Physical Therapist - EDRP Approved

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application.

Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

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.

• United States Citizenship:
  Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Physical Requirements – see VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
• Education and experience:
  
  The individual must meet at least one of the following:
  • 1. Bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist.
  • 2. Master’s degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist.
  • 3. Doctorate degree in physical therapy.
• Individuals must graduate from 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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).
• Preferred Experience:
  
  4 years clinical experience in adult population, experience supervising Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs), experience with ordering/recommending durable medical equipment (DME).
• Grade Determinations: GS‑11 Physical Therapist (Entry) – Education, Experience and Licensure:
  None beyond the basic requirements.
• Assignment responsibilities: PTs at this level are responsible for providing assessment and treatment intervention, planning and modifying treatment based on patient response or change in medical condition, and may be given general assignments in any physical therapy program area where advanced specialized knowledge is not required.
• 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.
• At the full performance level, PTs are responsible for independently providing assessment and treatment interventions to inpatients and outpatients received through healthcare provider referrals and patient self‑referrals, perform examinations and evaluations of individuals with impairments and activity limitations, interpret findings, establish diagnosis, set clinically appropriate treatment goals, select appropriate equipment,…