Summary The staff physical therapist is an independent health care professional who is responsible for evaluating referred patients and establishing and executing treatment plans that include a full range of treatment procedures and modalities to restore individual patients to their highest possible functional level and to enhance their adaptive capacities through the use of physical measures, activities, prostheses, or assistive devices. This vacancy is located at the Worcester CBOC . Responsibilities VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY The different aspects of the role of Physical Therapist include Clinical, Educational and Professional/Administrative. The duties of this occupation include but are not limited to the following: 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. Consultation with more experienced therapists on very complex patients is expected and appropriate. Documents treatment progression and/or modifications according to departmental and Medical Center standards. 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. Recognizes adverse reaction to treatment and initiates effective action immediately. Independently develops and implements PT treatment programs including modifying programs as necessitated by changes in the patient's medical condition. Develops treatment programs for physical therapy assistants for appropriate patients and oversees their treatments. Participates as the PT representative on interdisciplinary teams Completes home evaluations as indicated to maintain safety and independence in the home setting. Supervises clinical operations as developed treatment plans are carried out by on the job trained PTAs and progression level physical therapy interns. Works in areas as assigned based on patient need (inpatient vs outpatient vs embedding in primary and urgent care) Works with vendors in attaining needed bracing and equipment to maximize functional outcomes. Provides orientation/training to medical staff to the physical therapy program. Keeps current of principles and techniques of physical therapy assessment and interventions through professional literature, in-service programs, and continuing education. Provides in-services and patient education programs as indicated. 5) Completes the annual training/education required by the facility as mandatory. 6) Attends continuing education training courses and does independent study, as required, to retain PM&RS clinical scope of practice as well as stay abreast of current best-practices. Participates in developing guidelines/protocols in treatment of various diagnoses and in developing new patient programs and evaluating existing programs. Maintains patient records and submits other data (i.e. FIM, billing/coding, MDS) as required by section, service, and medical center. Submits requests for expendable supplies, additional equipment, and maintenance items to the PT/OT supervisor. Ensures proper supply inventory levels are maintained for efficient clinical operations. May be requested to serve on service level committee or as a PM&RS Representative on a medical center committee. Participates in Rehab section and hospital Continuous Quality Improvement activities and utilization review activities. Work Schedule: Full time - Hours and schedule to be discussed at interview. Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Physical Therapist: F03637 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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 evaluation. 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. 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. Education and Experience: The individual must meet at least one of the requirements below: 1) Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. OR 2) Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. OR 3) 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. Grandfathering Provision: 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 DETERMINATION: GS-12 Physical Therapist (Full Performance Level) Education, Experience , KSA's and Licensure: Experience: In addition to the basic requirements for education, candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level, examples of this experience include but are not limited to : provide assessment and treatment intervention; plan and modify treatment based on a patient's response to intervention and/or change in medical condition; serve as the sole PT such as in an outpatient clinic ; provide oversight and delegate patient care responsibilities to a Physical Therapist Assistant, and/or delegate non-patient care duties to non-licensed staff. Licensure: Must hold a valid unrestricted state license. Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities: Must demonstrate all the KSAs below: 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. Preferred Experience: Inpatient and Outpatient experience in the field of Physical Therapy. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Appendix 12 Physical Therapy Qualification Standard 0633 Veterans Health Administration. Promotion Potential: This vacancy is at the full performance level. Physical Requirements: See VA Handbook 5019. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Do not submit a diploma as it does not provide the details needed under the qualification standard. 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 applicant's 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.