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The Staff Physical Therapist (PT) is assigned to the Physical Therapy Section within Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) at the Fayetteville VA Medical Center in Fayetteville, NC. 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: Candidates must be a citizen of the United States. After a determination is made that it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens, necessary personnel may be appointed on a temporary basis under authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 without regard to the citizenship requirements of 38 U.S.C. 7402 or any other law prohibiting the employment of or payment of compensation to a person who is not a citizen of the United States. Candidates must meet all other requirements for the grade and position concerned. English Language Proficiency: spoken and written English language proficiency in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part 11, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3j. The qualified individual will meet and maintain the qualification requirements for the position, assignment and grade as outlined in the Physical Therapist Qualification Standard, VA Handbook 5005/99, Part II, Appendix G12. Education, Experience and Licensure. 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. (4) 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. 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. 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. 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: Emergency department physical therapy, inpatient rehab, outpatient orthopedics, powered mobility/wheelchair experience References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G12 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-12 step 1 to GS-12 step 10. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; use of fingers, both hands required; reaching above shoulder; walking (8 hours); standing (8 hours); both legs required (1 prosthetic); far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing (Aid permitted); and mental and emotional stability. ["Physical Therapist has the ability to use professional knowledge effectively and must possess initiative, tact, resourcefulness, and good judgment in exercising authority. The Staff Physical Therapist is responsible for completing neuromusculoskeletal evaluations and treatments, completing medical documentation, and providing patient/family education in both inpatient and outpatient settings. They are required to apply evidence based evaluation methodologies and treatment theories in the provision of care to patients with a vast array of functional impairments. Weekend and holiday work may be required. Duties include but are not limited to: Assists Supervisory Therapist, Physical Medicine and Rehab Service (PM&RS) in planning and developing various treatment programs to meet patient needs, as requested by PM&R Chief - Directly supervises the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) in clinical duties in the care of patients being treated by the PT's plan of care Actively supports and promotes all programs of PM&RS Assists with orientation of new PM&RS staff Assists in the development, planning and implementation of monitors of quality of care with respect to PM&RS as part of the comprehensive health care services delivered to the patients within the Fayetteville VA Coastal Health Care System (FVACHCS) Conducts record keeping related to patient care documentation and quality improvement (QI) data collection as specified by the Supervisory Therapist Reviews and makes recommendations on supply and equipment acquisition necessary for delivery of patient care Participates in Departmental program development and quality improvement projects to include, but not limited to, chart reviews, committee membership, and process improvement projects Assesses patient dysfunction using appropriate measures/tests/tools Communicates effectively with other internal and external health care providers involved in patient care via written, telephonic, and personal communication on a regular basis Demonstrates the teaching skills required to provide education to patients, family members, caregivers, employees, students, and coworkers Performs competent written documentation of initial examinations, progress notes, and discharge summaries. Demonstrates advanced competency in knowledge of electronic documentation and computer skills Work Schedule: 08:00am - 4:30pm, Monday - Friday. Weekend and holiday work may be required. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Physical Therapist/FS# 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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