Physical Therapist chez Department of Veterans Affairs

Other

Duties

VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY The Physical Therapist will independently develops and implements individualized physical therapy treatment programs for all patients referred for consultation. He/she works effectively with patients, families, care partners and treatment team members. The Physical Therapist is also responsible for the supervision of assigned students and volunteers that rotate through the physical therapy section. This includes but is not limited to: full and part time undergraduate students, DPT and PTA students from local Universities and Colleges, Medical Students, and Residents and Physiatry Fellows that rotate through the Section. This position is located within NF/SG VHS, a large level (1A), highly affiliated facility. Some of the duties include, but are not limited to: Plans, develops, and implements comprehensive, complex treatment programs for individual patients or groups of patients to relieve pain, restore or enhance performance, and maximize ability to function as independently as possible. Performs appropriate assessments, evaluations, and treatments, involved in the prevention of physical disability, movement dysfunction, and pain resulting from injury, disease, disability, or other health-related conditions. Evaluates and assesses patients, as assigned, to determine the treatment course to be followed. Performs tests and measurements of muscles, nerves, range of motion, posture, strength, ambulation, circulatory, and respiratory status using various mechanical and electrical means. Performs and interprets results of tests and measurement of the patient's condition for use in preparing and treatment plan, modifying treatment, and evaluating results of treatment. Performs test to determine existence of neurological disease or conditions. Plans and implements a comprehensive treatment regimen designed to maximize functional potential of the patient, using a myriad of treatment modalities and procedures. May implement therapeutic exercise, manual therapies, cryotherapy, heat therapy, neuromuscular facilitation, muscle re-education, electrical stimulation, sensory integration techniques, positioning. application of assistive devices and joint protection techniques. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 51292F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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. 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. English Language Proficiency: Physical Therapists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d). Education and Experience: Physical Therapists must meet one of the education/experience 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. 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. License: 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. Note: Non -Licensed PT's who otherwise meet the basic requirements, may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate PT at the GS-11 grade for a period not to exceed two years from the date of employment on the condition that the 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. Loss of Credential. A PT who fails to maintain the required license must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment. At the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may be reassigned to another occupation, if qualified, and if a placement opportunity exists. 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: In addition to the basic requirements above, you must also meet one of the following grade requirements for a specific grade level. GS-11: (Entry level) Experience, Experience, and Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements. Note: See exception to licensure requirement above. GS-12: (Full Performance Level) Experience, education and licensure. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level, hold a valid unrestricted state license and demonstrate all the KSA's listed below: Ability to make autonomous clinical decisions in a Direct Access environment. This includes ability to independently evaluate and treat patients who seek physical therapy services. Skill in performing 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 psychosocial and environmental factors. Ability to interpret findings from examination and evaluation, select appropriate test and measures, and integrate findings into the physical therapy plan of care for the full range of patient populations. Ability to establish a diagnosis within the scope of physical therapy and identify the appropriate rehabilitation intervention, including referral to another provider for further consultation as clinically indicated. Ability to determine physical therapy prognosis by incorporating examination findings with the patient's preferences in order to set clinically appropriate treatment goals, optimize outcomes and maximize functional independence. Ability to independently provide clinical oversight of Physical Therapy Assistants as well as students on clinical affiliations who are in Doctoral PT Programs or PTA Programs. Preferred Experience: Experience as part of a Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT). Experience as part of a primary care team. APTA Specialty certification or 3 years minimum experience. 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-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 to GS-12. Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the work require light lifting (under 15 pounds), light carrying (under 15 pounds), the use of fingers, reaching above shoulder, both hands required, walking (3 hrs.), prolong standing (6-8 hrs.), crawling (.25 hrs.), kneeling (.50 hrs.), repeated bending (2 hrs.), ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously.

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Other Information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.