Videos

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

• The employee is a licensed physical therapist who performs at the full performance level. Uses standard and non-standard methods for evaluating complex cases to identify problems and baseline levels of function.
• Skill in utilizing appropriate screening and evaluation techniques required to appropriately provide direct patient care. Knowledge of contemporary and evidence-based PT practice.
• Demonstrates knowledge of clinical signs and symptoms to make appropriate referrals for further medical attention/assessment as indicated.
• Demonstrates ability to interpret clinician prescriptions and referrals. Develops appropriate treatment plans and goals; performs complex treatment. Demonstrates ability to modify treatment according to the patient's changing medical condition.
• Measures, fits and instructs patients for the use of complex adaptive equipment and assistive devices.
• Skill in communicating, both orally and in writing, with patients, families, caregivers, and other health care professions to facilitate the multidisciplinary treatment process.
• Employee demonstrates knowledge and skill in communications appropriate to the age of patients served in the work area. The employee possesses knowledge of potential changes in communication skills which may occur in aging patients (potential for diminished hearing, vision, and mental acuity) and is able to compensate for these changes when appropriate to insure that effective communication has occurred.
• Employee demonstrates knowledge and skill to provide physical assistance to aging patients, considering potential difficulties with balance and ambulation and the increased possibility of damage or injury to skin and bones.
• Employee communicates readily with multidisciplinary treatment team advising the team of patient's needs and progress, exchanging discharge planning information with them. Written communication is accomplished in a timely fashion.
• Employee is responsible for the care, upkeep and sanitation of equipment used.
• Obtain a history, perform a physical examination and formulate a treatment plan to improve a patient's function. Telemedicine technology may be used for the assessment and treatment sessions.
• Performs other tasks as assigned by the Supervisor, Physical Therapy Department that are consistent with the mission of PM&RS and the Medical Center.

Work Schedule: Sunday - Thursday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 00000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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.

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: Degree. Graduate from a degree program in physical therapy from an approved College or university approved by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
Update February 7, 2018: Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree is a minimum education requirement. Effective 2015, all professional physical therapy education programs only offer the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree to all new students.

Licensure. Current, full, active, and unrestricted license to practice physical therapy in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or in the District of Columbia.

English Language Proficiency. PTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3j.

Knowledge of Contemporary Professional Physical Therapy Practice. To be creditable, experience must have demonstrated possession of the required knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics associated with the scope of physical therapy practice as outlined in the current Guide to Physical Therapist Practice, American Physical Therapy Association, and the Normative Model of Physical Therapist Education.


Preferred Experience: Inpatient Acute Care

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.


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.

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.