Physical Therapist - EDRP

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) 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 are ineligible to apply.

• The basic requirements for employment as a VHA physical therapist are prescribed by Public Law 96-151 codified in 38 U.S.C. 7402.
• To qualify for appointment, all applicants for the position of physical therapist in VHA must meet the following:
• a. Citizenship. Candidates must be a citizen of the United States.
• b. 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 PTs 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 to include only those programs that culminate in post-baccalaureate degrees (eliminating the baccalaureate degree). Effective 2015, professional physical therapy education programs have only offered the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree to all new students.
• NOTE:
  
  Individuals must be a graduate of a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredited college or university, 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.
• c. Licensure. Individuals hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice physical therapy in a State, Territory, Commonwealth of the United States, or 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 provide care only under the supervision of a licensed PT.
  
  Failure to obtain licensure during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment.
• NOTE:
  
  Individuals who have had multiple licenses revoked or surrendered for professional misconduct, incompetency, or substandard care are not eligible for appointment unless such revoked or surrendered 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 for employment by any subsequent revocations or voluntary surrenders of State license, registration, or certification.
• d. 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.
• e. Physical Requirements. Pre-placement and periodic physical examinations are required for hybrid occupations to ensure workers are placed in positions where they can perform the essential functions of their job considering their physical, mental, and emotional capacities without endangering their health or the health of their co-workers. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
• f. English Language…