Clarification from the agency

Status Candidates - current, permanent Dayton Medical Center employees; current, permanent VA employees; current, permanent Federal employees, former Federal employees with reinstatement rights, VEOA and VRA eligible; 30% or more service connected disabled Veteransm SchedualA, and certain military spouses. First area of consideration to be given to current, permanent Dayton Medical Center employees.

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Home Care Physical Therapist Is viewed as a clinician, whose skills are well beyond entry-level competence, demonstrating the ability to perform with a high degree of Home Care Physical Therapy. Some of the duties include but are not limited to:

• Autonomy in patient care and exercising independent problem-solving skills. As such, the incumbent serves as a resource for interdisciplinary staff.
• Provides training to clinical staff on new techniques and equipment that will assist in the evaluation of the home bound patient.
• Networks with primary care physicians, home based primary care clinicians and peers on the coordination and care of patients within the home-based environment.
• Assists and supports the home based primary care program by provision of clinical expertise in the area of Physical Therapy. Is able to work independently in the home solving complex problems relating to Physical Therapy, adapting and modifying the treatment plans, activities, and procedures to meet the needs of the patient with varying degrees of disabilities.
• Attends multi-disciplinary rounds with the home-based primary care team providing input on patient care and Falls Risk Assessment.
• Schedules and completes comprehensive evaluations on patients referred through the program.
• Screens patients for appropriate patient care treatments.
• Screens for contraindications for specific levels of patient care.
• Provides explanation and completed evaluations to the referring specialty with recommendations based on outcomes of the evaluation.
• Documentation is timely, thorough, and concise explaining the outcomes and findings of the assessment.
• Serves as mentor to students in the evaluation and treatment of the patient in Physical Therapy home based care.
• Provides patient education relevant to the subject matter.
• Is responsible for the maintenance of the specialty equipment used in the evaluation and care process. Works with HBPC Program Director on additional equipment needs for the program.
• Maintains education in the program area.
• Responsible for timely reports (including Quality Improvement) to the HBPC Program Director.
• Is responsible for safe operation of a government motor vehicle used in the transport to/from the patient's home.
• Demonstrates advanced competency in the use of cell phone and laptop communication.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Telework: Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 91500-0
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Not Required

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 examination.
• 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.
• Education AND Experience:
• Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist.
  • OR
• Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist.
  • OR
• 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.
• Foreign Graduates: Graduates of foreign physical therapy programs meet the requirements in subparagraph 3b if they have a full unrestricted and current license to practice physical therapy in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia.
• 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. 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. (MUST SUBMIT COPY OF LICENSURE WITH APPLICATION)
• English Language Proficiency: Individuals appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA must be proficient in written and spoken English.

Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

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, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates.

GS-12

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. Examples of experience at the GS-11 level are but not limited to: Physical Therapists (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 non-patient care duties to non-licensed staff. PTs that are not licensed must practice under the close supervision of a licensed PT.

Additionally, you will be rated on the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Please make sure that each is addressed in your application package.

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.

Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G12 Physical Therapist, Job Qualification Standard.

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-12 to GS-12.

Physical Requirements: Work includes regular and recurring physical exertion in standing, bending, kneeling, reaching, gripping, and walking. Moderate to heavy lifting is required to assist patients and operate equipment. Sitting is required in meetings and for conducting administrative work. Work may require physical stamina, normal use of arms and legs, and good visual and auditory acuity.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.