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Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Responsibilities Clinical Duties include but are not limited to the following: Demonstrates knowledge of contemporary physical therapy across multiple areas of practice. Provides guidance to staff therapists in applying current knowledge to the outpatient setting. Regularly reviews OPC PT programs to assure current methodology is incorporated in all clinics. Demonstrates ability to make autonomous clinical decisions in a Direct Access environment with consideration for local Scope of Practice guidelines. Reviews and screens patient's medical record for appropriateness of PT intervention, noting any potential risks or contraindications to treatment and to assist in guiding the evaluation process. Performs comprehensive evaluations and examinations of patients who have or may develop impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions related to conditions of the musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, pulmonary and/or integumentary systems. Interprets findings, selects appropriate tests and measures, and integrates findings into the PT plan of care. Establishes a diagnosis within the scope of physical therapy and identifies the appropriate rehabilitation intervention. Determines PT prognosis by incorporating examination findings with patient's preference in setting clinically appropriate treatment goals, optimize outcomes and maximize functional independence. Addresses rehabilitation potential, learning needs and patient response to education. Identifies barriers to learning and strategies to overcome them. Performs the full range of PT treatment procedures, modifying the treatment according to the patient's response to PT intervention. Recognizes adverse reactions to treatment and initiates immediate action. Modifies treatment plan according to patient response to best meet established goals. Documents progression and/or modifications according to Departmental and Medical Center Standards. Regularly discusses with physicians and other team members patient performance in PT, current status, and continuing goals. Works effectively with treatment team members and other health care providers in coordinating the patient's total care. Ensures appropriate patient referrals and discharge planning in concert with the multidisciplinary treatment team. Assesses patient for appropriate Durable Medical Equipment. Provides Physical Therapy care and consultation in the more complex cases and carries case load. Educational Duties include but are not limited to the following: Attends continuing education courses, conferences and in-services in the professional community and within the VA. Provides continuing education in the form of in-services and clinical training programs to rehabilitation staff on the subject matter of persistent pain management. Develops and/or maintains training programs to further advance the clinical knowledge and skills of primary, secondary and tertiary level physical therapists and physical therapy assistants. Administrative Duties include but are not limited to the following: Works autonomously in effectively supervising, directing and assigning work to OPC Physical Therapy Staff as well as providing general oversight to PT trainees and volunteers. Provides supervision of all clinical programs. Demonstrates knowledge of VHA human resource administration by performing the following functions: recruitment, interview and selection process, performance management including disciplinary actions, and monitoring clinical privileges. Develops and updates functional statements for positions under supervision. Develops and updates performance standards. Manages leave requests and ensures adequate clinic coverage. Signs timecards. Recommends and assists with the planning of new physical therapy programs and clinics. Develops and implements policies and procedures. Monitors departmental workload and clinic volume and generates reports to support current staffing levels and new staff requests. Assumes responsibility for all aspects of outpatient clinic management. Submits work orders for equipment repair, requests for replacement or new equipment, and clinic supplies. Resolves conflicts that interfere with the delivery of Physical Therapy services. Holds and attends staff and section meetings. Carries out other job-related activities and special assignments. Participates in PT quality improvement (QI) program by monitoring aspects of patient care and chart reviews. Submits budget requests and manages control point fund. Requests and manages registry contracts and assists contracting department. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 0800-1630 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. EDRP Authorized: Contact Susan.Bringel@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY Requirements 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: 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. 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. Grandfathering Provision. Does not apply to positions above the full performance level. Physical Requirements. You will undergo a pre-employment physical. English Language Proficiency: Physical Therapists appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English. GRADE REQUIREMENTS Creditable Experience Knowledge of Contemporary Professional Physical Therapy Practice. To be creditable, a candidate must have demonstrated possession of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with the scope of physical therapy practice. The candidate's experience may be evidenced by one or more of the following: Active professional practice. Active professional practice means paid/non-paid employment as a professional PT as defined by APTA or the appropriate licensing board. Experience gained after graduation but prior to licensure is creditable provided the candidate was utilized as a graduate PT and subsequently passed the licensure examination. Completion of a post-graduate fellowship or a post-graduate residency program may be substituted for creditable experience on a year for year basis. Quality of Experience. Experience is only creditable if it was post degree experience as a professional PT and is directly related to the duties to be performed. Qualifying experience must also be at a level comparable to or exceeding the professional PT experience at the next lower grade level. Grade Determination. GS- 13 Physical Therapist (Supervisory) Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level is required. Experience includes monitoring and assigning work; providing input on work performance; resolving daily workplace issues and maintaining efficient workflow; demonstrating advanced practice skills and judgment across many areas of physical therapy; providing clinical practice guidance to other staff; determining treatment options for complex patients with multiple conditions; ensuring work is completed by distributing and balancing workload among employees; assuring timely accomplishment of the assigned workload; and assessing the status, quality and progress of work. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following following KSAs: Knowledge of contemporary physical therapy across multiple areas of practice, and the demonstrated ability to apply this knowledge to provide clinical guidance to Staff PTs within the department. Knowledge of human resources administration, including such functions as the ability to interview and select qualified applicants, monitor and evaluate performance, and maintain effective labor management relations within scope of responsibility. Ability to effectively supervise, direct, and manage a diverse physical therapy staff. Skill in forging positive interpersonal relationships and conflict resolution. Ability to analyze clinically appropriate data effectively to optimize quality, performance, and productivity within the section. Ability to set priorities, delegate tasks, and solve problems in order to meet multiple deadlines and identify/address organizational problems. Ability to manage advocacy roles and planning activities within the VA and the greater rehabilitation community. References: VA Handbook 5005-99, Part II Appendix G12 Physical Demands: The onsite works involves standing and walking for about 70-80% of a normal workday. In addition, the physical therapist must be able to squat, kneel, push and pull, and lift loads from the ground and from above shoulder height. The physical demand level as defined by the Department of Labor is 'Medium' requiring the occasional lifting of 20-50 lbs, the frequent lifting of 10-25 lbs and the constant lifting of 10 lbs during the normal workday. Physical Therapy requires manual dexterity and coordination to use modalities such as TENS units, and to demonstrate the use of mobility equipment such as walkers and wheelchairs. In addition, physical therapists must be able to modify such equipment using tools. The telework component is sedentary in nature and will require the ability to remain stationery for long periods of time as well as set up, use/manipulate computer equipment and related accessories at an alternate work site. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.