Clarification from the agency

Open to current permanent Miami VA Healthcare System - Bruce W. Carter VA Medical Center facility employees only. The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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The Physical Therapist primary function is to provide direct patient care at the Bruce W. Carter VA Medical Center for Primary Care PACT. Incumbent demonstrates a high degree of independence and professional judgment in planning and executing treatment programs to meet routine to complex treatment objectives for the Primary care and general outpatient physical therapy population. The incumbent independently evaluates and assesses patients self-referred through direct patient referral to determine the treatment course to be followed. The incumbent performs specialized tests and measurements of relevant body systems using various methods including specific methods specialized for the Primary care and general outpatient populations. The incumbent is knowledgeable and independent in medical screening for direct access provision of PT services. The incumbent performs and interprets results of tests and measurements of the patient's condition for use in preparing a treatment plan, modifying a treatment plan, and evaluating results of treatment. The individual demonstrates advanced and continuously growing skill in the area of Primary care and general outpatient patient population evaluation including the use of specialized outcome measures. The incumbent exercises originality in solving problems not covered by this guide, makes innovative adaptations of the clinical procedures herein to meet the complex and highly varying needs of the general/musculoskeletal outpatient population and advises all other health care team members and students in this regard. Duties may include but are not limited to:

• Responsible for making autonomous clinical decisions in a Direct Access environment. This includes ability to independently evaluate and treat patients who seek physical therapy services
• Providing treatment to patients with the diagnoses of upper and lower extremity orthopedic surgery; degenerative conditions of the spine including spinal stenosis, spondylosis, and spondylolisthesis; mild to severely impaired patients with stroke and other brain injury; musculoskeletal disorders; central and peripheral neurological diagnoses; and cardio/pulmonary conditions status post-surgery or medical treatment.

• Establishes meaningful, realistic ad measurable therapeutic goals and designs a treatment plan to meet the goals established in the most efficient manner. Completes appropriately timed reevaluations for the patients and modifies the goals based on the information gained by reevaluation. Communicates effectively with medical providers as needed.
• Demonstrates advanced knowledge and expert skill to perform and interpret specialized procedures and tests in evaluating the treatment outcomes in primary care PT populations (e.g. comprehensive multisystem assessments beyond the musculoskeletal system including cardiopulmonary, integument, neurologic, lymphatic, pain and function). Advanced ability to incorporate relevant findings from laboratory tests, pulmonary function tests, imaging and other medical tests in the comprehensive management of the PACT PT population.
• The clinician is expected to provide physical therapy on VA supported virtual platforms as well as face to face interventions.
• The clinician will interact with all stakeholders in a courteous, respectful and helpful manner actively supporting the Mission and Vision of the Miami V AHCS and PMR.
• The Physical Therapist will adhere to all patient confidentiality, HIPPA and cyber security regulations with respect to patient information in compliance with the Medical Center's "Patient Rights and Responsibilities".
• Serves as a resource person to the Community and/or the Facility in matters related to Primary care PACT, the delivery of health care, and the needs of the veteran population.
• In addition, the therapist is responsible for his/her own professional development, keeping current with treatment techniques as well as licensure.
• He/She may be assigned to all program areas which are covered by the Service and provide professional, independent physical therapy services in the assigned area. The therapist is responsible for maintaining comprehensive knowledge and skills for each therapy area

Compressed/Flexible: May be authorized based on the needs of the department
Telework: Not Authorized
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized


Work Schedule:

Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

(Note: Work schedules are determined and approved by the supervisor. The incumbent may be required to work various shifts on a permanent or temporary basis based on facility/patient care needs).

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 identification 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: Be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).
• Education and/or Experience-Transcripts Supplied - The individual must meet at least one of the following requirements below:
  • Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist.-OR-
  • Master's Degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist.-OR-
  • Doctorate degree in physical therapy.

PLEASE NOTE: Individuals must be a graduate of a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredited college or university.

Foreign Graduates - Graduates of foreign physical therapy programs meet the requirements if they have a current, full, active, and unrestricted license to practice physical therapy in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia.

• State Licensure. Candidates must possess a full, current, and unrestricted state license to practice physical therapy in a state, territory or Commonwealth of the United States (i.e. Puerto Rico), or in the District of Columbia.
  • EXCEPTION: Non-licensed physical therapists (PT's), who otherwise meet the Basic Requirements, may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate PT at the GS-11 grade level for a period not-to-exceed two years.
• 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

Grade Determinations for Physical Therapist GS-13:

• GS-13 Experience, Education, AND Licensure (Submitted): In addition to meeting the basic requirements, one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level MUST be licensed AND possess at least one (1) year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level directly related to the position being filled.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs:
• 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 10 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

Preferred Experience: PT with Experience

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/OHRM/QualificationStandards/HT38/0633-PhysicalTherapist.pdf

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13.

Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 pounds or over); light carrying (under 15 pounds); straight pushing (.5 hours); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking (.5 hours); standing (.5 hours); crawling (.5 hours); kneeling (.5 hours); repeated bending (1 hour); climbing, legs only (.5 hours); climbing, use of legs and arms; operation of crane, truck, tractor or motor vehicle; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; specific visual requirement (corrective lenses okay); both eyes required; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid may be permitted); mental and emotional stability.

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.