Job Information
Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration Physical Therapist in Rockford, Illinois
Summary The Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) Physical Therapist (PT) is assigned to the Physical Therapy department within Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) at the William S Middleton Veterans Affairs Hospital (VAH) in Madison, WIsconsin. This position reports to the CBOC Rehab Supervisor. Services provided by the CBOC PT both virtual and in-person care. Responsibilities VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY II. Functions of the Position: A. The Physical Therapist will function in accordance with: 1. Federal law. 2. The Wisconsin Physical Therapy Practice Act published by the Wisconsin Board for Physical Therapy. 3. The Standards of Practice for Physical Therapists and the Physical Therapy Code of Ethics as published by the American Physical Therapy Association. B. Clinical: 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. Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Madison WI February 2024 Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service Incumbent demonstrates a high degree of independence and professional judgment in planning and executing treatment programs to meet routine treatment for the veteran. Incumbent does not require direct/on-site supervision from PM&RS. Makes recommendations and referral to other medical specialties/services as needs are identified during ongoing assessment of this routine patient population. Maintains consistent and timely documentation of patient encounters in the electronic medical record in accordance with accepted PT practice, facility and Rehabilitation Service policies and procedures. Participates in regular team meetings, verbal and written communication and consultation amongst team members in order to guide and evaluate the work. 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. Performs routine physical therapy evaluation and treatment for male and female patients aged 20-85+ years old. Completes a comprehensive systems screen for all patients. Stage of life is considered and used to modify evaluation and treatment based on the needs of the individual. Ability to interpret findings from examination and diagnostic studies/medical tests, select appropriate test and measures, and integrate findings into the physical therapy plan of care for the full range of patient populations. Involves the patient, family/significant other and medical team in treatment planning and goal setting through ongoing communication. Interprets findings from examination, diagnostic studies/medical tests and, during evaluation, select appropriate clinical tests and measures, and then integrate findings into the physical therapy plan of care for the full range of patient populations. Seeks consultation with other team members for adaptations to an assessment, goals and treatment as needed. C. Communication Directs the scheduling of appointments for Veterans according to their Physical Therapy treatment plan while coordinating with other disciplines within the team and facility. Maintains a flexibility of schedule to allow for unscheduled Veteran appointments, patient/team consultation and mentoring. Participates in regular team meetings, verbal and written communication and consultation amongst team members to help guide and evaluate the work of the interdisciplinary. Collaboration with the team is necessary to develop a cohesive treatment plan for this patient population. Actively communicates, coordinates, collaborates, and partners with interdisciplinary team members, including but not limited to: Veterans, Veteran family and support members, Physicians/LIP's, Occupational Therapists, Nurses, Social Workers, Nutritionists/Dieticians, Recreational Therapists, Pharmacists, Speech and Language Pathologists and other team members as needed. Effectively supervises Physical Therapy Assistants (PTAs) in accordance with State and Agency regulations and guidelines. This supervision is based on mutual understanding between the PT and PTA about each other's competence, experience, education, and credentials, and it fosters growth and development, promotes effective utilization of resources, encourages creativity and innovation, and provides education and support to achieve goals. D. Documentation Maintains consistent, accurate, and timely documentation of patient encounters in the electronic medical record in accordance with accepted PT practice, Joint Commission, facility, and PM&R Service requirements regarding content and timeliness. Timely and accurate selection and application of the correct reimbursement codes and workload entry as supported by documentation. Enters consults to the Prosthetics Service for rehabilitation equipment in accordance with PM&RS and local medical center policies. Work Schedule: 8 am - 4:30pm, Monday - Friday Telework: Not Eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 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. You maybe required to 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. 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 Specialized Experience: GS-11 Physical Therapist (Entry): Education, Experience, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-12 Physical Therapist (Full Performance Level): 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: Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities: 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 7 well as students on clinical affiliations who are in Doctoral PT Programs or PTA Programs. 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). Preferred 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 Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. 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. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.