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, education, prostheses, assistive devices, and/or any other modality within the scope of physical therapy as outlined by the American Physical Therapy Association.
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: 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 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. 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. 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: In addition to the basic requirements for appointment, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates. GS-11 Physical Therapist (Entry). Education, Experience, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. Assignment. PTs at this level are responsible for providing assessment and treatment intervention. PTs plan and modify treatment based on a patient's response to intervention and/or change in medical condition. PTs at this level may be given general assignments in any physical therapy program area where advanced specialized knowledge is not required or may serve as the sole PT such as in an outpatient clinic. Licensed PTs may provide oversight and delegate patient care responsibilities to a Physical Therapist Assistant, and/or delegate non-patient care duties to non-licensed staff. PTs that are not licensed must practice under the close supervision of a licensed PT. GS-12 Physical Therapist (Full Performance Level). 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: 1. 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. 2. 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. 4. 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. 5. 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. 6. 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: 2+ years of outpatient experience within the last 5 years Proficiency in a direct access environment considering differential diagnoses Experience working in an interdisciplinary manner Competent managing chronic pain and chronic musculoskeletal complaints 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: Heavy Lifting,45 pounds and over, Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds, Light carrying, under 15 pounds, Straight pulling (.5 hrs), Pushing (.5 hrs),Reaching above shoulder, Use of fingers Both hands required, Walking (.5 hrs), Standing (.5 hrs), Crawling (.5 hrs), Kneeling (.5 hrs), Repeated bending 1 hrs), Climbing, legs only (.5 hrs), Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneous, Specific visual requirement Corrective lenses okay, Both eyes required, Ability to distinguish basic colors, Hearing (aid may be permitted), mental and emotional stability.
VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY Therapist will practice physical therapy primarily at a single campus but may participate in temporary assignments throughout STVHCS as directed by therapy supervisor. Settings and areas of coverage may include but are not limited to: Outpatient, Inpatient Acute, Aquatic, Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center, Polytrauma Transitional Rehab Program, Post deployment Accelerated Comprehensive Evaluation Rehabilitation, Polytrauma Reintegration Outpatient, Spinal Cord Injury Center, Community Living Center, Home Based Primary Care, Northwest Health Care Center, New Braunfels Outpatient Clinic, Hardy Oak clinic, and Kerrville Campus inpatient and outpatient physical therapy programs. Clinical: Staff PT at this grade level and are considered to be at the entry 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(s). 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. They may serve as the sole PT at a less complex facility or outpatient clinic. Administration: Maintain attendance records and submit monthly reports and statistics. Maintain procedures consistent with STVHCS policies. Assist in the development of standards of care to ensure compliance with professional accrediting organizations. Maintain all data for quality assurance monitoring and evaluate data at specific intervals. Maintain adequate level of supplies. Maintain equipment in safe and operable condition through inspection and submission of work orders, as necessary. Other duties as assigned. Education. Supervise and train physical therapy students and volunteers. If assigned, act as clinical education coordinator for the Physical Therapy Section. Provide in-services training for physical therapy staff and other professionals, as necessary. Orient visitors and volunteers to the role of physical therapy. Maintain professional state license and competency through continuing education. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30-4:00pm Telework: Ad-hoc Telework Functional Statement #: 54320-F, 54271-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized