Physical Therapist

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Augusta (GA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Physical Therapist at the VA Augusta Health Care System in Augusta, GA.

The PT will evaluate and treat Veterans with diverse conditions related to spinal cord injury and disease, operating within the Therapy department/SCI Service line. Requirements include CAPTE-accredited degree, licensure in good standing, and ability to work independently with supervision of PTAs and students.

Qualifications

• US Citizenship as required by VA policy.
• English language proficiency for direct patient care.
• Possess one of: BPT with 5 years of independent PT experience; or MPT with 2 years of independent PT experience; or DPT.
• CAPTE-accredited program graduate; licensure in good standing in any US state or territory or DC.
• Supervisory capability for PTAs and students.

Responsibilities

• Receive and interpret referrals for appropriateness and contraindications.
• Conduct independent PT evaluations with comprehensive assessments.
• Develop and implement treatment plans with patient, family, and caregiver involvement.
• Modify treatment plans based on re-evaluations and outcomes.
• Provide professional oversight of PTAs and supervise students on clinical affiliations.
• Maintain clinical documentation and ensure adherence to standards.

Skills

Autonomous clinical decisions

Independent evaluation & treatment

Ability to interpret examinations

Plan and modify treatment plans

Supervision of PTAs & students

Education

Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy

Master's degree in Physical Therapy

Doctorate in Physical Therapy

Job description

Summary

This position is located in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) - Southeast Network (VISN 7) - VA Augusta Health Care System (VAAHCS) in Augusta - Georgia located in the Therapy department/SCI Service line. The physical therapist (PT) has attained clinical competency to evaluate current levels of function for diverse patients with spinal cord injury and disease.

Qualifications

• 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
• (2) Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist (3) Doctorate degree in physical therapy
• NOTE: Prior to 1995 the terminal degree for PT's was either a bachelors or master's degree
• In 1995 CAPTE accredited all baccalaureate - master's - 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 (eliminating the baccalaureate degree)
• 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
• Licensure: Applicants 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
• 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 under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 (a)(1)(D) 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
• 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: In addition to the basic requirements for appointment - the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates
• GS-11 Physical Therapist (Entry)
• Education - Experience - and Licensure
• None beyond the basic requirements
• Assignment
• PTs at this level are responsible for providing assessment and treatment intervention
• PTs plan and modify treatment based on a patient's response to intervention and/or change in medical condition
• PTs at this level may be given general assignments in any physical therapy program area where advanced specialized knowledge is not required or may serve as the sole PT such as in an outpatient clinic
• Licensed PTs may provide oversight and delegate patient care responsibilities to a Physical Therapist Assistant - and/or delegate nonpatient care duties to non-licensed staff
• PTs that are not licensed must practice under the close supervision of a licensed PT GS-12 Physical Therapist (Full Performance Level)
• 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: 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 reference 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
• 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: This work requires some physical exertion such as prolonged periods of standing - bending - reaching - crouching - stooping - stretching - and lifting moderately heavy items such as manuals - record boxes - equipment or assisting patients
• See https://dvagov.sharepoint.com/sites/OCHCO/SitePages/D5019.aspx VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

Duties

• Major duties may include - but are not limited to: Receives and interprets consults: Reviews medical records to assess the appropriateness of referrals to Physical Therapy and checks for possible contraindications
• Conducts independent evaluations: Performs comprehensive Physical Therapy assessments - including medical history and various tests and measurements for Veterans
• Interprets both test results and medical record information - adapting tests as needed for complex disabilities or medical conditions
• Implements patient treatment plans: Uses evaluation data to develop thorough treatment plans and goals - actively involving patients - families - and caregivers in the goal-setting process
• Modifies treatment as needed: Updates treatment plans based on ongoing re-evaluation findings to meet both short- and long-term goals more effectively
• Applies professional knowledge: Demonstrates a thorough understanding of Physical Therapy theories and treatment applications through assessments and therapeutic or reconditioning procedures
• Responds to adverse reactions: Identifies adverse responses to treatment and takes immediate - effective action to address them
• Motivates and adapts interventions: Uses motivational techniques to encourage patient participation and adapts equipment and procedures to support a wide range of complex treatment activities
• Work Schedule: 24 hours - flexible over the week to include Sat 7:30-11:30 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 63011F - 63012F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized