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Prefer to experience at least one year of outpatient experience within the last five years.

Scope of Assigned Duties / General Skills:

• Responsible for the examination and treatment of patients referred to the Physical Therapy
• Department.
• Ability to make autonomous clinical decisions in a Direct Access environment that includes the ability to independently evaluate and treat patients who seek physical therapy services.
• Responsible for the management of the physical therapy plan of care when administered by a Physical Therapy Assistant.
• Maintains timely data input utilizing care plans, initial assessments and/or specialty protocols as part of an ongoing process in coordination with other key interdisciplinary staff to provide effective patient care.
• Assists with maintaining good clinic utilization by screening consults for appropriateness, educating patients about the importance of attending their scheduled appointments, and notifying the clerical staff when discharged or erroneous patients appear on the schedule.
• Provides in-service as assigned by the Supervisor, Physical Therapy Department.
• Seeks educational opportunities to enhance the Physical Therapy Department, PM&RS Service, and Ambulatory Care Center.
• Establishes and maintains contact with other key staff involved in patient care via written, telephone, and personal communication on a regular basis at the VAACC and VISN level.
• Develops and provides timely reports to the Supervisor, Physical Therapy Department.
• Represents the Physical Therapy Department and PM&RS Service at various clinical and
• administrative meetings/ rounds at the discretion of the Supervisor, Physical Therapy Department. The Physical Therapist will complete any other duties as assigned by the Supervisor.

Clinical Skills: Conducts comprehensive patient examinations to identify rehabilitation problems and establish treatment goals. Develops and implements treatment plans designed to meet established goals.
Evaluates patient response to treatment and modifies the treatment plan to provide optimum outcome.
Directs the care provided by the PTA for the evaluated patients.

The PT performs examination, treatment planning and intervention, and documentation as needed for support personnel.

The PT instructs patients and caregiver in the safe use of Durable Medical Equipment, Assistive Devices, and other maintenance modalities intended for home use. The PT can work with patients from a wide range of ages and backgrounds.

The PT demonstrates competence in the examination and treatment of patients in the following areas:

• Geriatric Rehabilitation
• Musculoskeletal Disorders
• Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation
• Stroke and Head Injury
• Arthritis
• Spinal Cord Injury
• Chronic Pain
• Amputation
• Post Surgical/Joint Replacement
• Assistive Technology
• Health Promotion

Additional requirements are Documentation Skills, Communication Skills, Continuing Education and Professional Development, Administrative Functions, Environmental Functions and Supervisory Controls related to the position.

Qualifications Requirements: The minimum qualifications for assignment as Physical Therapist at this grade level. Please also refer to VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-12.

Work Schedule: 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM Monday Wednesday Thursday and Friday
Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not Authorized.
Telework Eligible: Not Authorized
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement Title: Physical Therapist PMRS/CBSR-12446748-24-JD.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by 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.
• Must possess a valid driver's license.
• 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.
• Applicants must possess one of the following:
  • Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist.
  • Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist.
  • Doctorate degree in physical therapy.
• License
  • 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.

Preferred Experience:

• Two years of successful therapy practice in the field of home health care
• four years of inpatient medical experience

GS-12: In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level and hold a valid unrestricted state license. Examples of experience equivalent to GS-11 are as follows: 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; and 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.
References: VA Handbook 5005/99, Part II, Appendix G12

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: Physically be able to perform heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over. Must have the use of: fingers, both hands required, both legs required (to include one prosthetic), vision as needed for driver's license, hearing (aid permitted), and mental and emotional stability. Employee must be able to perform reaching above shoulder, walking (up to 8 hrs.), standing (up to 8 hrs.). Must be able to negotiate multiple flights of steps while carrying a treatment bag.

VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana and Michigan (VISN 10) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

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.