Summary This position is in the Physical Therapy Department within Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) at the Phoenix VA Health Care System. The Inpatient Physical Therapy Program Coordinator who works at this level provides assessment and treatment intervention on an independent basis across the continuum of care and services provided by PM&RS. S/he is expected to carry out general duty assignments but primarily serves as subject matter expert in Inpatient Physical Therapy. Responsibilities VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY Inpatient Physical Therapy Program Coordinator 1. Assignment The Inpatient Physical Therapy Program Coordinator is responsible for managing the Phoenix VA Medical Center Inpatient, Community Living Center and Home Based Primary Care Physical herapy programs in collaboration with the Physical Therapy Section Supervisor. The incumbent provides program coordination of Inpatient Physical Therapy clinical and training programs. The Inpatient PT Program Coordinator is responsible for the development and implementation of policies and procedures to address focused clinical needs and the overall services delivered and provided within the section. Performs physical therapy evaluation and treatments, male and female, ages ranging from adult to geriatric, having a variety of disabilities. These cases may be complex in nature with chronic and acute disease entities including but not limited to central nervous system disorders, joint diseases, circulatory and pulmonary diseases, diabetes mellitus, altered thought processes and multisystem disease combinations. Has ability to determine the most appropriate plan of care relative to the patient's diagnosis, age, developmental level and cultural needs. Skills were obtained through formal education and are maintained by continuing education. Manages the Inpatient Physical Therapy program in collaboration with the Physical Therapy Section Supervisor. Establishes an Inpatient Physical Therapy clinical vision and strategic plan in collaboration with the Physical Therapy Section Supervisor. Develops and implements physical therapy patient education content, based on the most current evidence-based practice. Provides in-service and clinical training programs as assigned by the Physical Therapy Section Supervisor. 2. Clinical According to department policies, incumbent is authorized to perform examination and treatment of patients representing a wide scope of ages and diagnoses, rendering varied modalities inherent in their profession. Serves as a Clinical Instructor and role model for students and others on the physical therapy staff. Performs annual competencies for all PMRS staff as requested. Employees unusual motivational techniques to enlist patient participation and adapts equipment and procedures to carry out a full range of complex treatment activities. Evaluates patient's condition upon appropriate referral to physical therapy to determine treatment plan. Makes referrals to other team professionals as appropriate. Performs and interprets results of tests and measurements of use in preparing for modification and/or evaluation of patient treatment, and adjusts to treatment based on changes in patient's condition. 3. Educational Responsibilities Professional Growth and Continuing Competency - Maintains a high level of professional competence by continuing participation in learning experiences/continuing education courses. Participates in and attends Physical Therapy section in-services as well as hospital wide in-services. Attends mandatory in-service training as required by VA, PM&RS and PT policies. Student Supervision - Has a responsibility to the profession and this facility to provide instruction to students of Physical Therapy and Physical Therapist Assistant programs assigned to this facility for clinical affiliations, and possesses skills commensurate with that responsibility. 4. Administrative A. Assists with aspects of supervisory duties, as delegated by PT Section Supervisor, that include but not limited to: i. Interviewing candidates, recommending appointments, advancements, and promotions and taking disciplinary action when indicated. ii. Develops and completes of performance evaluations for Inpatient Physical Therapy staff. iii. Organizes the inpatient PT section. Guides and manages clinics in respect to training, work assignments, performance, conduct, and patient welfare. Work Schedule: Full-time, TBD Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment 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. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications QUALIFICATIONS Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. . Education. Applicants must meet one of the following requirements below possessing a degree from an approved program by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredited college or university. A Bachelor's degree in physical therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist; OR A Master's Degree in physical therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist; OR, A doctorate degree in physical therapy Licensure. Applicants must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice physical Therapy in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or the District of Columbia. Note: Non-licensed PTs, who otherwise meet the basic requirements in this standard, may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate PT at the GS-11 grade level under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 (A)(1)(D) for a period not-to-exceed two years from the date of employment on the condition that such PT provide care only under the supervision of a PT who is licensed. Failure to obtain licensure during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment Preferred Experience/Qualifications: Inpatient VA experience, 5+ yrs of IP/ICU/Med-Surg and CLC experience, safe patient handling training, early mobility training, Grade Determinations: GS- 13 Physical Therapist Assignment. At the full performance level, PTs are responsible for independently providing assessment and treatment interventions to inpatients and outpatients received through healthcare provider referrals and patient self-referrals. Guided by differential and movement diagnoses, PTs perform 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 personal and environmental factors. PTs interpret findings from examination, diagnostic studies/medical tests and, during evaluation, select appropriate clinical tests and measures, and then integrate findings into the physical therapy plan of care for the full range of patient populations. PTs establish a diagnosis within the scope of physical therapy and identify the appropriate intervention to treat and/or refer to another provider for further consultation when needed. They determine physical therapy prognosis by incorporating examination findings with the patient's preferences for meaningful level of function in order to set clinically appropriate treatment goals and optimize outcomes. Physical therapists select appropriate equipment needed to substitute for loss of function or to substitute for limited function of individuals they treat. Staff PTs at this level practice autonomously, making recommendations and referrals to other medical specialties/services as clinically indicated during ongoing assessment of patients under their care. The staff PT may also develop and provide individualized clinical training experiences for physical therapy students in facilities with established clinical experience rotations. PTs at this level may be given general assignments in any/all areas where physical therapy services are deemed necessary, and/or may serve as the sole PT at a less complex facility. Individuals may perform ancillary assignments as deemed appropriate given the needs of a facility on an occasional basis, where the amount of work is not substantial (less than 25% of the duty time). GS-13 Experience: Applicants must have completion of one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the next lower grade at the GS-12level. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to apply advanced knowledge of contemporary physical therapy within specialty area to provide clinical guidance, training or education for internal and external stakeholders. Ability to serve as a consultant within the assigned program area for intra-agency and interagency planning and to provide service coordination to optimize program continuity, efficiency and effectiveness. Knowledge of and skill in management, administration and/or education methodologies. This includes the ability to monitor and track data, utilize available resources effectively, evaluate program quality, and generate reports for local, and/or VISN and/or VACO leadership. Ability to develop and coordinate treatment and/or educational programs within a concentrated field or specialty area, such as, but not limited to, amputee, spinal cord injury, chronic pain, student clinical education/residency programming, polytrauma/traumatic brain injury. Ability to establish and maintain collaborative relationships within department and with other departments or affiliated programs. Ability to guide the work of a multi-disciplinary team. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G12- Physical Therapist Qualification Standard. Physical Requirements: The incumbent of the position will meet and maintain physical and drug test program requirements for the position as required. There will be periods of walking and ambulating patients, providing patient transfers, some lifting of 35 pounds and supporting patients. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.