Job Listing: Physical Therapist

Duty Locations

 1 vacancy - VA Medical Center, Beckley, WV

NOTE:  Applicant(s) selected for this position will be eligible to apply for an award up to the maximum limitation under the provisions of the Education Debt Reduction Program.

NOTE:  A recruitment incentive has been approved for this position.

The Physical Therapist is assigned to the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) and provides physical therapy services to the veteran population enrolled in the Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) Service through the Beckley VA Medical Center.  Services include the provision of high quality and safe rehabilitative treatment, coordination of care with other pertinent VA services and clinical education / consultation regarding occupational therapy to staff and students.  This position involves regular independent travel to patients' home.  The Physical Therapist is responsible for screening of potential clients as needed; accepting and responding to HBPC therapy consults in compliance with PM&RS and HBPC policies; evaluating the patient’s functional, physical, and / or psycho-social abilities while considering the patient’s capacities, the activities, and the environments in which these activities occur; evaluating the home environment with regard to safety and accessibility issues; collaborating with the patient in the evaluation process; following defined protocols when standardized assessments are used; recommending additional consultations or resources when the needs of the client can best be served by the expertise of other professionals or services; evaluating medical needs for orthotic, prosthetic or other adaptive equipment in accordance with medical center policies and educating the patient & family about safe & correct use; reviewing pertinent patient data using the medical record and, as needed, remote data from VistaWeb; develop a treatment plan directed toward achieving the maximum level of functioning within the home, consulting with other PM&R disciplines as indicated, and developing the plan in collaboration with the patient and caregiver; identifying general contraindications to treatment; scheduling and coordinating treatment with other VA services. 

Major Duties

The Physical Therapist is assigned to the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) and provides physical therapy services to the veteran population enrolled in the Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) Service through the Beckley VA Medical Center.  Services include the provision of high quality and safe rehabilitative treatment, coordination of care with other pertinent VA services and clinical education / consultation regarding occupational therapy to staff and students.  This position involves regular independent travel to patients' home.  The Physical Therapist is responsible for screening of potential clients as needed; accepting and responding to HBPC therapy consults in compliance with PM&RS and HBPC policies; evaluating the patient’s functional, physical, and / or psycho-social abilities while considering the patient’s capacities, the activities, and the environments in which these activities occur; evaluating the home environment with regard to safety and accessibility issues; collaborating with the patient in the evaluation process; following defined protocols when standardized assessments are used; recommending additional consultations or resources when the needs of the client can best be served by the expertise of other professionals or services; evaluating medical needs for orthotic, prosthetic or other adaptive equipment in accordance with medical center policies and educating the patient & family about safe & correct use; reviewing pertinent patient data using the medical record and, as needed, remote data from VistaWeb; develop a treatment plan directed toward achieving the maximum level of functioning within the home, consulting with other PM&R disciplines as indicated, and developing the plan in collaboration with the patient and caregiver; identifying general contraindications to treatment; scheduling and coordinating treatment with other VA services.  Treatment may take place within the home setting or VA Medical Center while maintaining privacy and confidentiality as appropriate; functioning autonomously in carrying out patient education, specialized treatments, and applying therapy procedures for which competency has been established and in accordance with laws or regulations; modifying the treatment plan, therapeutic activities and interventions based on the changing needs, goals and performance of the patient; modifying the treatment plan when either the established goals or timeframes for achievement of those goals has been attained; accurately documenting therapy services in the medical record within the timeframes, formats and standards established by the PM&RS and HBPC Services and the Beckley VA Medical center; entering consults within the PM&RS Service or to the Prosthetics service for rehabilitation equipment in accordance with PM&RS and medical center policies; identifying when patients have attained maximum benefit from therapy services and terminating services as appropriate; participating in interdisciplinary team meetings and effectively communicating the patient’s response to care, therapy recommendations and appropriate follow-up patient needs.  The work requires a valid driver's license and the ability to drive long distances on sub-standard roads and access homes that may be in poor condition and have poor environmental controls.  Work is performed in the office, medical center, and the patient's home.  The home setting may be hot, cold, have unsound floors, bug infestation, etc. which requires special home visit safety precautions.  The work involves risk of exposure to a variety of contagious diseases, and of the road.

How to Apply

You must submit your application so that it will be received in our office by the closing date of the announcement.

FAXED OR E-MAILED APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

HOW TO APPLY:  Internal applicants must submit VA Form 4078 (Application for Promotion or Reassignment) or a resume to Human Resources by 4:30 pm on April 8, 2008.  Resume submission is recommended.  Address the rating factors listed on page one utilizing the Supplemental Qualification Statement, VAF 5-4676a or a blank sheet of paper and submit to Human Resources by 4:30 pm on April 15, 2008.  Ensure that applications and responses to the rating factors are received by Human Resources no later than 4:30 pm on April 15, 2008.  Failure to respond to the rating factors will disqualify the applicant.

Outside applicants must submit VA Form 10-2850c (Application for Associated Health Occupations), or a resume that clearly identifies the announcement number, title and grade of the job applying for, official transcripts of grades, and a copy of their current license or certification.  If you are or have been a Federal employee, please submit a copy of your last SF-50 “Notification of Personnel Action” and your most recent or last performance appraisal.  Applicants MUST submit a narrative statement on a separate page(s) with specific responses to the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAO’s) identified above in the rating factors to receive consideration.  Failure to submit narrative responses to the rating factors and other identified documentation WILL disqualify the applicant.  Human Resources must receive applications, official transcript of grades, and a copy of current licensure or certification and rating factors by 4:30 pm on

April 8, 2008.  Applications and supporting documentation can be sent to John D. Jones, Human Resources Specialist, at VA Medical Center, 200 Veterans Ave., Beckley, WV  25801

NOTICE:  Applications will be accepted from individuals eligible for appointment under special authorities (handicapped, 30% or more service-connected disabled veterans, veterans recruitment appointment, etc.)  Applications must include evidence of eligibility for appointment under special authority.

The promotion certificate resulting from this announcement may remain in effect for a period of three months and may be used for Merit Promotion referrals having the same qualification requirements occurring during the three month period if sufficient candidates are available. 

Management retains the right to fill positions from any recruitment sources such as reassignment, appointment, promotion, transfer, reemployment, reinstatement or demotion, or by any exclusion listed in the VA-AFGE Master Agreement (March 1997) or to cancel recruitment action at any time.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:  Procedures to fill this position will be done without regard to race, creed, sex, age, national origin, or any other non-merit factors.

DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE:  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 the VA.

The agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities.  If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency.  The decision on granting a reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.

Internal candidates should assure that all education and experience data is current and in their OPF by the closing date of this announcement.

The Performance Based Interviewing (PBI) process will be used when filling this vacancy.  For further information regarding PBI, refer to the following website:  http://www.va.gov/pbi.

Contact Information:
John Jones

Phone: (304) 255-2121

Email: john.jones12@va.gov


Or write:
Department Of Veterans Affairs
200 Veterans Ave
Beckley, WV 25801

US


What To Expect Next:
Once your complete application is received we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking. The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. We expect to make a selection within 60-90 days of the closing date of this announcement. You will be notified of the outcome.