Summary

This position is in the Geriatrics & Extended Care Service - Pain Clinic. The Active Pain Management (AMP) Physical Therapist (PT) position primary duties are to provide pain services as an integrated part of the Pain Clinic and in support of the Pain Management Team.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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
• 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
• Physical Requirements:
• 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
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• 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: GS-12 Physical Therapist (Full Performance Level) (a) 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 and demonstrate all the KSAs below: (b) Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities: 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
• Preferred Experience: Certification in chronic pain or completion of a pain fellowship program
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• 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 GS-12.

Duties

• The Physical Therapist will function in accordance with Federal law - Practice Act(s) associated with state licensure - the Standards of Practice for Physical Therapists and the Physical Therapy Code of Ethics published by the American Physical Therapy Association
• Clinical Spends at least 50% of clinical time providing AMP groups in VA Facility through virtual/telehealth modalities (e.g. - VVC) or in-person
• Evaluation and treatment are completed in a timely fashion
• chart review will allow the opportunity to assess appropriateness of the referral
• Consults are scheduled considering priority and frequency of care - and coordination of schedules with other members of the treatment team
• Utilizes evaluation data to plan and implement comprehensive patient treatment - involving patient in the goals setting and treatment processes as feasible
• Modifies treatment plan according to evaluative findings to meet short- and long-term goals
• Responsible for the application of behavioral strategies to recognize and address fear-avoidance presentations - as well as for adapting physical therapy approaches to patients presenting with a combination of severe mental and physical disabilities
• Assesses patient's learning needs - and plans and implements appropriate patient education programs - involving the patient - family - and significant others in the instructional process
• Administrative Participates in program development activities related to AMP - including data collection/management - policy development/adherence - and documentation
• Participates in multidisciplinary team meetings - as well as pain committee meetings - as indicated by Pain Clinic leadership - as well as section and service leadership
• Complies with national and local performance measures - including timely health care screening and completion of clinical reminders for all patients
• Complies with all electronic health record documentation procedures - including timeliness standards for documentation and proper patient check out procedures (e.g. - entering diagnostic and procedure codes)
• Using the computer system for storing and retrieving electronic documents and files - transmitting and receiving e-mail - activating printers - requesting leave - and accessing the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS)
• Research Provides clinical outcomes measures to all AMP participants as instructed and assists with ensuring that information is shared as indicated
• Develops and implements research projects - prepares grant proposals - in coordination with supervisors and team members
• Education Provides physical therapy focused guidance and consultation to staff
• Provides supervision - education and training to Medical Center trainees - including residents - students and interns/fellows
• Participates in intra- and interdepartmental committees - task forces - and projects - as requested by supervisors and/or Facility leadership
• Demonstrates ability to provide didactics/lectures to medical staff within the area of pain management - specifically pain-focused physical therapy interventions
• Safety and Environment Demonstrates awareness of safety hazards and takes appropriate corrective action
• Assists in the establishment of clinic and practice safety guidelines impacting all patients
• Adheres to infection control programs
• Assures the cleanliness - maintenance - repairs - and successful operation of all equipment - treatment areas - and operational supplies
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 40300-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.