:
Individuals must 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. Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. 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. 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. 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 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. 2. 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. 3. 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. 4. 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. 5. 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. 6. 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. References:
VA Handbook 5005/99, Park II, Appendix G12, Physical Therapist Qualifications Physical Requirements:
Standing, walking, squatting, bending, and sitting, and changing from one position to the other frequently throughout the day. Sitting at a desk and using upper extremities to reach, grasp and place papers, charts, computers, phones, and reference materials. Many of the patients are bariatric. Incumbent must employ safe lifting techniques including the use of mechanical devices and avoid awkward postures while working with the veterans. Reaching, lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling:
1-10 pounds constantly, 10-25 frequently, and 20-35 pounds occasionally. Specific examples include:
Picking up, carrying and placing folders, charts, books and binders. Setting up equipment for patients such as weights or durable medical equipment. Lifting and carrying adaptive equipment ranging in weight from negligible to 50 pounds. Pushing and rolling equipment such as walkers, wheelchairs and supply cans. Assisting patients in mobility such as ambulation and transfers, from minimal assistance to dependent transfers. Defending oneself from a confused, combative, or otherwise aggressive patient. Performing passive range of motion exercises that require the movement of patients' extremities in all planes of motion. Repositioning and transferring patients with manual and mechanical assistance. Operating all aspects of a computer & telecommunication- keyboard, mouse, control buttons, faxes, and telephones. Demonstrating the use of all aspects of adaptive equipment for patient teaching. Assembling equipment with the use of hand tools such as screwdrivers and pliers.
- Department:
0633 Physical Therapist - Salary Range:
$79,003 to $102,709 per year
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
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