Career Center

Summary

This is a Fee Basis Provider position. Fee basis appointments are temporary - excepted appointments of persons in professional and technical occupations under authority of Title 38 of the United States Code - specifically section 7405(a)(2). Fee basis appointments provide services on a facility's premises when health services are otherwise readily available - cost effective - based on services provided rather than on an hour or tour basis - and when determined to be cost effective to the agency.

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
• Education and experience
• The individual must meet at least one of the requirements below: (1) Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist
• (2) Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist
• (3) 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
• 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 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
• 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
• References: VA Handbook 5005/99 Part II Appendix G12 Dated February 7 - 2018.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12
• Physical Requirements: Work includes regular and demanding physical exertion in standing - bending - kneeling - reaching - gripping - and walking
• Moderate to heavy lifting is required to assist patients and operate equipment
• Sitting is required in meetings and for conducting administrative work
• Above average agility may be desirable in defending oneself (or others) against physical attack/abuse
• Work requires physical health - normal use of arms and legs - and good visual and auditory acuity
• Incumbent must be licensed to operate a motor vehicle.

Duties

• The Physical Therapist has the direct responsibility for physical therapy services in acute care - outpatient - and Community Living Center (CLC) as assigned
• In addition - the PT is also expected to provide patient care duties and develop and participate in specialized treatment programs
• The PT will provide these services to patients with a wide variety of multiple - complex illnesses and/or profound disabilities
• Major Duties: The PT independently completes a review/examination of patient data (including medical history) to develop a plan of care - assess patient's status - and ascertain patient's need for therapy services
• Interviews patients and caregivers to gather information for ongoing patient assessment
• Assesses goals - living skills - physical abilities - and related needs for each patient referred
• Evaluations include medical history - examination - results and interpretation of appropriate functional tests and measurements such as: range of motion - muscle testing - sensory/perceptual deficits - coordination - functional mobility - pain scales - appropriate self-report and performance-based outcome measures - and social/contextual factors/needs
• Tests are frequently complex and may need to be adapted because of multiple physical disabilities or present medical conditions
• Complex evaluations are conducted without consultation with other therapists
• Evaluations address rehabilitation potential - behavior - motor skills - and psychosocial development
• Barriers to learning are identified and strategies to overcome them developed and implemented to ensure accurate patient evaluation
• Develops a treatment plan directed toward achieving maximum level of functioning within the home or other setting - consulting with other PM&RS disciplines as indicated - and developing the plan in collaboration with the patient and caregiver
• Implements the treatment plan by: solving complex problems related to physical therapy
• providing direct patient care
• working with Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service to provide appropriate equipment/adaptive devices
• instructing and training the veteran and caregiver concerning exercises - activities of daily living - rehabilitation techniques - and equipment
• The PT may also recommend community referrals
• Performs ongoing assessment of patient's physical and functional status - revising treatment plan and goals as clinically indicated
• Adapts and modifies treatment plans - activities - and procedures to meet the needs of patients with complex disabilities
• Determines patient's ongoing need for services
• Identifies when patient's maximum level of function has been attained
• Determines when patients have attained established goals and uses independent judgment in termination of rehabilitation services
• Evaluates the need for additional services and uses professional judgment to initiate consultation with other professionals
• Performs initial and discharge FIM assessments on all acute patients with diagnosis of amputation - stroke - or TBI
• Clinical practice is expected to be congruent with evidence-based practice standards - established clinical practice guidelines - as well as current concepts as outlined by the APTA
• Coordinates/Interfaces with Others Coordinates intervention plans with other members of the treatment team
• Serves as content expert in assessing for and recommending complex specialized medical equipment related to physical therapy
• Participates in and presents patients' needs at Special Equipment Committee in accordance with VHA directives and medical center memorandum for specialty items
• Participates in professional and community activities
• Participates in the Performance Improvement Program - including completing assessment and documentation required by performance measures applicable to the PT's role
• Participates in interdisciplinary team conferences in person - by telephone - or through electronic mail exchanges
• Serves as a clinical instructor for affiliating physical therapy and physical therapy assistant students
• Attends and participates in PM&RS monthly meetings and other meetings as assigned
• Fee Basis Rate (Per Unit) Exam/Task/Service/Per Unit $5.00 CPT code (chart below) CPT Code Exam/Task/Service # of Units Total 97530 Therapeutic activities 3 $15.00 97164 Pt re-eval est plan care 6 $30.00 97163 Pt eval high complex 45 min 11 $55.00 97162 Pt eval mod complex 30 min 10 $50.00 97161 Pt eval low complex 20 min 9 $45.00 97140 Manual therapy 1/> regions 3 $15.00 97110 Therapeutic exercises 3 $15.00 Work Schedule: Mon-Wed-Fri 0745-1630 (times are patient care dependent) 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