Work in Washington Veterans Jobs

Summary The Physical Therapist (Community Care & Referral Coordination)) is responsible for and assigned to review all incoming outpatient therapy requests/consults, all incoming Extended Care Facility rehab contracts extensions as well as all durable medical equipment (DME)/mobility assistive devices requests from VA or community therapists/clinics for medical necessity and appropriateness of services. Responsibilities Duties listed below are for GS-12, GS-11 will differ in complexity and oversight. Performs comprehensive internal consult and community referral for service reviews. Reviews, writes, and collaborates with stakeholders on Service Line Agreements and standardized triage tools for collaborative and consistent consult review and disposition. Patient medical records are reviewed to assess appropriateness of physical and/or occupational therapy, potential risks or contraindications to treatment are noted to assist in guiding the evaluation process. Consultation with more experienced therapists on very complex patients is expected and appropriate. Consultation review findings are used to develop and implement comprehensive patient treatment plans including objective, measurable goals, frequency and duration of therapy and timelines for completion. These goals are developed in collaboration/consultation with the referring clinician and/or other stakeholder input and may include consultation with more experienced therapists. Reviews documentation of progress from VA and non-VA sources and modifies treatment plan according to patient response to best meet established goals. Documents treatment progression and/or modifications according to departmental and Medical Center standards. Demonstrates a full professional understanding of the theories or treatment of physical therapy and their proper application through the use of therapeutic physical rehabilitation and reconditioning procedures. Demonstrates a full professional understanding of the VA Medical Center policy on provision of therapy services. Recognizes adverse reaction to treatment and initiates effective action immediately. Ensures appropriate patient referrals and discharge planning in concert with the Physical Therapy and Medical Center staff. Documents, tracks, and completes all non-VA consultation work in the computerized medical record and according to medical center policies. Consults regularly with physician leadership team and works toward continuous quality improvement of the Referral Coordination, Community Care, and RCS services. Performs comprehensive patient evaluations, assessments, and treatments as indicated. Patient medical records are reviewed to assess appropriateness of physical therapy intervention, note any potential risks or contraindications to treatment, and to assist in guiding the evaluation process. Evaluations include medical history, results and interpretation of appropriate functional tests and measurements such as: range of motion, muscle strength, sensory/perceptual deficits, coordination, functional mobility, pain scales, and social needs. Tests are frequently complex and may need to be adapted because of multiple physical disabilities or present medical conditions. Evaluations address rehabilitation potential, behavior, motor skills, and psychosocial development at an age appropriate level. Barriers to learning are identified and strategies to overcome them developed and implemented to ensure accurate patient evaluation. Evaluation findings are used to develop and implement comprehensive patient treatment plans including objective, measurable goals, timelines for completion. Modifies treatment plan according to patient response to best meet established goals. Documents treatment progression and/or modifications according to departmental and Medical Center standards. Demonstrates a full professional understanding of the theories or treatment of physical therapy and their proper application through the use of therapeutic physical rehabilitation and reconditioning procedures. Responsible for maintaining open communication with patients, families, Medical Center staff and Community clinics as well as others medical providers. Seeks clarification, listens and conveys information clearly, in written and verbal forms. Investigates and responds appropriately to all complaints and takes effective corrective action when necessary. Demonstrates the ability to identify and resolve interpersonal or professional conflicts when dealing with patients and members of the organization. Demonstrates tact, courtesy and a positive approach to communication and interaction with other employees, visitors, physicians, and the public. Presents the Program, Service, and Medical Center in a positive manner. Maintains confidentiality of patient medical records according to established policy. Work Schedule: 8AM - 4:30PM, Monday - Friday Telework: Ad-hoc only Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. 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 To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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. 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: (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. (COPY OF TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED FOR ALL DEGREES) 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. (IF LICENSED, MUST PROVIDE COPY) 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. 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) 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: 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: 3 or more years physical therapist experience strongly preferred. 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: Light carrying, use of fingers, both hands, hearing (aid may be permitted), sitting, viewing monitors, typing, and listing/talking on phone and internet calls. Environmental factors includes working closely with others, working alone, and working at a computer for long periods. 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 Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. 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. 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. 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.