Clarification from the agency

Open to current permanent employees of the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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The duties of the Physical Therapist include, but are not limited to:

Clinical

• Independently solves complex treatment problems related to physical therapy, using advanced knowledge to adapt and modify treatment plans, activities, and procedures to meet the needs of the patients across multiple areas of practice.
• Evaluates patients with simple and complex diagnoses to identify specific physical therapy treatment problems. Using a wide range of knowledge across multiple areas of physical therapy, the incumbent develops a specific physical therapy treatment plan for each patient utilizing evidenced based practice

• Supervises and coordinates all aspects of PMRS care at all 8 CAVHS CBOC locations and provides necessary reports and feedback to PMRS leadership upon request

• Supervises and coordinates PMRS services provided at all CAVHS CBOC locations across multiple disciplines including physician, APN, Chiropractor, RN, physical therapy and occupational therapy including assignment of work for evaluation and treatment of patients referred to PMRS Community Based Rehab Unit. Clinics include a variety of specialty areas including Physician Pain procedures, CIH, Hand Specialty, Telehealth, Cardiac, Home-Based Care, Musculoskeletal, Outpatient, Hand, Orthopedic, and Wheelchair.
• Supervises and coordinates the review of all PMRS CBOC Outpatient consults to determine appropriateness of physical and occupational therapy orders. Contacts referring providers for further clarification of orders as necessary and educates referring providers on services provided by PMRS.
• Supervises and coordinates the review of all PMRS CBOC Outpatient consults to correctly triage patients for timely physician, physical therapy and/or occupational therapy intervention to ensure maximal functional outcomes.
• Determines department priorities, assigns work, and ensures that established productivity is maintained across multiple disciplines including physical therapy, chiropractic, nursing, occupational therapy, rehabilitation therapy assistants, and medical support assistants.

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.
• Must possess a valid, unrestricted state issued driver's license.
• Must be able to independently operate Government Vehicle.
• Must provide clean driving record report from the DMV during the pre-employment process.
• 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

BASIC REQUIREMENTS. The basic requirements for employment as a VHA physical therapist are prescribed by Public Law 96-151 codified in 38 U.S.C. § 7402. To qualify for appointment, all applicants for the position of physical therapist in VHA must meet the following:

Citizenship: Candidates must be a citizen of the United States. After a determination is made that it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens, necessary personnel may be appointed on a temporary basis under authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 without regard to the citizenship requirements of 38 U.S.C. 7402 or any other law prohibiting the employment of or payment of compensation to a person who is not a citizen of the United States. Candidates must meet all other requirements for the grade and position concerned.

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

Grandfathering Provision. All licensed PTs employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard 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.(only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations:

GS-14 Physical Therapist (Supervisor, Service Care Line Manager or Service Chief)

Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify, you must possess one (1) year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level. Examples of creditable experience include but not limited to perform assignments in specialty areas such as geriatrics, neurology, cardiopulmonary, orthopedics, spinal cord injury, amputee, wound care, chronic pain, electromyography, women's health or pelvic health, polytrauma, brain injury, lymphedema, vestibular, assistive technology, seating and mobility; subject matter expert in the content specialty area and a consultant to physical therapy and other medical center staff in evaluating and treating patients in the specialty area; advanced knowledge and expert clinical practice skills in providing assessment and treatment interventions across the continuum of care; utilizes advanced knowledge and expertise to modify treatment plans and to identify therapeutic activity interventions based on the changing needs, goals and performance of patients; advanced training in specialized technology related to their area of practice.

In addition, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1. Advanced knowledge of evidence-based practices and clinical practice guidelines in multiple professional areas.
2. Skill in managing interpersonal relationships and conflict resolution in dealing with a range of employees, discipline lead(s), and administrators.
3. Ability to translate extensive rehabilitation knowledge into local policy development.
4. Ability to effectively supervise staff by providing clinical and administrative oversight. This includes ability to manage resources, evaluate employees and assign work.
5. Ability to collaborate with strategic planning committees at local, VISN or national levels for new ventures addressing patient care delivery systems, facilities management, system reorganizations, etc.

NOTE: Experience related to these KSAs MUST be evident in resume.

Preferred Experience:

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

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

Current permanent VA employees of the Central Arkansas Veteran Healthcare System

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.