Physical Therapist

<p>This Physical Therapy position includes services to the outpatient, in-patient and home environments of the Spinal Cord Injury Disorders patient population. The physical therapist is responsible for independently providing assessment and treatment interventions received through healthcare provider referrals and patient self-referrals to provide a customized and integrated plan of care to achieve the SCI Veteran individual goal-directed outcomes diagnoses.</p><h3>Major Duties</h3><p>Duties include but not limited to: Performs Patient Evaluations: Veterans are scheduled for evaluation considering caseload complexity and acuity of medical condition. Coordinates veteran schedule with other interdisciplinary team members. Guided by differential (screen for systemic diseases and medical conditions that can mimic neuromuscular and musculoskeletal problems) and movement (examine and evaluate the movement system -including diagnosis and prognosis- to provide a customized and integrated plan of care to achieve the individual's goal-directed outcomes) diagnoses. Perform 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 personal and environmental factors. Review of medical records to interpret findings from examination, diagnostic studies and/or medical tests. During evaluation select appropriate clinical tests and measures; then integrate findings into the physical therapy plan of care for the full range of patient populations, using relevant evidence-based data and norms. Establish a diagnosis within the scope of physical therapy and identify the appropriate intervention to treat and/or refer to another provider for further consultation when needed. Determine physical therapy prognosis by incorporating examination findings with the patient's preferences for meaningful level of function in order to set clinically appropriate treatment goals and optimize outcomes. Treatment Implementation: Evaluation findings are used to develop and implement comprehensive patient treatment plans including objective, measurable goals, timeliness for completion. These goals are developed in collaboration with the patient, family and/or stakeholder input. Modifies treatment plan according to patient response to treatment and towards meeting established goals. Documents treatment progression and/or modifications accordingly. Demonstrates a full professional understanding of selective therapeutic techniques and modalities related to disability being treated. May serve as a resource to other, less experience therapists. Develops Home Programs for patients as indicated at discharge. Instructs significant others in ways to assist patients to carry out home program and in the use of equipment and assistive devices issued. Collaborates with nursing and the interdisciplinary rehabilitation team to facilitate the operation of the ward/unit/clinic to meet common goals. Administrative functions include: Assist to receive and triage patient referrals/consults, patient self-referrals and adheres to consult compliance established guidelines and is knowledgeable of SCI services provided by PM&RS for appropriate veteran continuum of care. Participates in Process Improvement activities related to SCI (e.g. Cultural Transformation, Patient Centered Care, etc.), PM&R and VANTHCS. Participates in update of evaluation forms and protocols to adequately meet the requirements of the program and types of patients in the assigned clinical program. Delegates tasks/procedures to the appropriate support personnel to facilitate effective and efficient patient care. Reports all safety hazards and faulty equipment to Lead Therapist and/or Supervisor Program Manager. Education and Research: Conducts in-services for interdisciplinary team and other rehabilitation programs. Maintains current concepts and trends in Physical Therapy and evidence based medicine/rehabilitation practices through literature reviews, study of current research, clinical practice, and through attendance to continuing education courses, conferences and in-services. Student supervision: has a responsibility to the profession and VANTHCS to assist with the instruction of physical therapy (PT) and physical therapy assistant (PTA) students. Serves as Clinical Instructor for PT and PTA students as assigned.. Participates in developing and upgrading student training program content in clinical area. Participates in facility and/or service education projects. Develops patient education printed materials. Serves as a resource person to VANTHCS and the community in matters relating to Physical Therapy, the delivery of health care, and the needs of the veteran/military population. - Complies with mandatory training, annual, and continuing education hours as required by facility and Physical Therapy state board to maintain professional license and competency. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 53643-F, 53642-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized</p><h3>Requirements</h3>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. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. 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). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.<h3>Education</h3>IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. NOTE: If your school was accredited by Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education CAPTE at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the CAPTE website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.