Physical Therapist

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Visalia (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The VA Central California Health Care System, Visalia clinic, seeks a Physical Therapist to provide autonomous assessment and treatment within PM&R. You will serve as a subject matter expert, carrying out examinations and plans of care across patient populations.

Requires CAPTE-accredited education and a current, unrestricted US PT license. GS-12 level typically requires 1 year of experience at GS-11, with preferred outpatient exposure and some weekend/holiday coverage.

Qualifications

• US citizenship or eligibility per VA policy.
• CAPTE-accredited PT program degree required.
• Full, current, unrestricted PT license in the United States.
• One year of experience at GS-11 level or higher for GS-12.
• Preferred: outpatient experience; potential weekend/holiday coverage.
• Must meet physical requirements including lifting and transfers.

Responsibilities

• Provide autonomous assessment and treatment across the PM&R continuum.
• Serve as subject matter expert in physical therapy within the department.
• Perform examinations and develop plans of care for diverse patients.
• Oversee Physical Therapy Assistants and students on clinical affiliations.
• Refer to other providers when clinically indicated and document care.
• Meet physical requirements: walking, transfers, lifting up to 35 pounds.

Skills

Autonomous clinical decisions

Examinations and evaluations

Interpreting findings

Diagnosis within PT scope

Prognosis and goal setting

Oversight of PTAs and students

Education

CAPTE-accredited PT program

Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy

Master's degree in Physical Therapy

Doctorate in Physical Therapy

Job description

This position is located in the Physical Therapy Department within Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&R) at the VA Central California Health Care System, Visalia, CA clinic. 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 PM&R. The Physical Therapist is to carry out general duty assignments but primarily serves as subject matter expert in physical therapy.

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 : Applicants must meet one of the following requirements below possessing a degree from an approved program by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredited college or university.
  • A Bachelor's degree in physical therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist; OR
  • A Master's Degree in physical therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist; OR,
  • A doctorate degree in physical therapy
• 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 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 Experience: Applicants must possess one year of experience to the next lower grade at the GS-11 and hold a valid unrestricted state license.

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

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

1+ years Out-Patient experience. Background in acute care. Rotating Weekend/Holiday coverage for acute PT and short term rehab at VACCHCS-Fresno.

Reference

VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G12- Physical Therapist Qualification Standard.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.

Physical Requirements

The incumbent of the position will meet and maintain physical and drug test program requirements for the position as required. There will be periods of walking and ambulating patients, providing patient transfers, some lifting of 35 pounds and supporting patients.