Physical Therapist

Summary

This position is located on the Portland campus within the PM&R Service for VAPORHCS.

• United States Citizenship:
  Candidates must be a citizen of the United States
• After a determination is made that it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens, necessary personnel may be appointed on a temporary basis under authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 without regard to the citizenship requirements of 38 U.S.C. 7402 or any other law prohibiting the employment of or payment of compensation to a person who is not a citizen of the United States
• Candidates must meet all other requirements for the grade and position concerned
• Education and experience
  • The individual must meet at least one of the following requirements:
    • 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:
    
    Prior to 1995 the terminal degree for PT's was either a bachelor's 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 post‑baccalaureate degrees (eliminating the baccalaureate degree)
  • Effective 2015 – professional physical therapy education programs have offered only the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree to all new students
  • NOTE:
    
    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
  • Verification of accredited programs may be obtained from the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) a.org
• 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 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, conditioned on providing care only under the supervision of a licensed PT
  • Failure to obtain licensure during that period justifies termination of the temporary appointment
  • Individuals who have had a license revoked for professional misconduct, incompetency, or substandard care are not eligible for appointment unless the 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 by any subsequent revocations or voluntary surrenders of state license, registration, or certification
• Loss of Credential
  • A PT who fails to maintain the required license must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment
  • At the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may be reassigned to another occupation – if qualified – and if a placement opportunity exists
• 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
• Physical Requirements
  • Pre‑placement and periodic physical examinations are required for hybrid occupations to ensure workers are placed in positions where they can perform essential functions without endangering their health or that of co‑workers
  • See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
  • May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (applies only to current VHA…