Clarification from the agency

This job is open to current permanent North Texas Department of Veteran Affairs employees (first consideration), and current permanent Federal employees of other agencies. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position.

Videos

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

Clinical Functions
Applies advanced knowledge of contemporary physical therapy within specialty areas of amputee, geriatrics and seating and mobility to
provide clinical guidance, training or education for internal and external stakeholders. Performs highly complex and advanced 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
personal and environmental factors. Review of medical records to interpret findings from examination, diagnostic studies and/or medical tests.
During evaluation select appropriate clinical tests and measures; then integrate findings into the physical therapy plan of care for the full range
of patient populations, using relevant evidence-based data and norms. Establish a diagnosis within the scope of physical therapy and identify
the appropriate intervention to treat and/or refer to another provider for further consultation when needed. Determine physical therapy
prognosis by incorporating examination findings with the patient's preferences for meaningful level of function in order to set clinically
appropriate treatment goals and optimize outcomes.

Administrative Program Coordinator Functions
Monitors outcomes and provides data for community care rehabilitation outsource services, student trainee programming and patient/staff
safety data. Assists with identifying, collecting and analyzing appropriate patient care information to provide a database to support program
performance evaluation system(s) and Performance Improvement projects related to assigned program and specialty areas. Provides/Assists
with triage, coordination, and makes recommendations for the best/most appropriate level of care on outsourced referrals to community
providers from Primary Care and PM&R providers for rehabilitation services. Oversee PM&R Service safety work standards, patient handling, and
clinical practice policies to support a safe work environments. Coordinates with VANTHCS Education Service to manage and assign PM&R Health
Profession Trainee (HPT)students in occupational and physical therapy affiliations for Level I and Level II placements. Coordinate and
collaborates with PM&R Clinical Specialists, PM&R Coordinators, PM&R Leads, Safe Patient Handling and Mobility Facility Coordinator, and with
Rehabilitation Service Managers to assist with administrative processes to ensure compliance obtain resources and operations of the program
and specialty areas within the PM&R Service. Provides administrative direction and makes decisions related to their designated direct patient
care services area(s).

Treatment Implementation
Identifies adverse reactions and modifies treatment plan according to patient response to treatment and towards meeting established goals.
Documents treatment progression and/or modifications accordingly. Demonstrates a full professional understanding of selective therapeutic
techniques and modalities related to disability being treated. Serves as a consultant within the assigned program area for intra-agency and
interagency planning and to provide service coordination to optimize program continuity, efficiency and effectiveness. Establishes and
maintains a collaborative relationship with nursing and the interdisciplinary rehabilitation team to facilitate the operation of the ward/unit/clinic
to meet common goals. Participates in interdisciplinary team meetings, rounds, family conferences and other meetings as needed. May assess
Veterans in the home and make environmental modifications accordingly to ensure patient and caregiver safety in the home.

Education and Research
Identifies learning activities for self and others. Participates and contributes to the advancements of knowledge and techniques related to
physical therapy via in-services, mentorship projects. Coordinates and conducts in-services for interdisciplinary team and other rehabilitation
programs. Provides 2 in-services per year to staff members regarding rehabilitation and physical therapy services, techniques, and protocols.
Participates in facility and/or service education projects. Develops patient education printed materials. Serves as a resource person to VANTHCS

Work Schedule: 7:30 am - 4:00 p.m. Occasional weekends and holidays as needed for patient care.
Telework: Not Available.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 55583F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Available
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 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: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

Education and experience. The individual must meet at least one of the requirements below:

• Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist.
• Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist.
• 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.

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).

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.

Grade Determination for 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1. Ability to apply advanced knowledge of contemporary physical therapy within specialty area to provide clinical guidance, training or education for internal and external stakeholders.
2. Ability to serve as a consultant within the assigned program area for intra-agency and interagency planning and to provide service coordination to optimize program continuity, efficiency and effectiveness.
3. Knowledge of and skill in management, administration and/or education methodologies. This includes the ability to monitor and track data, utilize available resources effectively, evaluate program quality, and generate reports for local, and/or VISN and/or VACO leadership.
4. Ability to develop and coordinate treatment and/or educational programs within a concentrated field or specialty area, such as, but not limited to, amputee, spinal cord injury, chronic pain, student clinical education/residency programming, polytrauma/traumatic brain injury.
5. Ability to establish and maintain collaborative relationships within department and with other departments or affiliated programs.
6. Ability to guide the work of a multi-disciplinary team.

Assignment. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. PTs at this level have experience that demonstrates advanced practice skills and judgment across one or more areas of physical therapy. The individual may be assigned broad administrative responsibility. The individual is assigned a major content specialty area to include assessing, planning, evaluating and delivering care within a special clinical program or component of a Rehabilitation Service, which usually involves multiple disciplines. See the definition for specialty areas in paragraph 2. i, that includes Polytrauma/Traumatic Brain Injury, Chronic Pain, Amputation, Spinal Cord Injury and clinical education programs. PTs provide administrative direction and decisions related to the program. The Physical Therapy Program Coordinator is responsible for the coordination of multiple professionals from a variety of disciplines for optimal clinical care and educational programming. Implements programs, policies, and procedures to meet program goals, policy and external accreditation requirements. Monitors outcomes, participates in strategic planning and implements strategies for program improvement particularly in assigned content specialty area. The Program Coordinator supports the rehabilitation service and serves as a point of contact providing guidance to facility leadership on matters related to specialty content area.

Preferred Experience:

• Two or more years of experience in rehabilitation for acute and/or sub-acute setting.
• Experience performing chart review, evaluation and develop treatment plan for acute and/or chronic injuries with impairment such as; amputation, musculoskeletal, neurological, orthopedic, cardio-pulmonary, pain management, cancer, etc.
• Experience in performing direct supervision Physical Therapy assistance and/or Physical Therapy students
• Experience providing mentoring to peers and provide education regarding rehabilitation to others healthcare services.
• Leadership Development experience or project development.

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-13.

Physical Requirements: Should have the ability to perform repetitive physical activities: Up to 4-6 hours of the following: sitting, walking, standing, twisting, bending, stooping, reaching, reaching overhead, grasping and pinching with hands and fine manipulation, such as typing/keyboarding. Up to 1-2 hours of the following: straight pulling, puling hand over hand, pushing, climbing and kneeling. Required lifting light to moderate (up to 44 pounds) and carrying light to moderate (up to 44 pounds). Required functional hearing with/without hearing aids, Near vision correctable at 13-16", Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, the ability to use both eyes, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors. Use of fingers, both hands and use of both legs. The position demands significant physical stress and strain such as transferring patients, crouching and crawling on mats, and occasionally defending self against combative patients assigned to the incumbent. Work may require good physical health, normal use of arms and legs and good visual and auditory acuity, to evaluate and treat patients, and to use computer, keyboard, monitor, phone, etc. Work is performed in the clinic, exercise areas, office, conference rooms, and occasionally in patient's home.

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.