Clarification from the agency

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.

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Duties
Incumbent independently performs patient evaluations in an open access environment, using appropriate standardized and non-standardized tests and independently develops and implements physical therapy treatment programs for both routine and complex patients. Appointment modalities can include face to face, virtual, phone, aquatics, or E-consult as appropriate. Physical Therapist recognizes contraindications and appropriateness of treatment prescribed by referring provider and consults with referring provider if these are in question. In direct scheduling instances, the Physical Therapist applies proper screening tools for treatment and refers to higher level of care when appropriate. Physical Therapist is able to modify and adapt treatment programs when appropriate.
The Physical Therapist works in conjunction with other rehabilitation therapist(s) to assure the following is accomplished:

• initial and ongoing assessments of the Veteran's functional status
• initial and ongoing assessments of safety in the environment
• determination of need for home medical equipment (HME), appropriateness of Home Improvement and Structural Adaptation (HISA) grant application, and appropriateness for mobility device use, including manual wheelchair, power wheelchair, and power scooter as appropriate to the individual patient.
• teaching and monitoring the safe use of HME devices to patients and caregivers
• reporting equipment problems to the Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service
• establishing a therapeutic program for the Veteran to maximize or maintain the Veteran 's functional status, and monitoring the response
• supervising Physical Therapy and Physical Therapy Assistant students as assigned

Possess and applies board certified clinical specialist, such as Orthopedic Certified Specialist, Geriatric Certified Specialist, or equivalent knowledge attained through experience and advanced knowledge and expert skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities. Able to work independently and effectively with other members of the team, patients, and families/caregivers of patients.



Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 8:00am - 4:30pm
Telework: ADHOC
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
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.
• You may be required to serve a trial period.
• 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.
• 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).

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. 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

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 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.
English Language Proficiency: The PT must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005

Grade Determinations:
GS-13:
Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level and one of the following:

1. Evidence of a minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice directly in the specialty area. This time must be between the past two and five years; OR
2. Board Certification in the specialty area recognized by the ABPTS; OR
3. Completion of a fellowship program; OR
4. An additional advanced degree in a related field.

In addition, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA):

1. Advanced knowledge and expert skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in a specialized treatment area of physical therapy.
2. 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
3. Ability to teach and mentor medical center staff in a specialized content area of physical therapy.
4. Ability to guide the work of a multi-disciplinary team in a specialized content area of physical therapy.
5. Advanced knowledge and expert skill to perform and interpret specialized procedures and tests in evaluating the treatment outcomes in the assigned specialty content area.

Content Specialty/Specialty area. Specialized content areas of physical therapy include, but are not limited to, geriatrics, neurology, cardiopulmonary, orthopedics, spinal cord injury, amputee, wound care, chronic pain, pelvic health, polytrauma, brain injury, lymphedema, vestibular, assistive technology, seating and mobility. As health care evolves content specialty will change.

Preferred Experience: Experience working in Outpatient setting.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing a weight of 35 pounds in accordance with the Safe Patient Handling Program Directive 2010-032 . Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Area of Consideration
Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:

1. Current VA employees of the facility.
2. All other VA employees.
3. Current permanent employees of other agencies.
4. All other applicants.

Note: Veterans' Preference is not applicable to VA employees or employees of other Federal agencies.

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.