This position is assigned to the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Services Department (PM&RS) within the Montana VA Health Care System (MTVAHCS). Primary responsibility of this position is direct patient care of patients referred and/or requiring Physical Therapy intervention. 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: 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. 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. Individuals who have or have had multiple licenses and had any such license revoked for professional misconduct, professional incompetency or substandard care, or who surrendered such license after receiving written notice of potential termination of such license by the state for professional misconduct, professional incompetence, or substandard care, are not eligible for appointment to the position unless such revoked or surrendered license is fully restored (38 U.S.C 7402(f)). Effective November 30, 1999, this is a requirement for employment. This requirement does not apply to licensed physical therapists on VA rolls as of November 30, 1999, provided the individual maintains a continuous appointment and is not disqualified for employment by any subsequent revocations or voluntary surrenders of State license, registration or certification Loss of Credential. A PT who fails to maintain the required license must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment. At the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may be reassigned to another occupation, if qualified, and if a placement opportunity exists. 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-11 Education, Experience, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. (NOTE: See exception to licensure requirement in subparagraph 3c above.) 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 demonstrate all the KSAs below: Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities: 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 to GS-12. 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. ["CLINICAL Evaluates and determines extent of disability and present level of functioning. Demonstrates proficient use of basic standardized testing equipment and tools. Performs and documents pertinent evaluation results, including client and/or family interview, observation, objective measurements, systems review and interpretation of findings, within time frames consistent with care settings or department policy. Chooses appropriate evaluation tools that are consistent with client diagnosis, history, and subjective complaints. Identifies patient's impairments, develops functional problem list, and incorporates into functional goals related to customer goals. Discusses evaluation results with patients and appropriate healthcare team clients and responds to questions appropriately. Progress towards all goals in consistently assessed, revised, and documented per department policy. Identifies signs and symptoms that substantially impact treatments and outcomes and takes appropriate action. Refers customers appropriately if the diagnosis is outside scope of expertise. Sets measurable and realistic short and/or long-term goals based on client's medical status, anticipated therapeutic outcome(s) and customer's input. Determines appropriate interventions necessary to reach goals & outcomes. Investigates living environment, where and when appropriate, for safety hazards & necessary modifications by discussion with appropriate caregiver or client. Interprets results, documents, observations and make recommendations to families, teachers, medical staff, nursing, social work, and other professionals. Develops a written plan of care prior to therapy treatments to include physical, psychosocial, environment & educational needs as they relate to therapy. Collaborates with the multidisciplinary team as appropriate. Adapts activity and/or equipment application according to customer's goals, tolerance, progress toward desired therapeutic outcome, and/or equipment function. Assesses effectiveness of current treatment program; modifies or discontinues treatment program as needed. Assures quality client care through proper utilization of staff and equipment. Periodically re-evaluates and modifies treatment plan and goals as indicated based on customer's medical status, response to treatment and anticipated therapeutic outcome(s). Communicates with customer, customer's family, or legal guardian and/or other caregivers (professional and non-professional) about the risks, purpose and benefits of the treatment/intervention and anticipated therapeutic outcome(s). Involves customer/family and interdisciplinary team in treatment planning. Follows established documentation policies & guidelines. Uses acceptable grammar, correct spelling and approved medical terminology and abbreviations according to department and policies. Identifies customers and caregiver goals and limitations, & modifies according to client and family response, as per random chart audit. Verifies and documents caregiver/caregiver's understanding of information. Recommend to families, teachers and other professionals the therapeutic approaches for physical therapy intervention. Discuss and demonstrate specific techniques for goal attainment. Acts as a liaison with other departments within the organization, is responsive to needs, follows up when appropriate, and updates and informs Supervisor as appropriate. Follows up on complaints by customer/staff to provide resolution in a timely manner. Performs other duties as assigned. EDUCATION Instructs client, family and/or caregiver in therapeutic activities (e.g. age appropriate activities). Instructs caregiver, family and/or caregivers in use of equipment. Provides for the orientation and training of staff, including competency development. Always attends mandatory in-services and/or makes arrangements with the appropriate supervisor for satisfactory compliance. Maintains current knowledge in present areas of responsibility (e.g. attends ongoing educational programs). Other duties as assigned to meet the needs of the Medical Center ADMINISTRATIVE Assists supervisor in the development and/or revision of policies and procedures, as requested. As appropriate, effectively handles administrative/shared responsibilities. Makes suggestions regarding purchase of new equipment and supplies when necessary. Evaluates day-to-day operational performance in relation to department objectives and established standards. Discusses and resolves employee relations issues according to established procedure. Ensures ongoing compliance with all regulatory standards. Other duties as assigned to meet the needs of the Medical Center Work Schedule: M-F, 800-1630 Functional Statement #:436-51800-A, 436-51801-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more"]

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