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Physical Therapist

Direct Jobs, Conroe, TX, United States


Summary
Provides outpatient Physical Therapy services at the Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) - mainly through referrals from the CBOC Patient Aligned Care Teams (PACT) - Rehabilitation and Extended Care Line providers - Operative Care Line and other approved providers. Independently offers Physical Therapy services to patients as needed or assigned - ensuring thorough - timely and high‑quality care for our Veterans.

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.

United States Citizenship: Non‑citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy

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

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

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

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

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

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 Physical Therapist (Entry) (a) Education – Experience – and Licensure

None beyond the basic requirements

GS‑12 Physical Therapist (Full Performance Level) (a) 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: (b) 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

Preferred Experience: The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in an outpatient setting and possess extensive knowledge in managing a variety of caseloads – including neurologic – orthopedic – and geriatric populations

The successful applicant will be comfortable conducting more than four evaluations per day and demonstrate exceptional patient care and clinical skills

Advanced certification in relevant specialties is a plus – but not required

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‑12

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: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation – see Duties section for essential job duties of the position

May require standing – lifting – carrying – sitting – stooping – bending – puling – and pushing

May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment

Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions

the area is adequately lighted – heated – and ventilated

However – the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

Duties

Major duties for the position include (but are not limited to): Demonstrates knowledge of evidence‑based Physical Therapy practice for patients who seek physical therapy services

Skilled in performing examination and evaluation of individual 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

Independently interprets findings from examination and evaluations and utilizes appropriate test and measures – and integrates findings into the physical therapy plan of care required to fittingly provide direct physical therapy services to patients with a variety of diagnoses for a full range of patient populations

Demonstrates knowledge and ability to establish a diagnosis within the scope of physical therapy practice and identify the appropriate rehabilitation intervention – including referral to another provider for further consultation as clinically indicated

Independently develops a physical therapy prognosis and incorporates examination findings to implement an appropriate patient centered physical therapy rehabilitation plan of care for a variety of diagnoses while using appropriate judgment to modify treatment for changing medical conditions

Must demonstrate knowledge – skills and abilities required to perform more complex patient treatment procedures

Communicates effectively – both orally and in writing – with patients – families – caregivers – and healthcare professionals to facilitate the multidisciplinary treatment process

Independently provides clinical oversight of Physical Therapy Assistants as well as students on clinical affiliations who are in Doctoral Physical Therapy or Physical Therapy Assistant Programs

Treatment is typically delivered on a one‑to‑one basis – though sometimes small or larger group settings will be utilized

Co‑treatments with other therapy staff may also be completed as needed to meet the patient’s needs

Patients range in age from young adult to geriatric

This position is located in the CBOC at the Houston Health Care System (HCS) – a complexity level 1a facility

Is clinically and administratively responsible to the Supervisory Rehabilitation Therapist – the Rehabilitation Director – and the Rehabilitation and Extended Care Line Executive

Primarily works in collaboration with Rehab providers and the staff from CBOC Care Line to ensure effective – efficient – and patient‑centered Physical Therapy services are provided for patients referred at the CBOC

As needed – works in conjunction with other Care Lines to ensure effective Physical Therapy services are provided to referred patients

Work requires typical physical requirements of working within the CBOC outpatient clinic – office – and gymnasium in the performance of job responsibilities

Physical exertion such as prolonged standing – crouching – bending – standing – stooping – stretching – walking or climbing/descending stairs – reaching – pulling – pushing – or reaching over shoulders

Employees frequently carry light items such as books – office supplies – instruments – occupational therapy supplies and other similar materials

Work also includes frequent lifting of moderately heavy items weighing less than 23 kilograms (i.e. – under 50 pounds) with occasional heavy lifting of up to 50 lbs

May involve occasional exposure to conditions in facilities or hospital settings requiring safety precautions

Personal Protective Equipment may need to be worn in the course of your work day

Following referral/consult from a physician or other approved provider – reviews the medical record and independently evaluates each patient to determine functional deficits and the best method to accomplish rehabilitation goals

Implements – in a timely manner – progressive treatment plans to meet goals – taking into consideration particularly the rehabilitation problems of each patient

Participates in team conferences – rounds – discharge planning meetings – specialty clinics – and other assigned medical meetings

Observes infection control procedures – safety and treatment precautions pertinent to the patient’s condition or disease process – and the specific treatment technique or procedure being utilized

Manages time to allow for unforeseen incidents or interruptions in planned program

Is flexible in treatment program

easily adapts to share in over‑ all section treatment program – as needed

Assists in coverage for absent staff members – to insure continuity of quality patient care

Work Schedule: Monday‑Friday – 8:00am‑4:30pm – subject to change based on the needs of the facility

Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position

Functional Statement # 02141F

02142F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

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