Physical Therapist (HBPC)

Summary

Serves as a staff physical therapist with evaluation and treatment responsibilities in outpatient, inpatient, and acute rehabilitation despite primary focus in home setting. Communicates effectively within a multidisciplinary service to provide quality care with compassion and a commitment to excellence.

Duties

SCOPE OF ASSIGNED RESPONSIBILITIES:

• A.
• CLINICAL: Independently develops, implements, and evaluates therapeutic rehabilitation programs within the framework of HBPC or in the inpatient/outpatient setting at OGJVAMC.
• Considers the populations served by the medical center when assessing and validating the knowledge, skills, and ability of clients to fulfill therapy goals and interventions.
• Assesses the goals, living skills, physical abilities, and related needs for each patient referred for in-home assessment and assessment at the facility.
• Completes safety assessments after falls to include recommendations relevant to the Veteran’s home environment, health/disease status and available resources.
• Performs a comprehensive in-home environmental and functional assessment initially and follow-up assessments when clinically indicated or at minimum annually, that will include identifying functional deficits (Barthel Index, Katz, FIM, or other functional assessment tool), fall risk, home safety risks, assessing and planning for emergency preparedness, planning and implementing intervention using evidence based practice guidelines, and monitoring and evaluating a patient’s progress, preferable in person.
• Performs evaluation and ongoing patient management for patients are OGJVAMC.
• Evaluates the patient’s home, on admission and annually and as clinically indicated, to identify the need for structural modification and adaptive equipment to improve the safety and accessibility of the home environment.
• Develops a treatment plan directed toward achieving maximum level of functioning within the home, consulting with other clinicians as indicated, and developing the plan in collaboration with the patient, caregiver and other involved HBPC disciplines.
• Implements the treatment plan by providing direct patient care; procuring necessary equipment/ adaptive devices; instructing and training the client and caregiver concerning exercises, activities of daily living, rehabilitation techniques, and equipment/adaptive devices; and recommending community referrals.
• Provides follow-up assessments after equipment has been provided to assure correct use and understanding of the equipment.
• Reassess patients’ levels of functioning and home environment, revising the treatment plan as indicated.
• Evaluates the need for additional services and uses professional judgment to initiate consultation with other professionals to provide such services.
• Evaluates the home for positional changes to promote the patient’s safety and independence.
• Participates in the HBPC Performance Improvement Program, including completing assessment and documentation required by performance measures applicable to the PT’s role.
• Is an active participant in 4 East, Community Living Center (CLC) or HBPC interdisciplinary team meetings.
• This involves providing up-to-date assessments and progress toward functional goals.
• Serves as content expert in ordering complex and specialized medical equipment.
• Practices safe home care, recognizing the potential risks associated with various home and communities and adjusts visit times to assure to personal and client safety.
• Provides the team with weekly visit schedule.
• Participates in HBPC disaster and emergency planning.
• Incorporates plan into home therapy visits, re-enforcing the plan developed for management of disasters.
• Shall follow all policies and procedures to ensure compliance with all applicable environmental regulations and requirements and be good stewards of the environment through pollution prevention, waste minimization and resource conservation.
• When applicable, shall consider environmentally preferable and recycled products in all purchasing.
• 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.
• Other duties assigned Work Schedule: Full Time Mon-Fri,08:00am- 4:30pm.
• Telework: This is not a telework position.
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Functional Statement #:08579F, 08577F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Relocation/Recruitment Incentives are not authorized.

Requirements

• 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.
• 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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the “Required Documents” section of this announcement.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.
• In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
• Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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/.

How You Will Be Evaluated

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully.

Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate’s abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document.
• This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted ‘Resume’ document upload field.
• Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the ‘Other’ document upload field.
• The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position.
• Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50’s (current/former Federal employees), etc.
• Cover Letter License Other (1) Professional Certification
• Resume SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Veterans’ Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire.
• You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.).
• If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation.
• Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 “Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference” with required proof as stated on the form.
• Documentation is required to award preference.
• For more information on Veterans’ Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets – Veterans – Job Seekers – Veterans’ Preference.
• Veterans’ preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.