Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open only to current permanent employees of the Butler VA Medical Center and associated CBOCs. Note: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Videos

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

Major duties include but are not limited to:

• Receives patient referrals for evaluation, independently utilizes evaluation data to develop treatment plans, and modifies plans according to progress and patient preferences to meet goals and maximize functional independence
• Appropriate evaluation tools that are consistent with client diagnosis, history and subjective complaints; identifies impairments; identifies signs and symptoms that substantially impact treatments and integrates findings into plan of care, consulting with other disciplines and referring practitioners
• Performs Electromyelography (EMG) Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS) only upon the referral from a medical provider. Knowledgeable of Pennsylvania physical therapy state practice guidelines governing the performance of the procedure functions within this regulation. Prepares a statement of his/her impression of the results, which is reviewed by the referring medical provider for analysis and diagnosis
• Utilizes knowledge to modify treatment plans and to identify therapeutic activity interventions based on the changing needs, goals, and performance of patients
• Serves as a consultant for health care providers regarding the delivery of EMG examinations. Teaches and mentors Medical Center staff in this specialized area
• Maintains contact with other health care providers via written, telephone, and personal communication on a regular basis. Establish discharge planning recommendations to ensure safe discharge
• Seeks educational opportunities to maintain current clinical knowledge in EMG/NCS; maintains competency in EMG/NCS testing
• Understanding of theories of physical therapy, aquatic therapy, and the proper applications of such treatments, directs Physical Therapy Assistants in performance of proper patient treatment
• Establishes intervention priorities, determines prognosis and specific further assessment needs, the need for modifying or discontinuing physical or aquatic therapy services, and determining specific tasks that can be delegated to the PTA
• Interprets findings and educates patients/families about disease process, purpose of treatment, and patient's rights and responsibilities to improve compliance with treatment
• Elicits patient participation in implementing physical or aquatic therapy objectives and goals. Employs motivational techniques to ensure patient participation in treatment
• Teaches exercises and movements to prevent or to lessen impact of restrictions and deformities. Instructs patients regarding limitations of the muscle and bones following surgery or impairment to educate
• Evaluates patient's need for assistive devices and recommends adjustments to prosthetic/orthotic devices or makes minor adjustments on devices and adaptive equipment. Completes evaluations and fittings for custom braces and other specialized equipment
• Works effectively with other therapists, other clinical providers, CBOC and CLC staff to provide appropriate case management to referred Veterans. Clear communication, managing priorities of care, and adapting treatment procedures and interventions to meet the overall physical therapy/electrophysiology needs
• Completes progress notes in the electronic health record on patients assigned, including observations of patients' functional status, behaviors pertinent to rehabilitation, relevant short- and long term goals, progress towards discharge, and disposition recommendations
• Compliant with consult management and scheduling guidelines
• Collaborates with the PMRS Chief to review clinic utilization by using various reports to ensure clinic set up effectively supports the program and makes necessary adjustments
• Participates in defining performance goals for ECS, physical and aquatic therapy that are consistent with the Medical Center goals and participates in performance improvement activities
• Contributes to the knowledge and techniques in physical therapy by participating in the facility education programs, clinical training for physical therapist and PTA students. Ability to teach, successfully mentor and guide staff to effectively serve as a consultant for health care providers
• Understand and meets accreditation standards as presented in The Joint Commission (TJC) and/or the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) manuals as the standards relate to rehabilitation disciplines
• Required to safely and proficiently maintain a safe clinical environment through routine inspection of equipment, therapy tub, and request work orders for maintenance/repairs
• Demonstrates knowledge, skill, and ability to recognize and respond appropriately to emergency situations. Maintains BLS and First Aid certifications; maintains Basic Water Rescue Certification
• Provides ECS/physical therapy coverage to other clinics, CBOC and CLC as assigned.

Work Schedule: 7:00am - 5:30pm Alternate work schedule: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday

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 trial period.
• 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.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• 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.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Note: Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

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: Must be proficient in spoken and written English.
• Basic Requirements; (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 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:
Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level and one of the following:

• (1) Evidence of a minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice directly in the specialty area. This time must be between the past two and five years; OR
• (2) Board Certification in the specialty area recognized by the ABPTS; OR
• (3) Completion of a fellowship program; OR
• (4) An additional advanced degree in a related field.

Specialized Experience: Must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the journey level (GS-12) that is directly related to the position to be filled (GS-13). Examples of this experience include; Independently providing assessment and treatment interventions to inpatients and outpatients received through healthcare provider referrals and patient self-referrals, 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. Practice autonomously, making recommendations and referrals to other medical specialties/services as clinically indicated during ongoing assessment of patients under their care.

GS-13 Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs (knowledge, skills, and abilities):

• Advanced knowledge and expert skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in a specialized treatment area of physical therapy.
• Ability to serve as a consultant and subject matter expert for health care providers regarding the delivery of care within a specialized content area of physical therapy.
• Ability to teach and mentor medical center staff in a specialized content area of physical therapy.
• Ability to guide the work of a multi-disciplinary team in a specialized content area of physical therapy.
• Advanced knowledge and expert skill to perform and interpret specialized procedures and tests in evaluating the treatment outcomes in the assigned specialty content area.

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 GS-13.

Physical Requirements: In Accordance With 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.