Summary

This position is located in the Outpatient Physical Therapy Department of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) at the Greater Los Angeles Health Care System in Ventura - CA - with support to outlying Community Based Outpatient Clinics.

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
• 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
• 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 ~OR~ Foreign Graduates: Graduates of foreign physical therapy programs meet the requirements above 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
• 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.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)
• All licensed PTs employed in VHA on the effective February 7 - 2018 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 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)
• GS-12 - 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~ Applicant must meet the knowledge - skills - and abilities listed below: 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
• References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/99 FEBRUARY 7 - 2018 PART II APPENDIX G12 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12
• Physical Requirements: The incumbent must demonstrate the ability to walk distances within the facility on a daily basis - and tolerate standing - repeated bending - reaching overhead - and pushing Veterans and objects for up to four hours a regular shift - prolonged sitting - and physically assist patients with moderate lifting and carrying of up to 15-44 pounds
• Safe handling and lifting techniques are to be used based on current policy of the facility in relation the Safe Patient Handling and Movement Program
• Preferred Experience: 2 years of Outpatient Physical Therapy Experience Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Duties

• Duties include but are not limited to: Responsible for the examination and treatment of patients referred to and/or independently/directly accessing Physical Therapy Services
• Develops and implements physical therapy patient education content - based on the most current evidenced based practice
• Provides in-service and clinical training programs as assigned by the Physical Therapy Supervisor and respective chain of command
• Designs - conducts - and evaluates educational experiences on physical therapy subject matter for staff members and seeks educational opportunities to enhance the Physical Therapy Department - PM&RS - and GLAVAHCS
• Establishes and maintains contact with other key staff involved in patient care via written - telephone - and personal communication on a regular basis at the GLA HCS - and VISN 22
• 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
• Represent the Physical Therapy Department and PM&RS at various clinical and administrative meetings/rounds at the discretion of the Physical Therapy Supervisor(s)
• Performs physical therapy evaluation and treatments - male and female - ages ranging from adult to geriatric - having a variety of disabilities
• These cases may be complex in nature with chronic and acute disease entities including but not limited to central nervous system disorder - joint diseases - circulatory and pulmonary diseases - diabetes mellitus - altered thought processes and multisystem disease combinations
• Has the ability to determine the most appropriate plan of care relative to the patient's diagnosis - age - developmental level and cultural needs
• Skills were obtained through formal education and are maintained by continuing education
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am to 4:00pm or 8:00am-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available 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 VA Careers - Physical Therapy
• For more information - please click on the following link: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY