Clarification from the agency

This position is open to current Facility Employees, VA Employees, other Federal Agency Employees, and the Public. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position.

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Duties include:

• Performs physical therapy evaluation and treatment for outpatients and employees, having a variety of disabilities. These cases may be complex in nature with chronic and acute disease entities including but not limited to pain, orthopedic problems, joint replacement, central nervous system disorders, joint diseases, circulatory and pulmonary diseases, diabetes mellitus, altered thought processes and multi- system disease combinations. Determines the most appropriate plan of care relative to the patient's diagnosis and age. Skills were obtained through formal education and are maintained by continuing education.
• Employs motivational techniques to enlist patient participation and adapts equipment and procedures to carry out a full range of complex treatment activities.
• Evaluates patient's condition upon appropriate referral to physical therapy to determine treatment plan. Refers the patients to the appropriate care provider within the local VA system when determined to be necessary. Communicates effectively verbally and in writing when such referrals are indicated.
• Performs and interprets results of tests and measurements for use in preparing for modification and/or evaluation of patient treatment, and adjusts the treatment based on changes in patient's condition.
• Evaluates patient's needs with respect to prescribed braces, orthotics, and other appliances, and determines which suits the patient best, and recommends necessary modifications to provide for proper fit.
• Sets priorities, delegate tasks, and solve problems to meet multiple deadlines and identify/address organizational problems.
• Contributes to the development of and completes performance evaluations for assigned PT staff. Provides information to CBOC Medical Director regarding promotions, reassignment, and recognition of outstanding performance and personnel needs. Skill in forging positive interpersonal relationships and conflict resolution.
• Assigns and monitors work of PT staff, based on the amount of work required and the employee's training and capabilities. Assures that ongoing treatment is provided in all clinical areas, which sometimes may necessitate performing duties of subordinates, within the scope of his/her physical therapy licensure.
• Provides orientation and training of new staff members in the service.
• Through coordinated work with the service administrative officer, (AO), informs medical director of equipment and supply needs that require the attention of the supervisor. Monitors equipment performance for safety and repair needs.
• Contributes to the development and monitoring of the PMR quality assurance program to monitor quality of care and/or effectiveness of treatment. This may be accomplished via chart reviews for documentation content and quality as well as other methods deemed appropriate by facility administration.
• Through collaboration with service AO, collects, and compiles appropriate data for statistical and narrative reports. Submitting such reports in a timely fashion.
• Assures that employee leave is being adequately managed and correctly used. Depending on service needs, may act as primary or back-up approving official for timecard approval.
• Human resources administration, including the ability to interview and select qualified applicants, monitor and evaluate performance, and maintain effective labor management relations within scope of responsibility.
• Manages advocacy roles and planning activities within the VA and the greater rehabilitation community.
• Schedules patients for treatment, considering priority and frequency of care and coordinating schedules with other members of the treatment team. Flexibility of schedule must be maintained to allow for unscheduled patients.
• Documents performance and timely treatment and achievement of treatment goals, assuring a high level of productivity and cost-effective treatments are provided.
• Assures all documentation is completed in a timely manner on all patient visits.

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.
• 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 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. See Chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part.
• 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.
    • NOTE: Prior to 1995 the terminal degree for PT's was either a bachelors or master's degree. In 1995 CAPTE accredited all baccalaureate, master's, and Doctor of Physical Therapy terminal degree programs. Effective 2002, CAPTE changed its scope of accrediting activities of PT education programs to include only those programs that culminate in post baccalaureate degrees(eliminating the baccalaureate degree). Effective 2015, professional physical therapy education programs have only offered the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree to all new students.
    • 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.
• 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.

• GS-13
  • 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.
    • 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 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.

• 1 + year of supervisory experience in an outpatient setting.
• 1 + year of VHA experience working as a Physical Therapist
• Previous management experience within a VHA Healthcare System-Physical Therapy department.
• Previous or current experience with assessment and treatment in an outpatient setting.
• Ability to assess and treat patients with chronic pain using a biopsychosocial approach.
• Familiarity with providing Physical therapy assessment and follow up using virtual care options including telephone or video platforms.

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.