Clarification from the agency

NOTE: Open to current permanent VA employees, current permanent Federal employees of other agencies and all US Citizens. The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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The Physical Therapist at the full performance level demonstrates the ability to make autonomous clinical decisions in a Direct Access environment including the ability to independently evaluate and treat patients who seek physical therapy services. The Physical Therapist performs 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; with a focus on pelvic floor dysfunction; while considering the effects attributable to unique psychosocial and environmental factors. The Physical Therapist interprets findings from examination and evaluation, select appropriate tests and measures, and integrate findings into the physical therapy plan of care for the full range of patient populations.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Documents evaluations, goals, treatment plans, and rehabilitation potential, using standard format in patient's medical record as required by PM&R, The Joint Commission, and VA Providence Healthcare System standards.
• Properly stores and maintains clinical supplies and tools, including tagging and removing
  defective equipment until inspected and approved by biomedical engineering or
  appropriate personnel.
• Participates in Performance Improvement monitoring including the formulation of monitors, data collections, peer reviews, and preparation of reports in accordance with VA and Joint Commission guidelines.
• Evaluates home environment and environment of care, when indicated, to recommend changes or modifications that will facilitate function of patient at home.
• Documents in the electronic medical record all treatment interventions, as required by policies and procedures of the Service Line and accrediting bodies.

• This position is in the Excepted Service.
• This position is not a Bargaining Unit position.
• The incumbent may be required to travel to other VA campuses and CBOC's.
• This position is covered by locality-based comparability pay.
• Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held.
• Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment.

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.
• 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.
• Selectee must have a valid unrestricted driving license.
• Selectee must have a safe driving record.
• May be subject to satisfactory completion of our credentialing process.

• 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

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 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.

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.

OR

2) Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist.

OR

3) Doctorate degree 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.

Certification: Must have Pelvic Floor Therapy certification.

Grandfathering Provision: 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 DETERMINATION: GS-12 Physical Therapist (Full Performance Level) Education, Experience , KSA's and Licensure:

Experience: In addition to the basic requirements for education, candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level, examples of this experience include but are not limited to : provide assessment and treatment intervention; plan and modify treatment based on a patient's response to intervention and/or change in medical condition; serve as the sole PT such as in an outpatient clinic ; provide oversight and delegate patient care responsibilities to a Physical Therapist Assistant, and/or delegate non-patient care duties to non-licensed staff.

Licensure: Must hold a valid unrestricted state license.

Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities: Must demonstrate all the KSAs below:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

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.

Area of Consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:

1. Current permanent VA / Federal employees of other agencies.
2. Veterans Preference applicants.
3. All other applicants.

Note: Veterans' Preference is not applicable to VA employees or employees of other Federal agencies.