Physical Therapist

Veterans Health Administration • Dallas, TX

11d • Onsite

About The Position

The Physical Therapist (PT) provides assessment and treatment in the Community Living Center and the Comprehensive Integrated Inpatient Rehabilitation Program. The PT plans and modifies treatment based on the patient's response to intervention and changes in medical condition. Therapists at this level may receive general assignments in any physical therapy program area.

The position includes evaluating adult and geriatric patients with acute and chronic injuries or conditions affecting the musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and integumentary systems. The PT examines movement, establishes a diagnosis and prognosis within the scope of physical therapy, develops individualized plans of care, and selects appropriate interventions or referrals. The PT also recommends and trains patients in the use of orthotics, prosthetics, assistive devices, adaptive equipment, and assistive technology.

The PT coordinates care with patients, families, stakeholders, and interdisciplinary team members; documents progress; adapts treatment to patient response; and prepares home programs and related caregiver instruction. Administrative work includes managing schedules and referrals, supporting clinic operations and inventory, participating in quality and process-improvement activities, and following department and facility procedures.

The work schedule is Tuesday through Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with PRN weekend and holiday coverage. Travel is less than 25% and is required to provide patient care at multiple VANTHCS duty stations. Telework and virtual work are not available. Work takes place in clinics, wards, exercise areas, offices, conference rooms, and occasionally patients' homes. The position may involve exposure to infectious diseases and medical or psychiatric emergencies, as well as substantial physical demands including patient transfers and occasional defense against combative patients.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed only when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Full, current, and unrestricted license to practice physical therapy in a U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; a temporary graduate PT appointment may be available under stated conditions for up to two years.
• Meet at least one education and experience pathway: a bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy plus five years of progressively independent PT experience; a master's degree in Physical Therapy plus two years of progressively independent PT experience; or a doctorate degree in Physical Therapy.
• Graduate of a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)-accredited college or university, subject to the stated provisions for foreign graduates.
• For GS-12: one year of experience equivalent to GS-11, a valid unrestricted state license, and demonstrated KSAs in autonomous clinical decision-making, examination and evaluation, interpretation of findings, diagnosis and intervention or referral, prognosis and goal setting, and clinical oversight of PT assistants and students.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Current state-issued driver's license and ability to safely operate a Government vehicle.
• Pass required pre-employment physical examination and applicable background/security investigation; complete onboarding and other application requirements.
• For applicable applicants, comply with selective service registration requirements and pre-employment drug testing.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as a condition of employment.
• Perform the physical functions of the role, including walking, standing, bending, pushing, pulling, crawling, climbing, kneeling, lifting and carrying up to 44 pounds, reaching, and patient transfers; meet stated functional vision and hearing requirements.
• Work Tuesday through Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with PRN weekend and holiday coverage; travel to multiple VANTHCS duty stations, less than 25% of the time.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, during which continued employment is subject to written certification that it advances the public interest.

Nice To Haves

• Two or more years of experience treating geriatric patients in an inpatient subacute or acute rehabilitation setting.
• Experience collaborating with an interdisciplinary team to facilitate safe discharge from rehabilitation to home and provide family training or education.
• Experience with a patient-care electronic health record system.
• Ability to establish a physical therapy diagnosis and identify an appropriate intervention.
• Ability to interpret examination and evaluation findings, select appropriate tests and measures, and integrate findings into a physical therapy plan of care.

Responsibilities

• Schedule patient evaluations based on the complexity and acuity of medical conditions, coordinating schedules with interdisciplinary team members.
• Screen for systemic diseases and medical conditions that may mimic neuromuscular or musculoskeletal problems; examine and evaluate patients' movement systems.
• Evaluate adult and geriatric patients with acute and chronic injuries and conditions affecting the musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and integumentary systems.
• Review medical records, diagnostic studies, and medical tests; select clinical tests and measures; and integrate findings and evidence into plans of care.
• Establish a physical therapy diagnosis, determine prognosis, set clinically appropriate goals with patients and stakeholders, and select interventions or refer patients for further consultation when indicated.
• Evaluate and recommend equipment to address loss or limitation of function; prescribe, fit, and train patients in orthotics, prosthetics, assistive devices, adaptive equipment, and assistive technology.
• Develop and implement comprehensive treatment plans with objective, measurable goals and timelines; modify plans according to patient response and progress toward goals.
• Document treatment progression and plan modifications, and develop home programs when indicated at discharge.
• Instruct significant others in assisting patients with home programs and using issued equipment and assistive devices.
• Receive and triage referrals, consults, and patient self-referrals; follow consult-compliance guidelines and apply program admission criteria to support appropriate continuum-of-care placement.
• Manage and coordinate schedules and programs based on caseload, adapting schedules to accommodate unscheduled treatments when needed.
• Follow department and facility procedures and participate in process-improvement activities related to CLC, CIIRP, PM&R, and VANTHCS.
• Collect and analyze patient-care information to support performance evaluation systems and process-improvement projects; participate in updating evaluation forms and protocols.
• Delegate tasks and procedures to appropriate support personnel and assist with ordering supplies and maintaining clinic inventory.
• Report safety hazards and faulty equipment to the Lead Therapist and/or Supervisor Program Manager.
• Provide clinical oversight to Physical Therapy Assistants and students in relevant clinical-affiliation programs, as applicable to the grade-level requirements.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package available to the employee and family, subject to position and benefits eligibility.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual for qualifying prior federal employment or military service, if requested and approved before appointment; not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level