Clarification from the agency

This vacancy announcement is an "external" (public) job announcement. Current permanent VA employees are encouraged to apply under the "internal" announcement to receive consideration based on their current employment status. Internal Announcement: CAZM-12428062-24-BC

Videos

VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY

A. Clinical:
Candidates must be licensed for assignment at this grade level, and are considered to be at the full performance level. Staff PTs at this level are responsible for providing assessment and treatment intervention. They are assigned to all program areas which are covered by Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service and provide professional, independent physical therapy services in the assigned area. PTs at this level may be given general assignments in any physical therapy program area where the advanced specialized knowledge is not required on a recurring basis due to the patient population served and complexity of the facility and/or treatment area or may serve as the sole PT at a less complex facility. Individuals may perform ancillary assignments, including program management duties on an occasional basis, where the complexity and amount of work is not substantial (less than 25% of duty time).
1. Assigns, manages and evaluates work of subordinate staff.
2. Upon referral from a physician, evaluates patients in complex cases to determine functional status, identifies problems and needs for individualized therapy treatment.
3. Independently plans and develops comprehensive programs to meet patients' needs in the specialty program.
4. Reviews physical therapy documentation of initial findings, treatment goals estimated length of treatment, equipment recommendations, interim progress and discharge summary in patients' medical records.
5. Communicates effectively with physical therapy and medical center staff.
6. Works effectively with health care providers in coordinating the patients' total care.
7. Participates in conferences and assigned medical meetings.
8. Understands rationale for all clinic procedures and has good operating knowledge of all equipment in the Physical Therapy Clinic.

B. Administration
1. Assigns and evaluates work of subordinate staff.
2. Maintains attendance records and submits monthly reports and statistics.
3. Maintains procedures consistent with STVHCS policies. Assists in the development of standards of care to ensure compliance with professional accrediting organizations.
4. Maintains all data for quality assurance monitoring and evaluates data at specific intervals.
5. Maintains adequate level of supplies.
6. Maintains equipment in safe and operable condition through inspection and submission of work orders, as necessary.
7. Other duties as assigned.

C. Education
1. Supervises and trains physical therapy students and volunteers. If assigned, acts as clinical education coordinator for the P.T. section.
2. Provides in-services training for physical therapy staff and other professionals, as necessary. Orients Visitors and volunteers to the role of physical therapy.
3. Maintains professional state license and competency through continuing education with completion in each biennium of 3.0 Continuing Education Units (CEU's).

D. Customer Service Requirements1. Communicates in a clear, courteous and respectful way with patients, visitors, coworkers and suppliers. Clarifies information received.
2. Monitors customer satisfaction on an ongoing basis through random interviews with patients and takes appropriate action to assure customer satisfaction.
3.Responds to customers' requests, inquiries and complaints. Provides appropriate follow-up for customers.

E. Age, Development and Cultural Needs of Patients Requirements
In the provision of care to patients, from young adult to the old-age categories, the incumbent recognizes the age-related needs and demonstrates knowledge and care appropriate of that age group. The incumbent considers the cognitive, physical, emotional and chronological maturation needs of the patient(s), demonstrates competence and correctly provides appropriate care for the age group(s).

F. Computer Security Requirements
Protects printed and electronic files containing sensitive data in accordance with the provision of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, federal regulations, VA statutes and policy and VHA policy. Protects the data from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration or unauthorized deletion. Follows applicable regulations, HIPAA Privacy and Security procedures and instruction s regarding access to computerized files, release of access codes, etc.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 0730-1600, negotiable
Telework: Telework (Ad-hoc)
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: N/A
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 examination.
• 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

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. The individual must meet at least one of the requirements below:
• Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. (Or)
• Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. (OR),
• 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.
• 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.
• 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. See Chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part.

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 Physical Therapist (Entry)

• Education, Experience, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. (NOTE: See exception to licensure requirement in subparagraph 3c above.)

Assignment. 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.

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.

Assignment. At the full performance level, PTs are responsible for independently providing assessment and treatment interventions to inpatients and outpatients received through healthcare provider referrals and patient self-referrals. Guided by differential and movement diagnoses, PTs perform 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 personal and environmental factors. PTs interpret findings from examination, diagnostic studies/medical tests and, during evaluation, select appropriate clinical tests and measures, and then integrate findings into the physical therapy plan of care for the full range of patient populations. PTs establish a diagnosis within the scope of physical therapy and identify the appropriate intervention to treat and/or refer to another provider for further consultation when needed. They determine physical therapy prognosis by incorporating examination findings with the patient's preferences for meaningful level of function in order to set clinically appropriate treatment goals and optimize outcomes. Physical therapists select appropriate equipment needed to substitute for loss of function or to substitute for limited function of individuals they treat. Staff PTs at this level practice autonomously, making recommendations and referrals to other medical specialties/services as clinically indicated during ongoing assessment of patients under their care. The staff PT may also develop and provide individualized clinical training experiences for physical therapy students in facilities with established clinical experience rotations. PTs at this level may be given general assignments in any/all areas where physical therapy services are deemed necessary, and/or may serve as the sole PT at a less complex facility. Individuals may perform ancillary assignments as deemed appropriate given the needs of a facility on an occasional basis, where the amount of work is not substantial (less than 25% of the duty time).

Preferred Experience:
2 years or more of outpatient experience
Board certification in orthopedics (OCS)
1+ year experience working independently in direct access environments
Advanced certifications (eg; spinal manipulation, manual therapy, personal training)
Demonstrate ability to operate autonomously and independently

References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/99 PART II APPENDIX G12, Physical Therapist Qualifications Standard, 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.

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, resume, 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.