Physical Therapist (Program Coordinator)

Veterans Health Administration • Tulsa, OK

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The Physical Therapist (Program Coordinator) works collaboratively with the Chief of Rehabilitation, inpatient rehabilitation providers, the Acute Medicine Nurse Manager, and the Rehabilitation Team to develop programs and coordinate operations for the 12-bed Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit and outpatient clinics, including the Spinal Cord Injury Clinic, Amputee Clinic, and PM&R TBI/Polytrauma Clinic. The role coordinates rehabilitation admissions and referrals, provides physical therapy treatment, and oversees program compliance, quality improvement, performance, and outcomes. The position also supports patient safety, policy development, and coordination with community care services. The full performance level is GS-13. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; compressed or flexible scheduling and telework are not available.

Requirements

• Meet one of the education and experience pathways: a bachelor's degree in physical therapy and five years of progressively independent physical therapist experience; a master's degree in physical therapy and two years of progressively independent physical therapist experience; or a doctorate in physical therapy.
• Hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice physical therapy in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, unless qualifying under the specified grandfathering provision.
• For GS-13, have one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in addition to the basic requirements.
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge of contemporary physical therapy in a specialty area sufficient to provide clinical guidance, training, or education to internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrate ability to consult on intra-agency and interagency planning and coordinate services to optimize program continuity, efficiency, and effectiveness.
• Demonstrate knowledge and skill in management, administration, and/or education methodologies, including tracking data, using resources effectively, evaluating program quality, and generating reports for leadership.
• Demonstrate ability to develop and coordinate treatment and/or educational programs in a concentrated specialty area.
• Demonstrate ability to establish and maintain collaborative relationships within and across departments or affiliated programs.
• Demonstrate ability to guide the work of a multidisciplinary team.
• Be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Be a U.S. citizen, except that non-citizens may be appointed when recruiting qualified citizens is not possible under VA policy.
• Meet the job's physical requirements, including frequent standing, walking, bending, kneeling, and reaching; ability to lift and support patients; and ability to lift 50 pounds to chest height while maintaining good body mechanics.
• Meet applicable pre-employment requirements, including background/security investigation, drug testing if selected for a testing-designated position, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Acute care or acute inpatient rehabilitation experience.

Responsibilities

• Participate in implementing the admissions process and develop interventions and goals to maximize function for patients on the 12-bed inpatient rehabilitation unit.
• Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team and communicate staff concerns to the team.
• Serve as the primary liaison for outside consultations requesting rehabilitation services.
• Review charts for outside rehabilitation admission consultations to verify admission criteria and appropriateness in collaboration with PM&R residents and medical providers.
• Coordinate admissions from other EOVAHCS units, other VA units, outside hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and home.
• Attend meetings and patient rounds as needed, and communicate regularly with staff to support timely information exchange.
• Communicate with patients, families, healthcare providers, referral sources, and home health agencies, and document appropriately in the Electronic Medical Record.
• Implement and manage the Comprehensive Integrated Inpatient Rehabilitation Program (CIIRP), including compliance, performance improvement, strategic planning, and patient-outcome analysis.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory agencies such as The Joint Commission and assist with submitting outcomes data to VA data systems, including Outcomes and GG scores.
• Develop and document strategic plans, performance improvement plans, outcomes analyses, and other required documentation.
• Address inpatient rehabilitation unit safety issues; participate on the Hospital Falls Committee as needed and coordinate annual emergency safety training for the interdisciplinary team.
• Develop and implement quality improvement efforts; collect data, analyze trends, and identify opportunities to improve patient safety and risk management.
• Assist in developing departmental and hospital-wide policies and standard operating procedures.
• Act as Chair of the Rehabilitation Steering Committee as needed.
• Collaborate with authorization staff to use funding sources responsibly and complete Community Care Consults for Medical Rehabilitation to support timely, efficient care.
• Recommend alternative levels of care and collaborate with Community Nursing Home Program and Community Care staff as needed.
• Develop and administer physical therapy treatment programs and maintain professional development by keeping current with treatment techniques.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on position eligibility.
• Annual leave accrual may be credited for prior federal or military service if requested and approved before appointment; credit is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

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