Clarification from the agency

The area of consideration will be referred in the following order: 1. Current permanent VA Puget Sound HCS facility employees. 2. Current permanent Agency (Department of Veterans Affairs) employees.

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Physical Therapist functions as part of the Geriatrics and Extended Care (GEC) multidisciplinary team to improve the provision of clinical care and permanent supportive housing services for aging and disabled homeless Veterans. The GEC team will provide high-quality care to Veterans in the HUD-VASH Program, who are aging and/or living with complex medical needs to support Veterans in living as independently as possible with necessary supports. This may include working with Veterans with major mental health diagnoses, cognitive impairments, active substance use, and/or physical disabilities limiting independence in self­care and living skills. Will be expected to perform a large part of their work in community settings providing direct patient care.

• Independently performs highly specialized and diversified treatment procedures, with a focus on serving Aging and Disabled Veterans providing direct patient care in the community, Veterans home, and/or clinic as assigned.
• Uses advanced skills and knowledge of physical therapy theories and techniques to examine and evaluate patients as appropriate for their age and movement system diagnosis to determine current levels of functioning.
• Completes a preliminary review/examination of patient data to help determine functional strengths and limitations for population served, and develops/presents a patient profile to be used in assessing patient's status and ascertaining patient's need for therapy services.
• Based on evaluation findings, completes differential diagnosis process and in planning with the treatment team and patient/family, determines prognosis, and provides a customized and integrated plan of care to achieve the individual's goal-directed outcomes and eventual discharge plans.
• Plans and implements specialized treatment programs and applies physical therapy treatment to meet the individual rehabilitation goals. Incorporates Whole Health modalities as able to assist with interventions for medically complex Veterans where traditional services are not appropriate. These treatment interventions are conducted one on one with individuals, in group settings, and in the home setting.
• Interacts with the patient and family to explain therapy procedures, discuss treatment plans and motivate veterans and family members to comply with indicated regimens and post-discharge activities.
• Assesses the need for and the patient's ability to use adaptive equipment including ambulatory assistive devices, manual wheelchairs, scooters, TENS units, etc. Orders the appropriate equipment, assembles, and issues it to patients. Educates and trains patient and family/caregivers.
• Incumbent continuously monitors, records, and re-evaluates patient performance and takes appropriate measures to sustain patient's condition during treatment and takes appropriate action when deviations in veteran's condition are recognized.
• Is understanding of patient difficulties with engagement in treatment and may not be motivated for treatment, have difficulty adjusting to their disability, resist change and may lack insight into their disability.
• Is an active participant in the treatment planning process with other disciplines, assisting in the development of a comprehensive specialized treatment plan that includes long- and short-term goals. Participates in family and multidisciplinary team meetings to identify patient's needs, report on patient's goals and progress and to assist in planning patient's treatment program.
• When dealing with patients who have a combination of physical and psychological problems, the physical therapist must be able to manage, de-escalate, and defuse disruptive behavior which can occur. Incumbent must be able to assess for self-harm and suicidality and is expected to complete Columbia - Suicide Severity Rating Scale Screener (C-SSRS Screener) when clinically indicated.
• Participates in discharge planning with other disciplines and will be responsible for ensuring that discharge plans are executed.
• Provides support and guidance for CHOS social workers and case managers; consults with PTs in other clinical specialties across the medical center. The CHOS PT educates staff and students regarding the Physical Therapy needs of Veterans experiencing homelessness or were formerly homeless. Assists in coverage for other programs within CHOS or Social Work Service as needed.

Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM
Telework: AD-HOC
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 have an unrestricted State Driver's License.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Must be cleared (upon hire) by Occupational Health to drive a government vehicle.
• 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

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

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:
  • 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: 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. 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.
• Licensure: Individuals 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.
  • Loss of Licensure or Credential: A PT who fails to maintain the required license must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment. At the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may be reassigned to another occupation, if qualified, and if a placement opportunity exists.
• 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).

Grade Determinations:

Physical Therapist, GS-13

Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level and one of the following:

• Evidence of a minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice directly in the specialty area. This time must be between the past two and five years; OR
• Board Certification in the specialty area recognized by the ABPTS; OR
• Completion of a fellowship program; OR
• An additional advanced degree in a related field.

*In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the all following KSAs:

1. Advanced knowledge and expert skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in a specialized treatment area of physical therapy.
2. Ability to serve as a consultant and subject matter expert for health care providers regarding the delivery of care within a specialized content area of physical therapy.
3. Ability to teach and mentor medical center staff in a specialized content area of physical therapy.
4. Ability to guide the work of a multi-disciplinary team in a specialized content area of physical therapy.
5. Advanced knowledge and expert skill to perform and interpret specialized procedures and tests in evaluating the treatment outcomes in the assigned specialty content area.

Assignment: For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and variety. Clinical Specialists spend at least 25% or greater of their time working with specialized population(s) within their department. Physical therapists at this level perform assignments in specialty areas such as geriatrics, neurology, cardiopulmonary, orthopedics, spinal cord injury, amputee, wound care, chronic pain, electromyography, women's health or pelvic health, polytrauma, brain injury, lymphedema, vestibular, assistive technology, seating and mobility. The individual is assigned responsibility for serving as the subject matter expert in the content specialty area and as a consultant to physical therapy and other medical center staff in evaluating and treating patients in the specialty area. Clinical Specialists have advanced knowledge and demonstrate expert clinical practice skills in providing assessment and treatment interventions across the continuum of care. He/she utilizes advanced knowledge and expertise to modify treatment plans and to identify therapeutic activity interventions based on the changing needs, goals and performance of patients. Clinical Specialists have advanced training in specialized technology related to their area of practice. He/she establishes and maintains contact with other health care providers involved in patient care via written, telephone, and personal communication on a regular basis. He/she exercises expert professional judgment to establish appropriate discharge planning recommendations to ensure safe discharge from inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation programs. If the medical center has a PT residency program, the clinical specialist may be on faculty for the program.

Preferred Experience: Experience working with aging and geriatric patients preferred.

References: VA Handbook 5005/99 Part II Appendix G12

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13

Physical Requirements:Physical requirements for this position are: moderate lifting (15-45 lb.), moderate carrying (15-44 lb.), pushing, operation of motor vehicle, ability to distinguish basic colors and hearing (aid may be permitted).
The environmental factors include working outside and inside, working closely with others and working alone.

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.