Physical Therapist

Summary

The Physical Therapist is assigned to the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service and serves those patients as dictated by the New York Harbor Health Care System. The staff Physical Therapist utilizes the application of goal oriented, purposeful activity in the assessment and treatment of individuals whose function is impaired by physical illness or injury, psychiatric and/or emotional disorder, congenital or developmental learning disabilities or the aging process.

Duties

• Duties include, but are not limited to the following: Clinical Duties: – An incumbent is a licensed physical therapist who can perform at minimum all duties at the full performance level.
• He/she is responsible for administering physical therapy programs for Veterans. – Incumbent provides evaluation and treatment in a timely fashion.
• chart review will allow the incumbent an opportunity to assess the appropriateness of the referral and possible contraindications for treatment. – Incumbent’s evaluation includes a medical history and results and interpretation of the appropriate tests and measurements performed.
• Tests are frequently complex and may need to be adapted because of multiple physical disabilities or present medical condition. – Incumbent utilizes evaluation data to implement comprehensive Veteran treatment plans, involving the Veteran in a goal-setting process, if feasible.
• Follows established protocols, ethics and guidelines of the Physical Therapy Section and the profession. – Incumbent plans. and carries out the full range of treatment where therapeutic objectives are complex and procedures involved require the application of highly specialized skills and knowledge.
• Incumbent modifies treatment plan according to evaluative findings on an ongoing basis to meet established goals. He/she recognizes even subtle responses or adverse reactions to treatment, initiates effective action immediately.
• and advises other health care team members as indicated. – Incumbents must coordinate and employ several treatment approaches simultaneously to accomplish complex treatment objectives. – Incumbent demonstrates a full professional understanding of the theories of treatment of physical therapy and their proper application through which.
• the use of therapeutic physical rehabilitation and reconditioning procedures are implemented. – Incumbent demonstrates knowledge of and compliance with all emergency and disaster procedures. – Incumbent identifies his/her continuing education needs.
• attends continuing education programs and reads professional literature for the purpose of maintaining or improving knowledge and skills for work performance. – Incumbent maintains current working knowledge of available technology and equipment. – Incumbent involves the Veteran, family members, caregivers.
• and pertinent health care staff in the treatment process by maintaining effective communications. Administrative Duties: – Incumbent is responsible for the care, upkeep, and sanitation of equipment in the assigned work environment.
• He/she organizes and maintains clinical and administrative space in order to optimize safety, infection control and efficiency.
• Organizes work related matters, schedules patients efficiently and completes assigned tasks in a timely manner – Solves problems independently not covered by guidelines without supervision.
• assists other physical therapy staff members in the modification of treatment plans and serves as role model for other physical therapy staff members/students. – Incumbent assesses the equipment needs of the department and maintains adequate stock of supplies and materials. – Incumbent schedules Veterans for.
• treatment.
• considering priority and frequency of care and coordinates schedules with other members of the treatment team.
• Flexibility of schedule must be maintained to allow for unscheduled Veterans and unforeseen circumstances. – Incumbent follows the VHA Outpatient Scheduling Processes and Procedures, and delegates these duties appropriately to medical support staff.
• This may include ensuring the rules for scheduling new consults are followed, entering return to clinic orders for follow up appointments and following procedures for communicating no-shows, Veteran cancellations.
• and clinic cancellations. – Incumbent delegates duties to assistants and other support staff and performs any necessary follow-up as appropriate. – Incumbent complies with all policies and procedures regarding documentation and coding of Veteran care. – Incumbent demonstrates knowledge of computer skills for completion of documentation and other responsibilities as required.
• Documents in core computer evaluations, ongoing patient treatment plans and performance via accurate and timely note-writing, record keeping and charting procedures based on established protocol by DVANYHHS and the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service – Incumbents attend and participates in all mandatory departmental staff meetings and training sessions.
• Incumbent plans and presents in-service education programs, when requested and/or as needed to the PT section, PM&R staff, and other services, as appropriate. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not Available Functional Statement #: 00407A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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.
• 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/.

Required Documents

• To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: Resume 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 DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) License Other (1) PCS Orders Professional Certification Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 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.