at Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration in Togus, Maine, United States
Job Description
Summary The incumbent functions as the Safe Patient Handling and Mobility Coordinator, under Safety Services, and working with all services, patient, and non-patient care within the VA Maine Healthcare System (VAMHS). Responsibilities Incumbent functions as a Safe Patient Handling and Mobility Program Coordinator, assigned to Occupational Safety and Health Services in this Level 1C Medical Center. Incumbent will spend 100% of time in performance of duties directly related to the Safe Patient Handling and Mobility program at VA BHS. This includes, but is not limited to ergonomic assessments, training for all staff in all areas for SPHM program and use of equipment, data collection, analysis of data, track and trend data, action plans, briefing leadership, leading of unit peer leader program (UPL) for SPHM, strategic planning, and participation in construction projects for inclusion of SPHM equipment. The SPHM Coordinator Program Coordinator is responsible for coordinating all training activity for SPHM Technology within the Medical Center for the VA Maine Healthcare System and CBOC locations, which includes collaborating with all services including inpatient, and outpatient therapists in PM&RS Service. Incumbent’s responsibilities include but are not limited to: serving as a subject matter expert in SPHM and providing information about SPHM Program to upper management, service chiefs, supervisors, front line workers, patients and caregivers concerning implementation, maintenance and evaluation of the SPHM Program following all national VHA guidelines. Responsible for collecting of staff injury data, investigating incidents and providing leadership with best practices and actions to prevent staff and patient injuries. The incumbent will assist with developing practices and procedures of Safe Patient Handling and Mobility, Ergonomics, Physical therapy services that are necessary to plan and direct the wide range of SPHM activities relating to the overall implementation and operation of the SPHM Program in a large, highly affiliated VA medical Center. The SPHM Coordinator will be responsible for working with a wide range of services including but not limited to PM&RS, Radiology, Spinal Cord Injury, Nursing, Geriatrics and Extended Care, Surgery, Specialty Clinics, Primary Care, Mental Health, Medical Service, Cardiology, Home Based Primary Care, Radiology and Telehealth in implementing this very important SPHM Program throughout the entire facility with preventing staff and patient injuries. Work Schedule: Monday – Friday; 8:00AM -4:30PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Title/Functional Statement #:Safe Patient Handling and Mobility Coordinator – Physical Therapist/PDF03773 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment 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: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency Education and Experience: (1) Bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. OR; (2) Master’s degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. OR; (3) Doctorate degree in physical therapy. Licensure: Individuals hold 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. 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. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: GS-11: No Requirements beyond basic listed above GS-12: (a) Education, Experience and Licensure. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level, hold a valid unrestricted state license and demonstrate all the KSAs below: (b) Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities: 1. 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. 2. 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. 3. 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. 4. 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. 5. Ability to determine physical therapy prognosis by incorporating examination findings with the patient’s preferences in order to set clinically appropriate treatment goals, optimize outcomes and maximize functional independence. 6. Ability to independently provide clinical oversight of Physical Therapy Assistants as well as students on clinical affiliations who are in Doctoral PT Programs or PTA Programs. References: VA Handbook 5005; Part II; Appendix G-12 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 to GS-12. Physical Requirements: The work involves continued walking, standing, stooping, some lifting, sitting, pulling and providing extensive training over long periods of time in use of equipment to direct care providers. Additionally, the incumbent is required to work at a computer workstation to complete his/her documents for purchasing, data collection and/or administrative needs. Frequently, the incumbent will need to drive a government vehicle. Incumbent will be required to travel to all campuses of VA MHS (VA Maine Health Centers) and CBOC’s (Community Based Outreach Clinics). Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application. 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. V
