Physical Therapist
The James E. Van Zandt VAMC is an integrated healthcare system comprised of one hospital in Altoona, PA and 5 community based outpatient clinics (CBOCs) within our 14 catchment counties. The Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) Physical Therapist provides examination, diagnosis, treatment, and management of musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular/pulmonary, and integumentary conditions, through both Physical Therapy Consults and Direct Access. Physical Therapist are state licensed providers who work as part of VA interdisciplinary teams including physical medicine and rehabilitation, primary care, pain management, whole health, other relevant medical and surgical specialties, and other relevant associated health disciplines. The PM&RS Physical Therapist provides care at the James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center Altoona Campus, as well as at the Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs), along with providing care and services in the outpatient, inpatient, community living center settings, and other medical center settings as needed. Additionally, staff can be used to provide services with Home Based Primary Care. The PM&RS Physical Therapist will work collaboratively with various other therapeutic modalities. These modalities may include, but not limited to, occupational therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic care, yoga, and tai chi. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services supports the national Whole Health Initiative Program. The full performance level of this position is GS-12. Duties for this position include, but are not limited to:
At the full performance level (GS-12), PTs are responsible for independently providing assessment and treatment interventions to inpatients and outpatients received through healthcare provider referrals and patient self-referrals. Guided by differential and movement diagnoses, PTs 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. PTs interpret findings from examination, diagnostic studies/medical tests and, during evaluation, select appropriate clinical tests and measures, and then integrate findings into the physical therapy plan of care for the full range of patient populations. PTs 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. They 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. Physical therapists select appropriate equipment needed to substitute for loss of function or to substitute for limited function of individuals they treat. Staff PTs at this level practice autonomously, making recommendations and referrals to other medical specialties/services as clinically indicated during ongoing assessment of patients under their care. The staff PT may also develop and provide individualized clinical training experiences for physical therapy students in facilities with established clinical experience rotations. PTs at this level may be given general assignments in any/all areas where physical therapy services are deemed necessary, and/or may serve as the sole PT at a less complex facility. Individuals may perform ancillary assignments as deemed appropriate given the needs of a facility on an occasional basis, where the amount of work is not substantial (less than 25% of the duty time). Work Schedule:
Monday - Friday, 8:
00 a.m. - 4:
30 p.m. Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required Travel:
Occasional travel to cover at other locations- less than 25% of the time BARGAINING UNIT POSITION 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. chapter 73 or 74, to serve in 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:
(1) Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist OR (2) Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist OR (3) Doctorate degree in physical therapy. 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. 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. 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. Must be attached to your application to receive credit. Grade Determinations:
In addition to the basic requirements for appointment, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates. GS-11 Physical Therapist (Entry Level) Education, Experience and Licensure:
None Beyond the basic requirements. Assignment:
PTs at this level are responsible for providing assessment and treatment intervention. PTs plan and modify treatment based on a patient's response to intervention and/or change in medical condition. PTs at this level may be given general assignments in any physical therapy program area where advanced specialized knowledge is not required or may serve as the sole PT such as in an outpatient clinic. Licensed PTs may provide oversight and delegate patient care responsibilities to a Physical Therapist Assistant, and/or delegate non-patient care duties to non-licensed staff. PTs that are not licensed must practice under the close supervision of a licensed PT. GS-12 Physical Therapist (Full Performance Level) 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:
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. Experience is only creditable if it was post degree experience as a professional PT and is directly related to the duties to be performed. To be creditable, a candidate must have demonstrated possession of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with the scope of physical therapy practice. Part-time experience is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time work week. For example, one week of full-time credit is equivalent to two weeks of part-time work. Preferred
Experience:
Minimum of 1 year of Outpatient Therapy setting experience, as well as, 1 year of experience with providing services through direct access. PTs in the federal system can provide evaluation and treatment through direct access without a consult. if the PT's state license requires an additional direct access license, for example in the case of Pennsylvania's PT license requirements, it is preferred that the PT will have that license as well. Both the regular license and direct access license (if required by the state) must be maintained, in order to comply with the state practice act and the requirement for that state where the PT license is maintained. References:
VA Handbook 5005/99 Part II Appendix G12 Physical Therapist Qualification Standard dated Feb. 7, 2018available at http:
//vaww.va.gov/OHRM/Directives-Handbooks/Documents/5005.pdf The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements:
The work is active, requiring frequent position changes. The position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, kneeling, and pushing, and moderate lifting with occasional heavy lifting during mobility and ADL training. The incumbent will be required to move frequently throughout the facility.
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
At the full performance level (GS-12), PTs are responsible for independently providing assessment and treatment interventions to inpatients and outpatients received through healthcare provider referrals and patient self-referrals. Guided by differential and movement diagnoses, PTs 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. PTs interpret findings from examination, diagnostic studies/medical tests and, during evaluation, select appropriate clinical tests and measures, and then integrate findings into the physical therapy plan of care for the full range of patient populations. PTs 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. They 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. Physical therapists select appropriate equipment needed to substitute for loss of function or to substitute for limited function of individuals they treat. Staff PTs at this level practice autonomously, making recommendations and referrals to other medical specialties/services as clinically indicated during ongoing assessment of patients under their care. The staff PT may also develop and provide individualized clinical training experiences for physical therapy students in facilities with established clinical experience rotations. PTs at this level may be given general assignments in any/all areas where physical therapy services are deemed necessary, and/or may serve as the sole PT at a less complex facility. Individuals may perform ancillary assignments as deemed appropriate given the needs of a facility on an occasional basis, where the amount of work is not substantial (less than 25% of the duty time). Work Schedule:
Monday - Friday, 8:
00 a.m. - 4:
30 p.m. Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required Travel:
Occasional travel to cover at other locations- less than 25% of the time BARGAINING UNIT POSITION 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. chapter 73 or 74, to serve in 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:
(1) Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist OR (2) Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist OR (3) Doctorate degree in physical therapy. 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. 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. 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. Must be attached to your application to receive credit. Grade Determinations:
In addition to the basic requirements for appointment, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates. GS-11 Physical Therapist (Entry Level) Education, Experience and Licensure:
None Beyond the basic requirements. Assignment:
PTs at this level are responsible for providing assessment and treatment intervention. PTs plan and modify treatment based on a patient's response to intervention and/or change in medical condition. PTs at this level may be given general assignments in any physical therapy program area where advanced specialized knowledge is not required or may serve as the sole PT such as in an outpatient clinic. Licensed PTs may provide oversight and delegate patient care responsibilities to a Physical Therapist Assistant, and/or delegate non-patient care duties to non-licensed staff. PTs that are not licensed must practice under the close supervision of a licensed PT. GS-12 Physical Therapist (Full Performance Level) 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:
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. Experience is only creditable if it was post degree experience as a professional PT and is directly related to the duties to be performed. To be creditable, a candidate must have demonstrated possession of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with the scope of physical therapy practice. Part-time experience is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time work week. For example, one week of full-time credit is equivalent to two weeks of part-time work. Preferred
Experience:
Minimum of 1 year of Outpatient Therapy setting experience, as well as, 1 year of experience with providing services through direct access. PTs in the federal system can provide evaluation and treatment through direct access without a consult. if the PT's state license requires an additional direct access license, for example in the case of Pennsylvania's PT license requirements, it is preferred that the PT will have that license as well. Both the regular license and direct access license (if required by the state) must be maintained, in order to comply with the state practice act and the requirement for that state where the PT license is maintained. References:
VA Handbook 5005/99 Part II Appendix G12 Physical Therapist Qualification Standard dated Feb. 7, 2018available at http:
//vaww.va.gov/OHRM/Directives-Handbooks/Documents/5005.pdf The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements:
The work is active, requiring frequent position changes. The position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, kneeling, and pushing, and moderate lifting with occasional heavy lifting during mobility and ADL training. The incumbent will be required to move frequently throughout the facility.
- Department:
0633 Physical Therapist - Salary Range:
$64,009 to $99,741 per year
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
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