Clarification from the agency

The area of consideration will be referred in the following order: 1) Current permanent Puget Sound VA HCS employees 2) Current permanent Agency (Department of Veterans Affairs) employees. 3) Current/former/future VA HPT graduates NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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Duties at the GS-12 (full-performance) grade level, include but are not limited to:

Clinical

• Uses advanced skills and knowledge of physical therapy theories and techniques to examine and evaluate patients as appropriate for their age and movement system diagnosis to determine current levels of functioning (range of motion, strength, balance, coordination, sensation, mobility, endurance, posture, and other musculoskeletal and neurologic assessments).
• Completes differential diagnosis process.
• Determines prognosis, and provides a customized and integrated plan of care to achieve the individual's goal-directed outcomes and eventual discharge plans.
• Develops and carries out physical therapy treatment to meet the individual rehabilitation goals which may include: therapeutic exercises, therapeutic procedures, therapeutic activities, gait training, balance training, neuromuscular re-education, manual therapy, electrical stimulation, modalities, traction, iontophoresis, biofeedback, strength/ endurance training, aquatic therapy techniques, functional mobility skills, wheelchair skills, equipment recommendations, self-care/home management training, and patient/ family education.
• Assess the need for and the patient's ability to use adaptive equipment including ambulatory assistive devices, manual wheelchairs, scooters, TENS units, etc.
• Continuously re-evaluates patient performance making appropriate modifications to the treatment plan as indicated.
• Documents in writing in the format identified by department, CARF, and JCAHO standards, the patient's evaluation, goals, patient/family education, patient's progress, equipment provided, and discharge summary.
• Requires an understanding of the problems of patients with multiple interacting medical and psychosocial issues allowing for thorough care.
• When dealing with patients who have a combination of physical and psychological problems, the physical therapist must be able to handle and de-escalate, and defuse volatile behavior which can occur.
• Adheres to infection control and hand hygiene policies and procedure.
• This work requires dealing with many decisions regarding adaption of established treatment procedures and equipment for the successful treatment of complex cases.
• Serves as a professional role model to other PT staff, PTs/Physical Therapy Assistants (PTA) students, and volunteers by providing efficient and quality patient care.

Education

• Provides patient and family education relating to each patient's diagnosis, prognosis, treatment plan, and goals established related to movement system, including functional strengths and weaknesses in areas of mobility.
• Independently provides clinical training, supervision, and clinical oversight of PTAs.
• Orients patients, medical residents, allied health professionals, community organizations, students and volunteers to the purpose and function of physical therapy within any area of PT service delivery.
• Provides clinical training and supervision of students on clinical affiliations who are in Doctoral PT Programs or PTA Programs.
• Participates in PT, RCS, and interdepartmental staff development programs.
• Provides at least one clinical in-service per year to PT students, PT/Rehabilitation Care Services (RCS) staff, or other facility departments or service lines as appropriate.
• Participates in interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary teams to deliver direct patient care.
• Models and encourages professional growth of PT colleagues.

Administrative

• Responsible for independently providing assessment and treatment interventions to inpatients and outpatients received through healthcare provider referrals and patient self-referrals.
• 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.
• Assists RCS PT Supervisors and other RCS Program Managers in identifying needs, and designing and implementing programs for the department as needed.
• Understands basics of coding for PT services, and captures workload accurately and timely.
• Participates in the collection of data for QI monitors, and outcome measures relating to services provided by PT as assigned by the RCS PT Supervisors and other RCS Program Managers.
• Is responsible for regularly monitoring consults, orders, and referrals received for PT to assure that they are appropriate.
• Follows all applicable laws, regulations and policies regarding confidentiality, computer security and software licensing; protects hardware, software and all sensitive information (both on screen and computer printouts).
• Completes other administrative duties as assigned by RCS PT Supervisor.

Work Schedule: Tuesday - Saturday, 7:30AM - 4PM
Telework: Ad-hoc only
Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Functional Statement #: 00000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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.

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. 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.
  • (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. (COPY OF TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED FOR ALL DEGREES)
• 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. (IF LICENSED, MUST PROVIDE COPY OF LICENSE)
• NOTE. Individuals who have or have had multiple licenses and had any such license revoked for professional misconduct, professional incompetency or substandard care, or who surrendered such license after receiving written notice of potential termination of such license by the state for professional misconduct, professional incompetence, or substandard care, are not eligible for appointment to the position unless such revoked or surrendered license is fully restored (38 U.S.C 7402(f)). Effective November 30, 1999, this is a requirement for employment. This requirement does not apply to licensed physical therapists on VA rolls as of November 30, 1999, provided the individual maintains a continuous appointment and is not disqualified for employment by any subsequent revocations or voluntary surrenders of State license, registration or certification.

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-12 Physical Therapist (Full Performance Level)
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:
Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities:
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.

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: Heavy lifting/carrying (45 lbs. and over), moderate lifting/carrying (15-44 lbs.), light lifting/carrying (under 15 lbs.), reaching above shoulders, use of fingers, both hands required, walking, standing, crawling, kneeling, repeated bending, both legs required, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, mental and emotional stability. Environmental factors includes working inside and outside, and working alone.

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.