Physical Therapist (Cape Coral)

Summary
The incumbent serves as a Licensed Physical Therapist (PT) under Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service at the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System. The position is located in Cape Coral, Florida and is a member of the Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) Team. The incumbent is responsible for providing in-home evaluations, planning, recommending and coordination of other pertinent VA or rehabilitation services in the home for the enrolled Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) patient population.
This job is open to

• Internal to an agency
  Current federal employees of this agency.

Clarification from the agency
This announcement is open to current, permanent employees of the C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center to include the Community Based Outpatient Centers. It is also open to current/past/upcoming VHA Health Professions Trainee (HPT) Graduates.
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Duties
The incumbent is responsible for providing in-home evaluations, planning, recommending and coordination of other pertinent VA or rehabilitation services in the home for the enrolled Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) patient population. The PT is responsible for performing assessments for appropriate in home equipment and providing appropriate patient health education and training for patients and their caregivers. The PT provides these in-home services to patients with a wide variety of chronic and terminal, complex illnesses and/or profound disabilities. The PT is regarded as a subject matter expert in evaluating and treating patients in this specialty area. The PT serves as a mentor to other professionals and PT students. The following are some other duties assigned:

• Reviews incoming referrals for appropriateness and independently evaluates patient's problems to determine their physical therapy needs through the use of standard tests and measurements adapting and modifying treatment plans to meet the needs of patients.
• Plans a treatment program with measurable goals, based on evaluative findings and within the boundaries of the individual prescription.
• Evaluates and adapts activities and home environment to improve patients' function, safety and quality of life through structural or positional changes to promote the patient's safety and independence. Associated changes may include installation of ramps, bars, widening door frames, remodeling bathrooms and kitchens for wheelchair accessibility, changes in furniture heights, adjustment of traffic patterns, and lift assessments.
• Administers standard physical therapy treatment in the specific area to which he/she is assigned but may be rotated to cross cover other clinical areas depending on staffing/patient needs.
• Provides accurate written and/or verbal documentation of patient status and progress, treatment program plans and patient response to treatment.
• Schedules patient visits throughout the day allowing for adequate individual treatment time as well as necessary time for conferences and any administrative tasks.
• Consults with patients and their families/caregivers through patient family education, training, advising them in the nature of their medical condition and by providing home programs.
• Evaluates for clinically indicated assistive equipment, adaptive and orthotic devices, available by special order and/or through Prosthetics Service to meet the individual patient's needs. The incumbent demonstrates ability to procure, adjust, and adapt equipment for the patient's functional mobility needs and patient centered goals.
• Compiles and submits statistical data required documenting patient attendance, therapist workload and Quality Assurance monitors. The supervisor is generally apprised of work performed through quality management reports, audits, and meetings.
• Other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday- Friday; 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Compressed/Flexible:Not Available
Telework: Available (Adhoc)
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Requirements
Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

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.
• English Language Proficiency:Physical Therapists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d).
• Education and Experience:Physical Therapists must meet one of the education/experience requirements below:
  
  • Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a Physical Therapist; OR
  • Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a Physical Therapist; OR
  • Doctorate degree in physical therapy.

NOTE: Individuals must be a graduate of a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredited college or university. 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.

• License: Individuals must 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.
  
  • Note: Non -Licensed PT's who otherwise meet the basic requirements, may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate PT at the GS-11 grade for a period not to exceed two years from the date of employment on the condition that the 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.
  • Loss of Credential. A PT who fails to maintain the required license must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment. At the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may be reassigned to another occupation, if qualified, and if a placement opportunity exists.

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: In addition to the basic requirements above, you must also meet one of the following grade requirements for a specific grade level.
GS-11: (Entry level)

• Experience, Experience, and Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements.
  
  • Note: See exception to licensure requirement above.

GS-12: (Full Performance Level)

• Experience, education 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 KSA's listed 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.

Preferred Experience: VHA outpatient and inpatient physical therapy experience preferred.
References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G12 dated February 7, 2018.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.
Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the work require light lifting (under 15 pounds), light carrying (under 15 pounds), the use of fingers, reaching above shoulder, both hands required, walking (3 hrs.), prolong standing (6-8 hrs.), crawling (.25 hrs.), kneeling (.50 hrs.), repeated bending (2 hrs.), ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously.
Education
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
Additional information
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

• Benefits
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How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
It is the policy of th...