Physical Therapist - San Diego, United States - VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION

Description

Summary

The SCI Physical Therapist (PT) position is located in the Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Service of VA San Diego Health Care System (VASDHS).

The SCI PT at this level is responsible for providing assessment and treatment intervention for patients with spinal cord injuries and disorders, who have a variety of deficits including complete or incomplete paralysis of upper and lower extremities and the associated problems which paralysis affects.

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


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
Foreign Graduates
Graduates of foreign physical therapy programs meet the requirements in subparagraph 3b if they have a full unrestricted and current license to practice physical therapy in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia

The Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT) is a non-profit organization created to assist the United States (U.S.) Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly INS) and U.

S

state licensing authorities by evaluating the credentials of Foreign Educated Physical Therapists (FEPTs) who wish to immigrate and work in the U.

S
Although the licensing of physical therapists in the U.S
is a right and responsibility of each jurisdiction, foreign educated individuals must undergo an educational credentials assessment for substantial equivalency to the first professional degree in the US
The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) is committed to protect the public and to provide leadership within the field and practice of physical therapy
FSBPT's Foreign Educated Standards Committee has developed standards that represent "best practices" in evaluation services
The Credentials Evaluation Standards were developed with input from the physical therapy credentialing agencies that are licensed to use FSBPT's Coursework Tool
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
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
GRADE REQUIREMENTS GS-11: Education, Experience, and Licensure
None beyond the basic requirements
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: 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

References:
VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G12, "Physical Therapist Qualification Standard"

Physical Requirements:
Performs work in a clinical area, various hospital wards, intensive care units, and patients' home/work environments
Work requires good physical and mental health, strength, coordination, balance, pushing, stooping, reaching, kneeling, bending, walking, handling of wheelchairs, and intermittent standing
Physical demands include heavy work, defined as lifting/carrying objects 35 pounds or less.

Duties

"The SCI Physical Therapist (PT) duties are as followed but not limited too: Patient Evaluation, Treatment, and Development - Knowledge of contemporary and evidence-based PT practice, which allow evaluation and treatment of the diversified population with Spinal Cord Injuries and Disorders (SCI/D); and determine their current functional level.

• Knowledge of a wide variety of physical therapy tests and measures including standardized and nonstandardized tests and instruments and evaluations to assess the patient's condition.
• Develops and implements individualized physical therapy treatments including progressive resistive exercises, passive and active range of motion, functional mobility training, postural training, transfer training, etc., for acute and chronic SCI/D patients.
• Recognizes and considers the various interacting medical and psychosocial variables, which affect the patient with SCI/D when preparing a treatment plan and motivate the patient to become an active participant in their rehabilitation process.
• Utilizes appropriate screening and evaluation techniques required to appropriately provide direct patient care.
• Knowledge of clinical signs and symptoms to make appropriate referrals for further medical attention/assessment as indicated.
• Monitors patient progress and modify treatments as necessary according to an ongoing evaluation process in order to optimize patient condition and allow patient to reach the goals established in conjunction with team.

Factors include medical and functional status, psychosocial variables, patient needs and goals, and available treatment modalities.

• Interprets clinician prescriptions and referrals.
• Functions as a member of a clinical interdisciplinary team to provide total health care delivery to the patient and continuity of care by informing the team of patient status, future goals, and equipment evaluations.

Participates in team conferences, inpatient ward rounds, patient planning meetings, initial, interim, and discharge conferences, and psychosocial rounds.

• Performs home evaluations, mobility evaluations, gait and transfer evaluations, Activities of Daily Living (ADL) evaluations, and equipment evaluations.

Work Schedule:
Monday - Friday, 7:30AM-4:00PM Telework:

Not Eligible Virtual:
This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#:
Physical Therapist (Spinal Cord Injury)/PD000000 Relocation/

Recruitment Incentives:

Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required"