Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. This job is open to current permanent Department of Veteran Affairs employees, current permanent Federal employees of other agencies and all US Citizens.

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The Physical Therapist delivers patient care using a four-step process that includes assessment, treatment planning, implementation of therapeutic interventions, and ongoing evaluation of outcomes. This position will primarily provide care in a domiciliary, other duty locations may be assigned dependent on need.

GS-12 (Full Performance Level):

• Practices autonomously at the full performance level, making clinically indicated recommendations and referrals to other specialties/services during ongoing assessment.
• Selects and applies equipment and assistive technology to substitute for loss or limited function, ensuring safety and efficacy.
• Performs general assignments across physical therapy service areas and, when required, serves as the sole PT in less complex settings; performs occasional ancillary assignments.
• Provides direct access care, independently making autonomous clinical decisions to evaluate and treat patients across Outpatient, Inpatient, and CLC settings.
• Performs comprehensive examinations and evaluations addressing musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and integumentary systems, integrating psychosocial and environmental factors.
• Interprets examination findings and diagnostic studies, selects appropriate clinical tests and measures, and integrates results into an evidence-based plan of care for the full range of patient populations.
• Establishes physical therapy diagnoses and identifies appropriate rehabilitation interventions, referring to other providers for further consultation when indicated.
• Determines physical therapy prognosis by incorporating examination findings with patient preferences to set clinically appropriate goals, optimize outcomes, and maximize functional independence.
• Selects and fits equipment to substitute for loss or limited function and trains patients/caregivers in safe and effective use.
• Develops and updates evidence-based treatment programs; reviews/analyzes treatment effectiveness; modifies plans of care to achieve patient-centered outcomes.
• Coordinates patient referrals and discharge planning with PT and Medical Center staff; participates in interdisciplinary rounds, specialty clinics, conferences, and provides patient presentations.
• Provides clinical oversight to Physical Therapist Assistants, delegating and supervising tasks consistent with scope, regulations, and patient safety.
• Serves as Clinical Instructor for PT and PTA students; delivers individualized clinical training experiences; observes and evaluates student performance using affiliated institutions' evaluation guides.
• Documents patient performance, response, and functional achievement toward goals; maintains timely, complete, and accurate records; assures productivity and quality care while providing cost-effective treatments.
• Mentors junior Physical Therapists, models outstanding clinical practice, and contributes to research and educational activities to advance physical therapy knowledge and techniques.
• Communicates clearly, courteously, and respectfully with patients, families, and stakeholders; clarifies information; responds to inquiries/complaints in a timely manner; refers inquiries appropriately; maintains confidentiality and privacy in all communications.
• Displays a cooperative attitude and works effectively with coworkers, supervisors, interdisciplinary team members, and other services to implement section, service, and organizational goals; identifies and resolves interpersonal/professional conflicts.
• Reports unusual difficulties involving patient treatment to the Supervisor, Acting Supervisor, or Service Chief of PM&RS, and the referring provider as needed.
• Availability for occasional travel and weekend work as needed to meet patient care and operational needs.

• PTs at this level are responsible for providing assessment and treatment intervention. PTs plan and modify treatment based on a patient's response to intervention and/or change in medical condition. PTs at this level may be given general assignments in any physical therapy program area where advanced specialized knowledge is not required or may serve as the sole PT such as in an outpatient clinic. Licensed PTs may provide oversight and delegate patient care responsibilities to a Physical Therapist Assistant, and/or delegate non- patient care duties to non-licensed staff. PTs that are not licensed must practice under the close supervision of a licensed PT

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.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

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. Individuals must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f).
• Education. Candidates must have:
  • A bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. OR
  • A master's in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. OR
  • A doctorate degree in physical therapy.
    • NOTE: Individuals must be a graduate of a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredited college or university. The CAPTE is the only accreditation agency recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) to accredit entry-level physical therapy programs. Verification of accredited programs may be obtained from the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) at www.apta.org.
    • Foreign Graduates. Graduates of foreign physical therapy programs meet the above requirements 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- 4 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. All applicants must 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.
  • Loss of Credentials: A PT who fails to maintain the required license must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment. At the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may be reassigned to another occupation, if qualified, and if a placement opportunity exists.

• Experience/Education. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level; OR a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or three academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a degree in kinesiotherapy or an exercise science related field.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs:
  • Skill in communicating and coordinating with patients, families, caregivers, and other health care professions to facilitate the multidisciplinary treatment process.
  • Knowledge of evidence-based kinesiotherapy to provide skilled rehabilitation interventions to a wide variety of patients having multiple disabilities.
  • Ability to conduct independent assessments using highly specialized evaluations and diagnostic tests.
  • Knowledge of learning principles, behavioral intervention, and innovational techniques for patient and caregiver education.
  • Ability to adapt assessment tools and treatment to the complexity of the diagnosis or disabilities and demonstrate the clinical reasoning necessary to identify the need for further in-depth specific assessment of function and utilization of non-standard methods and techniques.
  • Ability to use clinical reasoning necessary to identify the need for further in depth specific assessment and/or continuation of treatment.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Area of Consideration: Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:

1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility.
2. All other VA employees.
3. Current permanent Federal employees of other agencies.
4. All other applicants.