Clarification from the agency

Current permanent employees of VAMC Lebanon, NECPAC, and employees of VISN4 Contracting, OI&T, CBOPC and Veterans Canteen Service located in Lebanon, PA

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The Physical Therapist (Lead) provides professional oversight and consultation for the staff therapists and acts as a liaison between the staff therapists and supervisor. This position coordinates workflow and clinical activities as well as monitors data reports within the physical therapy section to ensure optimal patient care. He/she is responsible to the triaging of physical therapy consults to ensure consults are handled in the most expeditious manner based on acuity of need. This can also include Aquatic PT, Chronic Pain PT and Women's Health PT consults. The Physical Therapist (Lead) also assists in the growth and development of the department and the profession through participation in educational activities. This position will be located within the Lebanon VAMC system but may have the possibility of various locations for work assignments within the Lebanon VAMC system and VA Community Clinics. Work assignments also include weekend and holiday coverage, on a rotational basis, per PM&RS policy.

Preferred Experience: : Must be a licensed physical therapist three years of progressively complex VA experience, and employed by the Lebanon VAMC system.

Major duties include, but may not be limited to:

• Patients are scheduled for evaluation in such a manner as to not negatively impact other clinical staff yet meet the patient's needs.
• Patient medical records are reviewed to assess appropriateness of physical therapy intervention, note any potential risks or contraindications to treatment and to assist in guiding the evaluation process.
• Evaluations include medical history, results and interpretation of appropriate functional tests and measurements such as: range of motion, muscle strength, sensory/perceptual deficits, coordination, functional mobility, pain scales, and social needs. Tests are frequently complex and may need to be adapted because of multiple physical disabilities or present medical conditions. Consultation with more experienced therapists on very complex patients is expected and appropriate.
• Evaluations address rehabilitation potential, behavior, motor skills, and psychosocial development at an age appropriate level. Barriers to learning are identified and strategies to overcome them developed and implemented to ensure accurate patient evaluation.
• Evaluation findings are used to develop and implement comprehensive patient treatment plans including objective, measurable goals, timelines for completion. These goals are developed in collaboration with the patient, family and/or other stake holder input and may include consultation with more experienced therapists.
• Modifies treatment plan according to patient response to best meet established goals. Documents treatment progression and/or modifications according to departmental and Medical Center standards.
• Demonstrates a full professional understanding of the theories or treatment of physical therapy and their proper application through the use of therapeutic physical rehabilitation and reconditioning procedures.
• Provides orientation/training to medical staff to the physical therapy program.
• Assists in the training of physical therapy students, providing feedback about student's progress and performance.
• Keeps current of principles and techniques of physical therapy assessment and interventions through professional literature, in-service programs and continuing education.
• Performs other duties as required.

Work Schedule: Selectee may keep their current tour of duty.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: 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: 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.
4. 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. The Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT) is a non-profit organization created to assist the United States (U.S.) Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly INS) and U.S. state licensing authorities by evaluating the credentials of Foreign Educated Physical Therapists (FEPTs) who wish to immigrate and work in the U.S. Although the licensing of physical therapists in the U.S. is a right and responsibility of each jurisdiction, foreign educated individuals must undergo an educational credentials assessment for substantial equivalency to the first professional degree in the US. The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) is committed to protect the public and to provide leadership within the field and practice of physical therapy. FSBPT's Foreign Educated Standards Committee has developed standards that represent "best practices" in evaluation services. The Credentials Evaluation Standards were developed with input from the physical therapy credentialing agencies that are licensed to use FSBPT's Coursework Tool.

• 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.
• 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

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).

Grandfathering Provision. All licensed PTs employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:

(1) Employees grandfathered into the GS-0633 occupational series as PTs may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation.
(2) PTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of this qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of this standard.
(3) PTs initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration, meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard and must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.
(4) If PTs who are grandfathered under this provision leave the occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation.

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

GS-12 (Above Full Performance Level)

Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs.

Preferred Experience: Three years of progressively complex experience

KSA's (Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities):

* Ability to coordinate workflow and clinical activities as well as monitor data reports within physical therapy section to ensure optimal patient care.
* Ability to articulate and communicate to the clinical team the assignment, project, problem to be solved, actionable events, and objectives, as well as to advise on work methods, practices and procedures.
* Ability to provide new staff orientation, staff development, and training.
* Demonstrates advanced skill to serve as mentor and coach of the clinical team.
* Ability to manage staffing requirements and priorities, and coordinate work in order to complete duties in an accurate and timely manner. This includes the ability to follow-up on pending issues and demonstrating an understanding of the impact of incomplete work.

References: VA HANDBOOK 5005, PART II, APPENDIX G12

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

Physical Requirements: Standing, walking, squatting, bending and sitting and changing from one position to another frequently throughout the day. Reaching, lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling: 1-10 pounds constantly, 10-25 pounds frequently, and 20-50 pounds occasionally. Pre-placement and periodic physical examinations are required for hybrid occupations to ensure workers are placed in positions where they can perform the essential functions of their job considering their physical, mental and emotional capacities, without endangering their health or the health of their co-workers.

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, resume, 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.