Videos

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

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Provide assessment and treatment interventions to inpatients and outpatients received through healthcare provider referrals and patient self-referrals.
• Provide in-service and clinical training programs as assigned by the Physical Therapy Supervisor and respective chain of command.
• Design, conduct, and evaluate educational experiences on physical therapy subject matter for staff members and seek educational opportunities to enhance the Physical Therapy Department, PM&RS, and GLAVAHCS.
• Establish and maintain contact with other key staff involved in patient care via written, telephone, and personal communication on a regular basis at the GLA HCS, and VISN 22.
• Maintain timely data input utilizing care plans, initial assessments and /or specialty protocols as part of an ongoing process in coordination with other key interdisciplinary staff to provide effective patient care.
• Represent the Physical Therapy Department and PM&RS at various clinical and administrative meetings/rounds at the discretion of the Physical Therapy Supervisor(s).
• Perform physical therapy evaluation and treatments, male and female, ages ranging from adult to geriatric, having a variety of disabilities in person and via telehealth.
• Perform and interpret results of tests and measurements for use in preparing for modifications to ensure the safe functioning of each patient treatment, and adjusts the treatment based on changes in patient's condition.
• Primarily support Women's Health Primary Care Clinic and Pelvic Health PR growth.
• Provide education/training support to other disciplines as needed specific to Women's Health/Pelvic Health PT topics.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 0730-1600 or 0800-1630, occasional weekend and/or holiday coverage.
Compressed/Flexible:Not available
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
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.
• 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:

Citizenship. Citizen of the United States.

Experience and Education.

• 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). All licensed PTs employed in VHA on the effective date February 7, 2019 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.

GRADE DETERMINATIONS:
GS-12
Experience: In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level AND demonstrate all the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below:

1. Ability to make autonomous clinical decisions in a Direct Access environment.
2. Skill in performing examinations/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/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.
5. Ability to determine physical therapy prognosis by incorporating examination findings with the patients' 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 (PTA) as well as student on clinical affiliations who are in Doctoral PT Programs or PTA Programs.

References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/99 PART II APPENDIX G12

The full performance level of this vacancy is 12.

Physical Requirements: The incumbent must demonstrate the ability to walk distances within the facility on a daily basis, and tolerate standing, repeated bending, reaching overhead, and pushing Veterans and objects for up to four hours a regular shift, prolonged sitting, and physically assist patients with moderate lifting and carrying of up to 15-44 pounds. Safe handling and lifting techniques are to be used based on current policy of the facility in relation the Safe Patient Handling and Movement Program.

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.