Physical Therapist

About the role

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.

Responsibilities

• Administers physical therapy programs for Veterans.
• Performs evaluations and treatments in a timely manner; reviews referrals for appropriateness and possible contraindications.
• Uses evaluation data to develop comprehensive treatment plans, involving the Veteran in a goal-setting process, if feasible. Follows established protocols, ethics, and guidelines.
• Plans and carries out complex treatment objectives using various therapeutic approaches.
• Demonstrates a full professional understanding of physical therapy theories and their proper application.
• Demonstrates knowledge of and compliance with emergency and disaster procedures.
• Maintains current working knowledge of available technology and equipment.
• Involves the Veteran, family members, caregivers, and pertinent health care staff in the treatment process by maintaining effective communications.
• Carefully organizes and maintains clinical and administrative space to optimize safety, infection control, and efficiency.
• Schedules Veterans for treatment, considering priority and frequency of care, and coordinates schedules with other members of the treatment team.
• Delegates duties to assistants and other support staff and performs necessary follow-up as appropriate.
• Complies with all policies and procedures regarding documentation and coding of Veteran care.
• Attends and participates in all mandatory departmental staff meetings and training sessions. 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.

Requirements

• Full-time position with a work schedule of Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm.
• No telework option.
• Eligible for a 1 or 2-year trial period.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Must be able to pass a urinalysis for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
• Must meet eligibility criteria for appointment, including citizenship, education, experience, and licensure.

Qualifications

• Basic requirements include a bachelor's degree in physical therapy and five years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist, or a master's degree in physical therapy and two years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist.
• Licensure is required, with a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice physical therapy in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia.
• Failure to maintain the required license may result in termination of employment.
• Physical examinations are required for hybrid occupations to ensure workers can perform essential functions without endangering their health or the health of their co-workers.
• English language proficiency is required for individuals appointed to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA.