Physical Therapist - Augusta, United States - Defense Health Agency Civilian Corps, Falls Church, VA

Description

Overview

This position is in the Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center, Fort Eisenhower, Georgia.

Augusta is famous for its major attraction, The Masters Golf Tournament. Ft Eisenhower has a moderate year-round climate and offers proximity to metropolitan areas, beaches along the Atlantic Ocean and the Appalachian Mountains.

The Augusta area is a growing community with an excellent quality of life. A wide variety of cultural and outdoor recreational activities are readily available locally, and many more are easily accessible from the coast to the mountains. Augusta has a vibrant professional medical environment, including the Medical College of Georgia and other referral medical centers. The cost of living is quite reasonable, with quality homes at good prices.

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Responsibilities

As a Physical Therapist you will:

Performs a wide range of complex physical therapy duties requiring an advanced practical knowledge of physical therapy, evidence-based medicine and data collection. Responsibilities include providing evaluation and therapeutic interventions to a full range of wounded, ill, and injured service members with needs concerned with, but not limited to, physical rehabilitation, musculoskeletal extremity injury, spine complications and/or injuries, neurological injuries/impairments, pain, and concomitant behavioral health disorders. Utilizes evaluation techniques to determine patient's current functional level using standardized/clinically accepted measurement and evaluation tools, clinical observations, patient/staff interviews, and review of medical histories. The primary area of emphasis is on evaluation and treatment of all levels of acute and chronic neuromusculoskeletal conditions and accompanying sequelae. Provides technical supervision of, oversight of, and collaboration with the Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA).Develops and implements complex, goal-oriented treatment plans for patients presenting with a multiplicity of dysfunction and impairments in physical, functional and adaptive areas such as gait, functional daily activities, adaptive sports, reconditioning, physical readiness training, injury prevention, human performance optimization, pain impairments, and reintegration. Plans, coordinates, and implements goal-oriented group and/or focused individual PT treatment programs, selecting activities to increase or improve muscle strength, range of motion and coordination; teaches alternative or compensatory techniques for rehabilitation, reconditioning, and functional tasks regardless of physical, mental, and/or cognitive deficits.Applies the use of therapeutic modalities and new integrative techniques and technologies for the purpose of evaluation and ongoing treatment. Therapeutic modalities may consist of, but are not limited to, traditional physical agents such as air, water, electricity, sound, and radiant energy; therapeutic exercise; therapeutic massage; soft tissue mobilization; and manual therapy. Additional emerging technologies, such as acupuncture and/or other integrative medicine techniques may be utilized.Designs treatment plans to meet patient/clinical objectives to maximize restoration of physical and adaptive roles and functions. Incorporates psychosocial and environmental factors that contribute to the impact of injury or illness on daily functional capabilities. Utilizes physical performance measures to provide objective data and outcomes with activity/task performance. Designs, fabricates, or recommends adaptive equipment and/or orthotic devices to improve function.Provides patient/family education on the injury/disease process and its effect on function, joint protection, energy requirements, ergonomic needs, activity modification and progression of function or changes in impairments. Develops appropriate evaluation, treatment plans, and recommendations regarding physical requirements, reconditioning, function, fitness, and goals for retention in military (in the current or new Military Occupational Specialty [MOS]), or transitioning out of the military.Develops protocols and standard operating procedures (SOP) for PT programs. Serves as PT subject matter expert for designated program. Contributes input for program development and U.S. Army Medical Command (MEDCOM) guidance as needed to ensure program consistency and practice standardization across Army medicine.Incorporates evaluation, treatment methods, and research trends and patterns to develop procedures, criteria, and policies to meet the emerging needs of the complex patient population. Provides oversight to the PTA as required by the state practice and consistent with recommendations of American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). Develops performance plans, supervise and provide rating input on the technicians and PTA(s). Clinical educator for PT or PTA students. Provides education and consultation to patients and other providers including development of training programs. Documents service provision and ensure such documentation and deliveries of PT services are in accordance with practice standards established by The Joint Commission (TJC) and the facility.Serves as a member of various integrated, interdisciplinary/planning teams that plan, direct, coordinate, and evaluate individual care plans for and progress of patients participating in the program. Recommends patients for return to duty when appropriate and when rehabilitation is complete. Provides recommendations for continued treatment, home programs, reconditioning and provides guidance on physical health, functional and adaptive activities. Provides interdisciplinary consultation for PT-related aspects of care that integrates physical, cognitive, psychosocial, and functional aspects of rehabilitation to achieve optimal outcomes. Ensures collaboration, coordination, and communication among military chain of command, healthcare team, patient, families, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and other community agencies for soldiers returning to home and community environments.Masters new techniques and modality proficiency by studying current literature. Conducts required research activities contributing to the advancement of the body of knowledge for the profession. Attends lectures, meetings, and conferences providing subject matter expertise when required. Attends department and section meetings as directed. Identifies development and training needs of employees and advocates and/or arranges for needed development and training. Utilizes unique expertise to initiate and develop educational programs for specific groups and to facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration. Contributes to the marketing of physical therapy throughout the MTF and across Army medicine. Develops, implements, and maintains continuous quality improvement activities related to PT. As section administrator, incumbent may be responsible for the administrative management of the section including decisions concerning the delivery of care, contributing input to budgeting and staffing priorities, and coordinating resources throughout the community. Regulates the programs and practices of the clinic to the unique characteristics and needs of the local community.

Qualifications

US citizenship required

Must possess a current, active, full, and unrestricted license or registration as a Physical Therapist from a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States; and must have passed the National Physical Therapy Examination administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT).

A graduate (or higher level) degree that included a physical therapy curriculum approved by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or a professional accrediting organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained, and completion of the clinical requirements prescribed by the school.