Physical Therapist; Home-Based Primary Care - EDRP Approved

Overview

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program approval - award amount (up to $200,000) and 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 ineligible to apply.

This vacancy will remain open until filled. The first cut-off date is 2/20/2026. Additional applications will be referred as needed. 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. HPTs who are on track to graduate/complete the requirements should respond as if they have met the requirements.

Provide details in the narrative sections of the assessment.

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
• Physical Requirements See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• Education and experience:
  
  The individual must meet at least one of the requirements below: (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
• 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 USDE and CHEA to accredit entry-level physical therapy programs
• Foreign Graduates:
  Graduates of foreign physical therapy programs meet requirements if they have full unrestricted license to practice in a State or DC
• Licensure:
  Individuals hold a full-current and unrestricted license to practice physical therapy in a State or DC
• English Language Proficiency:
  Proficient in written and spoken English
• See Chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a
• May qualify based on Grandfathering Provision as described in VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees in this occupation)
• Preferred Experience:
  
  See Additional Information Section
• Grade Determinations: GS-11 Physical Therapist (Entry) ...
• 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
• 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) ...
• 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
• Guided by differential and movement diagnoses - PTs perform 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
• PTs interpret findings from examination - diagnostic studies/medical tests and - during evaluation - select appropriate clinical tests and measures - and then integrate findings into the physical therapy plan of care for the full range of patient populations
• PTs establish a diagnosis within the scope of physical therapy and identify the appropriate intervention to treat and/or refer to another provider for further consultation when needed
• They determine physical therapy prognosis by incorporating examination findings with the patient s preferences for meaningful level of function in order to set clinically appropriate treatment goals and optimize outcomes
• Physical therapists select appropriate equipment needed to substitute for loss of function or to substitute for limited function of individuals they treat
• Staff PTs at this level practice autonomously - making recommendations and referrals to other medical specialties/services as clinically indicated during ongoing assessment of patients under their care
• The staff PT may also develop and provide individualized clinical training experiences for physical therapy students in facilities with established clinical experience rotations
• PTs at this level may be given general assignments in any/all areas where physical…