Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. This position is open only to current, permanent employees of VISN 4 Veterans Health Administration Eastern Market comprised of the following locations: Coatesville, Lebanon, Philadelphia, Wilkes-Barre, & Wilmington.

Videos

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

VAFit offers virtual and in-person group exercise classes for Veterans of all ages and abilities, including sessions on General Fitness, Back Pain, Low Vision and Women's Health. The program benefits Veterans with orthopedic issues, weakness, and limited cardiovascular endurance, supporting the Whole Health Initiative through injury prevention, physical activity, and camaraderie.

The incumbent will lead the VAFit Team, oversee administrative tasks, conduct fitness classes, and provide initial and ongoing assessments for participants. Strong leadership and organizational skills are required to motivate and engage Veterans in their wellness goals.

Duties include but not limited to:

CLINICAL:

1) According to department policies, incumbent is authorized to perform complex examinations and treatment of patients representing a wide scope of ages, as well as offering diagnoses, and rendering varied modalities inherent in their profession.

2) Patient Evaluation: Demonstrates the advanced knowledge and skills necessary to provide and guide treatment appropriate to patients across a range of complexities. Demonstrates knowledge of the changes associated with the aging/disease processes as well as the ability to assess the patient's status to interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-related, physical, psychosocial and cultural needs inclusive of recognized the need to include caregivers into the individualized treatment programs.

3) Patient Treatment: After initial evaluation of patient, formulates progressive treatment plans and goals, and is responsible for implementation, modification, and documentation of the treatments. Apply advanced treatment methodologies and treatment theories in the provision of care to a vast array of functional impairments and patients, as well as provide clinical practice guidance for other staff physical/occupational therapists. Monitor and evaluate clinically appropriate treatment programs.

EDUCATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

1) Professional Growth and Continuing Competency: Maintains a high level of professional competence by continuing participation in learning experiences and continuing education courses. Participates in and attends physical therapy in-services as well as hospital-wide in-services. Attends mandatory in-service training as required by VHA, PM&R Service and PT policies.

2) Student Supervision: Has a responsibility to the profession and this facility to provide instruction to PT and OT Assistant students assigned to this facility for clinical instruction and possesses skills commensurate with that responsibility.

3) Community Responsibility: May serve as a resource person to the community, VISN, and VHA nationally in matters relating to physical therapy and the needs of the Veteran population.

COLLATERAL DUTIES:

1) Performs duties and responsibilities that may be assigned from time to time to support the overall mission of the medical center or the PM&R Service. Assignments would be consistent with skills and knowledge.

2) Administrative tasks include attending Eastern Market Team meetings, reviewing returned diagnostic testing, TMS responsibilities, and other CME requirements.

3) Travel to other Eastern Market facilities may be required as an extension of care for the specialty service and will be dictated by Eastern Market Director of Clinical Operations.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 0730-1600
Telework: Ad-hoc telework approved in accordance with VHA policy.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
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.

• 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

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 the 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.

NOTE: Individuals must be a graduate of a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredited college or university. The CAPTE is the only accreditation agency recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) to accredit entry-level physical therapy programs. Verification of accredited programs may be obtained from the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) at www.apta.org.

Foreign Graduates: Graduates of foreign physical therapy programs meet the requirements in subparagraph 3b if they have a full unrestricted and current license to practice physical therapy in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. The Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT) is a non- 4 profit organization created to assist the United States (U.S.) Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly INS) and U.S. state licensing authorities by evaluating the credentials of Foreign Educated Physical Therapists (FEPTs) who wish to immigrate and work in the U.S.

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.

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-13 Physical Therapist (Supervisory)

Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

• Knowledge of contemporary physical therapy across multiple areas of practice, and the demonstrated ability to apply this knowledge to provide clinical guidance to Staff PTs within the department.
• Knowledge of human resources administration, including such functions as the ability to interview and select qualified applicants, monitor and evaluate performance, and maintain effective labor management relations within scope of responsibility.
• Ability to effectively supervise, direct, and manage a diverse physical therapy staff.
• Skill in forging positive interpersonal relationships and conflict resolution.
• Ability to analyze clinically appropriate data effectively to optimize quality, performance, and productivity within the section.
• Ability to set priorities, delegate tasks, and solve problems in order to meet multiple deadlines and identify/address organizational problems.
• Ability to manage advocacy roles and planning activities within the VA and the greater rehabilitation community.

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.