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 Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit and outpatient clinics, including the Spinal Cord Injury Clinic, Amputee Clinic, and PM&R TBI/Polytrauma Clinic. The role supports the admissions process and treatment planning for patients on a 12-bed inpatient rehabilitation unit, coordinates referrals and admissions, and serves as a liaison among patients, families, healthcare providers, referral sources, home health agencies, and outside facilities. The coordinator is responsible for implementation and management of the Comprehensive Integrated Inpatient Rehabilitation Program, including compliance, performance improvement, strategic planning, and analysis of patient outcomes. The position also contributes to patient safety and quality improvement, regulatory compliance, policy and procedure development, care authorization and community-care coordination, and interdisciplinary team operations. As a physical therapist, the incumbent develops and administers treatment programs and maintains professional knowledge of current treatment techniques.

Requirements

Meet one of the education and experience pathways: bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy and five years of progressively independent physical therapist experience; master's degree in Physical Therapy and two years of progressively independent physical therapist experience; or doctorate degree 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.
Have one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level for the GS-13 position.
Demonstrate advanced contemporary physical therapy knowledge in a specialty area and the ability to provide clinical guidance, training, or education to internal and external stakeholders.
Demonstrate the 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 the ability to develop and coordinate treatment or educational programs in a specialty area.
Demonstrate the ability to establish and maintain collaborative relationships within and across departments or affiliated programs and guide a multidisciplinary team.
Be proficient in written and spoken English.
Be a U.S. citizen, except where non-citizen appointment is permitted under VA policy when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
Meet the position's physical requirements, including frequent standing, walking, bending, kneeling, and reaching; lifting and supporting patients; and lifting 50 pounds to chest height while maintaining good body mechanics.
Meet applicable VA employment conditions, including background/security investigation, drug testing for selected applicants in testing-designated positions, influenza vaccination program participation, and completion of onboarding and application requirements.

Nice To Haves

Acute care or acute inpatient rehabilitation experience.

Responsibilities

Participate in implementing the inpatient rehabilitation admissions process and develop interventions and goals to maximize patient function.
Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team and communicate concerns and pertinent information to staff.
Serve as the primary liaison for outside consultations requesting rehabilitation services.
Review charts for potential inpatient rehabilitation admissions, verify admission criteria and appropriateness with PM&R residents and medical providers, and coordinate admissions from VA units, outside hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and home.
Attend meetings and patient rounds as needed.
Communicate effectively 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, including compliance, performance improvement, strategic planning, and patient-outcome analysis.
Ensure compliance with regulatory agencies such as The Joint Commission and assist with submission of outcomes data to VA data systems, including GG scores.
Develop and document strategic plans, performance improvement plans, outcomes analyses, and other required program documentation.
Address safety issues on the inpatient rehabilitation unit, 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 policies and standard operating procedures with department and hospital-wide committees, and act as Chair of the Rehab 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 current knowledge of treatment techniques.
Perform additional duties as assigned.