Physical Therapist

Summary

The GS-12 physical therapist is assigned to provide professional-physical therapy services to any/all program areas that are covered by Rehabilitation Services including acute care, rehabilitation, neurology, oncology, geriatrics, long term care, home care and outpatient settings.

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
• 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
• Licensure:
  Individuals hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice physical therapy in a State, Territory, Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. Non-licensed PTs who otherwise meet the basic requirements 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 provides care only under the supervision of a licensed PT.
  
  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. 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 the basic requirements.
  GS-12 – 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.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):
  Ability to make autonomous clinical decisions in a Direct Access environment;
  Ability to independently evaluate and treat patients;
  Skill in performing examinations and evaluations of individuals with impairments;
  Ability to interpret findings and integrate into the physical therapy plan of care;
  Ability to establish a diagnosis within scope;
  Ability to determine prognosis;
  Ability to provide clinical oversight of PTAs and students.
• Preferred Experience:
  
  Strong outpatient skills – able to work independently as sole clinician in a primary care clinic.
• Physical Requirements:
  
  Work includes regular physical exertion in standing, bending, kneeling, reaching, gripping, walking; moderate to heavy lifting is required; sitting is required for meetings and administrative work; above average agility may be desirable for defensive situations; work may require physical stamina, good visual and auditory acuity.

• VA Careers - Physical Therapy:
  Major Duties:
  Performs complex physical therapy evaluation and treatment for male and female patients aged 18-85+ years old.
• Involves the patient, family/significant other, and medical team in treatment planning and goal setting through ongoing communication.
• Plans and carries out the full range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities where therapeutic objectives are complex and procedures involved require the application of specialized skills and knowledge.
• Adapts and applies treatment procedures with critical concern for patients who are acutely ill or who have a combination of severe mental/emotional or physical disabilities.
• Treatment will be provided on the ward, in the facility, and in the community as appropriate for the patient's needs.
• Demonstrates ability to recognize and professionally and appropriately respond to…