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 position. 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:

• Chooses 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
• Independently evaluates and assesses self-referred patients and provides autonomous care decisions
• Serves as the first-line contact for Veterans who present to PACT with acute, subacute, and/or chronic nMSK conditions, conducts same-day evaluations, provides immediate interventions, and triages each patient. Conducts evaluations that incorporate range of motion, flexibility, strength testing, balance, and functional measures to guide diagnosis and treatment
• Performs specialized neuromuscular and vestibular assessments, utilizing advanced clinical testing to accurately differentiate between central and peripheral causes of dizziness and other balance disorders
• Interprets findings, educates patients, support persons about disease process, purpose of treatment, and patient's rights and responsibilities to improve treatment
• Demonstrates advanced skill in orthopedic and vestibular patient evaluation, including the use of Upper and Lower Quarter Screens and the identification of upper motor neuron findings that require referral to other medical provider
• Reassesses patients with acute needs at sooner intervals following initial evaluation to ensure improvement and to modify the treatment plan
• Incorporates musculoskeletal ultrasound as part of physical evaluation procedures
• Teaches exercises/movements to prevent occurrence or lessen impact of restrictions and deformities. Instructs patients regarding limitations of the muscles and bones following impairment or surgery to educate
• Provides timely, closed-loop communication with referring providers following evaluations and treatment
• Makes medication recommendations to providers, to optimize rehabilitation outcomes
• Recommends referrals to appropriate specialties, such as Neurology, Rheumatology, Imaging
• Evaluates patient's need for assistive devices, recommends adjustments to prosthetic/orthotic devices. Ensures timely delivery of durable medical equipment by utilizing the WIC stockroom to issue prosthetics on the same day as evaluation and treatment
• Monitors multiple communication channels to triage consultation requests, manage patient flow, and maintain efficient clinic operations
• Completes electronic progress notes, at required intervals, including observations of patients' functional status, behaviors pertinent to rehabilitation, relevant goals, and disposition recommendations
• Reviews and triages incoming physical therapy consults and redirects care to PACT PT for same-day evaluation
• Maintains productivity consistent with PMRS expectations while accommodating same-day access and the needs of unscheduled patients
• Offers ongoing education for PACT and WIC providers regarding differential diagnosis, MSK assessment and care, direct access practice, and physical therapy
• Offers in service programs for Primary Care, PACT, DRRTP, CBOCs, and PMRS staff to promote understanding and benefits
• Demonstrates understanding of theories of physical therapy, aquatic therapy, and the proper applications of such treatments in all healthcare settings. Directs students and/or Physical Therapy Assistants in 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 determines specific tasks that can be delegated to the Physical Therapy Assistant
• Elicits patient participation in implementing physical or aquatic therapy objectives and goals in restoring or maintaining patient performance
• Utilizes connected care modalities when appropriate to better meet the needs of patients
• Leads continuous process improvement projects focused on PACT PT integration, workflow, efficiency, and outcomes
• Provides consultation and SME in the development of clinical procedures, quality assurance standards and interdisciplinary care processes
• Contributes to the knowledge and techniques in relation to physical therapy. Demonstrates the ability to teach, successfully mentor and guide staff, and to effectively serve as a consultant for health care providers
• Meets accreditation standards as presented in The Joint Commission (TJC) as the standards relate to rehabilitation disciplines.
• 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 physical therapy coverage to other clinics, CBOC and CLC when necessary

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

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.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 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.

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 position 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.