Clarification from the agency

Open to: Current Permanent Employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs and VA Nationwide employees. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Videos

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

• Plans a treatment program with measurable goals, based on evaluative findings and within the boundaries of the individual prescription.
• Incumbent exhibits a thorough understanding of the rehabilitation field with all its components to combine the different related disciplines into an effective team and deliver rehabilitation in its holistic approach.
• Assumes responsibility for the independent operations of the clinic. Incumbent secures work area and equipment to provide a clean and safe therapeutic environment.
• Supports and is involved in teamwork and/or team building both within the incumbent's service and other services.
• Represents Physical Therapy PM&RS at interdisciplinary team meetings and provides in-service training to hospital staff as needed.
• Monitors inventory equipment and supply needs for treatment and informs supervisor of needs.
• Compiles and submits statistical data required documenting patient attendance, therapist workload and Quality Assurance monitors. The supervisor is generally apprised of work performed through quality management reports, audits, and meetings.
• Maintains and carries out all hospital and service policies and philosophies.
• The incumbent demonstrates interest in professional growth by attending community or VHA sponsored workshops/seminar on physical related subjects.
• Provides accurate written and/or verbal documentation o patient status and progress, treatment program plans and patient response to treatment.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

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 appointed under the authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA, must be proficient in written and spoken English.

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 in Physical Therapy.
Licensure: Individuals 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. 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:

GS-11 Physical Therapist (Entry) Education, Experience, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-12Physical Therapist 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:
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: This position is approximately 50% pelvic floor physical therapy and 50% general outpatient physical therapy. Preference will be given to applicants with demonstrated experience and/or certification in pelvic floor rehabilitation and women's health physical therapy.

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

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: 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.