A staff physical therapist evaluates patients, plans, establishes and provides a full range of comprehensive treatment procedures designed to improve or restore function through the use of physical modalities, therapeutic exercise, prostheses or assistive devices. This position will serve Spinal Cord Injury center at ALM- inpatient acute, outpatient and occasional home evaluations only.
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. 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 postbaccalaureate 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. Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. 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. Doctorate degree in physical therapy. 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. NOTE. Individuals who have or have had multiple licenses and had any such license revoked for professional misconduct, professional incompetency or substandard care, or who surrendered such license after receiving written notice of potential termination of such license by the state for professional misconduct, professional incompetence, or substandard care, are not eligible for appointment to the position unless such revoked or surrendered license is fully restored (38 U.S.C 7402(f)). Effective November 30, 1999, this is a requirement for employment. This requirement does not apply to licensed physical therapists on VA rolls as of November 30, 1999, provided the individual maintains a continuous appointment and is not disqualified for employment by any subsequent revocations or voluntary surrenders of State license, registration or certification. 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. 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: GS-11: None beyond Basic Requirements. GS-12: Education, Experience 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 KSAs below: Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities: 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 7 well as students on clinical affiliations who are in Doctoral PT Programs or PTA Programs. Preferred Experience: ATP (Assistive Technology Professional) and/or SMS (Seating & Mobility Specialist) certification preferred. Must be willing to become ATP certified within six months of appointment. Prior experience with complex neuro-rehabilitation patients (SCI, TBI, MS, ALS) preferred. Prior experience with wheelchair seating and mobility evaluations and modification preferred. Prior experience in an academic setting with teaching and/or research experience preferred. 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. This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be 08/22/2025 with subsequent cut-off dates bi-weekly. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds.
VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY Major Duties: Clinical: Candidates must be licensed for assignment at this grade level and are at the full performance level. Staff PTs at this level are responsible for providing assessment of patients and treatment interventions. They are assigned to all program areas which are covered by Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service and provide professional, independent physical therapy services in the assigned area. PTs at this level may be given general assignments in any physical therapy program area where the advanced specialized knowledge is not required on a recurring basis due to the patient population served and complexity of the facility and/or treatment area or may serve as the sole PT at a less complex facility. Individuals may perform ancillary assignments, including program management duties on an occasional basis, where the complexity and amount of work is not substantial (less than 25% of duty time). Assigns, manages and evaluates work of subordinate staff. Upon referral from a physician, evaluates patients in complex cases to determine functional status, identifies problems and needs for individualized therapy treatment. Independently plans and develops comprehensive programs to meet patients' needs within specialty programs. Reviews physical therapy documentation of initial findings, treatment goals estimated length of treatment, equipment recommendations, interim progress and discharge summary in patients' medical records. Communicates effectively with physical therapy and medical center staff. Works effectively with health care providers in coordinating the patients' total care. Participates in conferences and assigned medical meetings. Understands rationale for all clinic procedures and has good operating knowledge of all equipment in the Physical Therapy Clinic. Administration Assigns and evaluates work of subordinate staff. Maintains attendance records and submits monthly reports and statistics. Maintains procedures consistent with STVHCS policies. Assists in the development of standards of care to ensure compliance with professional accrediting organizations. Maintains all data for quality assurance monitoring and evaluates data at specific intervals. Maintains adequate level of supplies. Maintains equipment in safe and operable condition through inspection and submission of work orders, as necessary. Other duties as assigned. Education Supervises and trains physical therapy students and volunteers. If assigned, acts as clinical education coordinator for the P.T. section. Work Schedule: 7:30am - 4:00pm, Monday - Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 54360-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized