Career Center

Physical Therapist will independently develop and implement a treatment program utilizing judgement to modify the treatment as a result of changing medical conditions or because of variety of severe physical and mental disabilities. Delivers physical therapy services that reflect the philosophical base of physical therapy and are consistent with established principles and concepts of theory. Maintains current licensure, registration, or certification as required by laws and regulations. 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. Education and Experience: (1) Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. (2) Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. (3) Doctorate degree in physical therapy. Foreign Graduates. Graduates of foreign physical therapy programs meet the requirements in subparagraph 3b if they have a full unrestricted and current license to practice physical therapy in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. The Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT) is a non-profit organization created to assist the United States (U.S.) Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly INS) and U.S. state licensing authorities by evaluating the credentials of Foreign Educated Physical Therapists (FEPTs) who wish to immigrate and work in the U.S. Although the licensing of physical therapists in the U.S. is a right and responsibility of each jurisdiction, foreign educated individuals must undergo an educational credentials assessment for substantial equivalency to the first professional degree in the US. The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) is committed to protect the public and to provide leadership within the field and practice of physical therapy. FSBPT's Foreign Educated Standards Committee has developed standards that represent "best practices" in evaluation services. The Credentials Evaluation Standards were developed with input from the physical therapy credentialing agencies that are licensed to use FSBPT's Coursework Tool. 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. Physical Requirements. Pre-placement and periodic physical examinations are required for hybrid occupations to ensure workers are placed in positions where they can perform the essential functions of their job considering their physical, mental and emotional capacities, without endangering their health or the health of their co-workers. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency. Individuals appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA must be proficient in written and spoken English. 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). Grandfathering Provision. All licensed PTs employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (1) Employees grandfathered into the GS-0633 occupational series as PTs may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation. (2) PTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of this qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of this standard. (3) PTs initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration, meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard and must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. (4) If PTs who are grandfathered under this provision leave the occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Grade Determinations: GS-11 Physical Therapist (Entry) (a) Education, Experience, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-12 Physical Therapist (Full Performance Level) 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: 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 G12 dated February 7, 2018. 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: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over, Heavy carrying, 45 pounds and over, Pushing, Use of fingers, Walking, Standing, Kneeling, Repeated bending, Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, Ability to distinguish basic colors. Ability to distinguish shades of colors, Hearing (aid permitted), Emotional Stability. ["VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY CLINICAL\nEffectively communicates in the clinical medical record and other written and/or oral sources to promote positive communication, collaboration and teamwork. Uses standard and non-standard methods and techniques for evaluating and interpreting a wide variety of patient physical and psychosocial functional levels and for providing progressive treatment. Develops and initiates new treatment programs which apply current research findings. Knowledgeable about research in the practitioner's areas of practice. Applies timely research findings ethically and appropriately to evaluation and intervention processes and discusses applicable research findings with the PTA's and related physical therapy personnel to assure high quality of care to patients with single and multiple diagnoses. Reads and interprets consults to identify necessary elements and determine appropriateness of referral for assessment and evaluation of patients. Evaluates performance areas, performance components and performance context to establish a baseline level of functioning. Selects assessments to evaluate the client's level of function and follows defined protocols when standardized assessments are utilized. Educates clients and appropriate others about the purposes and procedures of the physical therapy evaluation. Develops and implements individualized treatment programs for patients when clients may have a functional limitation or disability or may be at risk for a disabling condition. Documents evaluation results, treatment plans, patient response to treatment and education given in accordance with the rehabilitation work unit, CARF and JCAHO requirements, as well as the APTA guidelines. Initial evaluations will be completed in a timely manner. Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary when performing his/her duties in providing care appropriate to adult/geriatric clients. Must demonstrate knowledge of age associated changes, illness and potential disabilities in order to work with adult/geriatric client's status, to identify client's requirements in providing the care needed as described in policies and procedures and following sound practice. Involves the client family or significant other in decision making related to the client's plan of care when appropriate. Analyzes, interprets and summarizes assessment data to determine the client's functional status and develop an appropriate intervention plan. Communicates evaluation results within the boundaries of client confidentiality to the appropriate person, group, or organization. Independently utilizes different and unrelated methods to evaluate and interpret specific physical and psychosocial problems of clients and carries out the appropriate therapy necessary to teach new or compensating skills to restore patient performance. Develops and documents an intervention plan that is based on the results of the physical therapy evaluation and the desires and expectations of the client and appropriate others about the outcome of service. Ensures the intervention plan is documented within time frames, formats and standards established by practice settings. Included in the intervention plan are client-centered goals that are clear, measurable, behavioral, functional, contextually relevant and appropriate to the client's needs, desires and expected outcomes. Reviews the interdisciplinary plan with the client and appropriate others. Implements the intervention plan through the use of specified purposeful activities or therapeutic methods that are meaningful to the client and are effective methods for enhancing physical performance. Informs clients and appropriate others regarding the relative benefits and risks of the intervention. Maintains or seeks current information on resources relevant to the client's needs. Re-evaluates during the intervention process and documents progress in the client's goals, performance and needs. Modifies intervention to reflect changes in client status, desires, and response to intervention. Discontinues services when the client has achieved predetermined goals, has achieved maximum benefit from physical therapy services, or does not desire to continue services. Prepares and implements a discharge plan. Investigates possible environmental barriers within the facility and the client's home/discharge environment that has the potential of hindering the client's independence or decreases safety. Performs home visits when appropriate. Preferred Experience - Previous Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) or Community Living Center (CLC) 2 years. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. May include working weekends/holidays to provide the necessary care to meet the veteran's healthcare needs.\nTelework: Not available.\nFunctional Statement #: Physical therapist\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required."]