Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist)

Summary

The GS-13 Physical Therapist is assigned to provide professional Physical Therapy services to any/all program areas that are covered by the Rehabilitation Services, including acute care, rehabilitation, long term care, home care, inpatient and outpatient settings. Incumbent is a treatment specialist in Orthopedic Rehabilitation

Duties

Serves as a consultant for all health care providers regarding Orthopedic Physical Therapy and rehabilitation. Educates/orients students, nurses, and other clinical staff regarding PT in general and specifically, as it relates to Orthopedic mgmt. Mentors therapy staff. Reviews and updates Orthopedic protocols, policy, and program at the VASTLHCS. Provides evaluations and treatments that are in alignment with up-to-date clinical practice guidelines and treatment for Orthopedic care that are evidence based. Plans, implements, and reports on performance improvement activities related to Physical Therapy services. Serves as subject matter expert (SME) for Orthopedic modalities and equipment, as it relates to Orthopedic mgmt. Collaborates with local, and regional universities, in the area of Orthopedic PT rehabilitation. Performs complex Physical therapy evaluation and treatment for male and female patients aged 20-85+ years old. Utilizes standardized, and non-standardized assessments, and compiles overall Occupational Health Information, concerning patient's social, physical, psychological and vocation status to determine a patient-centric treatment plan, based on current PT theory, research and practice. Plans and carries out the full range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities where therapeutic objectives are complex, and procedures involved require the application of specialized skills and knowledge in the area of Orthopedic . PT. Adapts and applies treatment procedures with critical concern for patients who are acutely ill, or who have a combination of severe mental/emotional or physical disabilities. Treatment will be provided on the ward, in the facility and in the community as appropriate for the patient's needs. These skills and interventions will be based on current occupational therapy theory, research, and practice. Assesses for and requests prosthetic/orthotic equipment as needed and can make modifications as necessary. Makes recommendations and referral to other medical specialties/services as needs are identified during ongoing assessment of this complex patient population. Assists in the scheduling of patients according to the occupational therapy treatment plan while coordinating with the treatment plans of other disciplines within the team and facility. Maintains a flexibility of schedule to allow for unscheduled patients, patient/team consultation and mentoring. Maintains consistent and timely documentation of patient encounters in the electronic medical record in accordance with accepted PT practice, facility and Rehabilitation Service policies and procedures. Assists in the care of patients other than those of the specialized area Orthopedic rehab as caseload permits, or as the needs of the department dictate. Maintains a workload and productivity consistent with the standards established by the Physical Therapy Section and the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service. Fosters an environment that supports hope, be committed to eliminating barriers to the recovery, utilize ICARE values in the recovery process.\ Develops and provides individualized clinical training experience for Physical Therapy students. Attends PM&RS in-services as well as hospital-wide in-services. Attends and completes mandatory in-service training as required by VA, PM&R, and PT policies. Provides necessary guidance, direction, and supervision to occupational therapy students, volunteers, and/or CWT workers assigned to the PM&R clinic. Specialist that participates as a PT Residency Mentor or Coordinator will work with the PT Residency Director and PT Supervisor and are required to maintain VA and ABPTFRE guidelines. Incumbent is responsible for over-seeing the day-to day operation of the clinic area to which assigned. Compiles and submits statistical data, reports and quality assurance findings to document program effectiveness, caseload, and attendance. Assists in the maintenance of the clinic and exhibits good safety practices following proper safety policies and procedures per VA, Joint Commission, CARF, OSHA, etc. for infection control, equipment etc. Participates in quality assurance projects and completes reports as required on patient treatment. Participates in quarterly occupational therapy peer review process. Participates in or coordinates program development for special programs Aware of safety concerns, regulations, policies, and procedures, and employs appropriate safety practices. Attends/participates IDT, as an active PT member of the Orthopedic team. Maintains adequate supplies, materials, and equipment for anticipated treatment needs, in line with budget. Work Schedule: Tuesday-Saturday rotating holidays - Saturday is Acute care Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Qualifications

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. Degree. Graduate from a degree program in physical therapy from an approved college or university approved by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). 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) Web site, or at their office address: American Physical Therapy Association, 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314-1488,703-68 4-2782, or 800-999-2782. (NOTE: Effective, January 1, 2002, CAPTE changed its scope of accrediting activities of PT education programs to include only those programs that culminate in post-baccalaureate degrees). Foreign Graduates. Graduates of foreign physical therapy programs meet the requirements in subparagraph 2b if they have a full unrestricted and current license to practice physical therapy in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. Any PT who has, or has ever had, any license(s) revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with regulations issued by the Under Secretary for Health or designee. 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. See Chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Licensure: Current, full, active, and unrestricted license to practice physical therapy in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) 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 not-to-exceed two years under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405(c)(2). Non-licensed individuals appointed as a temporary graduate PT may not be appointed as a PT without being fully licensed. Note: A PT who fails to maintain the required licensure must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. At the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may be reassigned to another occupation for which he/she qualifies if a placement opportunity exists. A PT who has, or has ever had, his/her PT license revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limite