Clarification from the agency

1st Area of Consideration - Current permanent Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, including CBOCs. 2nd Area of Consideration - Current permanent VA Nationwide employees. 3rd Area of Consideration - Current permanent Federal employees of other Agencies.

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If you are NOT a current, permanent VA employee or Federal employee from another agency, you should apply under CBST-11846135-23-ARS.

This Physical Therapy position provides physical therapy services to intpatients with a variety of diagnoses, referred from Rehabilitation and Extended Care Line Providers, as well as from the Operative Care Line and other approved providers.

The duties of the Physical Therapist include, but are not limited to:

• Provides Physical Therapy services primarily in the 2nd floor PT/KT therapy clinic,and on the Rehab/Neuro and Ortho nursing units. Will also provide PT services inother therapy clinics and nursing units at MEDVAMC as needed/requested.
• Various other locations in and around the facility may also be utilized for Physical Therapy evaluation and treatment. This may include outings into the community.
• Follows referrals/consults from a physician or other approved provider, reviews the medical record and independently evaluates each patient to determine functional deficits and the best practice to accomplish rehabilitation goals.
• Evaluations include medical history, results and interpretation of appropriate functional tests and measurements such as: range of motion, muscle strength, sensory deficits, coordination, functional mobility, pain scales, etc.
• Utilizes standard and non-standard methods in the evaluation and interpretation of a wide variety of physical functional levels. Tests are frequently complex and may need to be adapted because of multiple physical disabilities or medical
  conditions. Utilizes FIM in assessing all rehab patients and other in/outpatients as indicated.
• Applies recognized Physical therapy treatment procedures correctly, safely, and modifies these techniques in such a manner as not to interfere with any traction devices, surgical drains, catheters, immobilizing appliances, respiratory aides, or monitoring devices.
• Evaluates for and recommends appropriate assistive devices and adaptive equipment as indicated. Accurately completes timely Prosthetics consults for recommended items. Fits devices appropriately for patient needs and instructs patient/care provider in the use of these devices.
• Develops appropriate home program for patient, as needed, prior to discharge. As indicated, instructs family or care provider in ways to assist patient to carry out the program.
• Consults with physicians, other therapists and medical personnel, the patient, and as indicated the family and/or caregiver, to maximize benefit of the patient's therapy program.
• Remains current in evidence based Physical Therapy evaluations, treatment techniques and related programming for patients with various musculoskeletal and neurologic diagnoses as well as other related diagnoses.
• Supervises and provides clinical oversight of Physical Therapy Assistants and students on clinical affiliations who are in Doctoral Physical Therapy Programs or Physical Therapy Assistants Programs accordance with APTA, TPTA, and affiliating institution fieldwork performance requirements or other applicable standards.
• Participates in all required Rehabilitation and Extended Care Line and MEDVAMC training including CPR, Infection Control, equipment and fire safety, patient privacy, computer security, etc.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm; Occasional weekends and holidays
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 580-00876-G
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized.
EDRP Authorized: For more information, contact demetrius.roberts@va.gov, EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

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: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• Education and Experience: The individual must meet at least one of the requirements below:
  (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.
• 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.
  • Exception: 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:
Physical Therapist, GS-0633-11 (Entry)
Education, Experience, and Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements.

Physical Therapist, GS-0633-12 (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.

Preferred Experience:
Current or previous experience with inpatient rehabilitation with knowledge of orthopedics, neurological disorders, and major multiple trauma

References: VA Handbook 5005/99 Part II Appendix G12, Physical Therapist, GS-0633, Qualification Standard, dated February 7, 2018. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.

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: Work requires typical physical requirements of working within a hospital facility, outpatient clinic, office, gymnasium or pool in the performance of job responsibilities. Physical exertion such as long periods of standing, or recurring and considerable crouching, bending, standing, stooping, stretching, walking or climbing/descending stairs. Employees frequently carry light items such as books, office supplies, instruments, occupational therapy supplies and other similar materials. Work also includes frequent lifting of moderately heavy items weighing less than 23 kilograms (i.e., under 50 pounds). May involve occasional exposure to conditions in facilities or hospital settings requiring safety precautions. Personal Protective Equipment may need to be worn in the course of your work day.

How you will be evaluated

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

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.