Physical Therapist

Summary


This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until 12/31/2026. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be 10/26/2026, with subsequent cut-off dates. The Organizational Location of the Position is: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service , VA North Texas Health Care System (VANTHCS), Dallas, Texas.


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Duties


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VA Careers - Physical Therapy :


Clinical Functions: Patient Care


Performs patient evaluations, the physical therapists:

• Veterans are scheduled for evaluation considering caseload complexity and acuity of medical condition. Coordinates Veteran schedule withother interdisciplinary team members.
• Guided by differential (screen for systemic diseases and medical conditions that can mimic neuromuscular and musculoskeletal problems) and movement (examine and evaluate the movement system -including diagnosis and prognosis- to provide a customized andintegrated plan of care to achieve the individual's goal-directed outcomes) diagnoses.
• Perform examinations and evaluations of adult and geriatric individuals with acute and chronic injuries, who have or may develop impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions relatedto conditions of the musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and/or integumentary systems while considering the effects attributable to unique personal and environmental factors.
• Review of medical records to interpret findings from examination, diagnostic studies and/or medical tests; selecting clinical tests and measures; and integrates findings into the physical therapy plan of care for the full range of patient populations, using relevant evidence-based data and norms. 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.
• 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. Evaluates and recommends appropriate equipment needed to substitute for loss of function or to substitute for limited function of individuals they treat. Therapist has knowledge, experience and skill in the prescription, fitting, and training in orthotics/prosthetic devices, assistive devices, adaptive equipment, and assistive technology utilized in the outpatient setting.

Treatment Implementation:

• Evaluation findings are used to develop and implement comprehensive patient treatment plans including objective, measurable goals, timeliness for completion. Goals are developed in collaboration with the patient, family and/or stakeholder input. Modifies treatment plan according to patient response to treatment and towards meeting established goals. Documents treatment progression and/or modifications accordingly. Demonstrates a full professional understanding of selective therapeutic techniques and modalities related to the patient population being treated. May serve as a resource to other, less experience therapists.
• Develops Home Programs for patients as indicated at discharge. Instructs significant others in ways to assist patients to carry out home program and in the use of equipment and assistive devices issued.

Administrative functions include:

• Assist to receive and triage patient referrals/consults, patient self-referrals and adheres to consult compliance established guidelines and is knowledgeable of admission criteria for each program (inpatient/outpatient) for appropriate continuum of care placement.
• Manages and coordinates schedules and programs determined by patient caseload. Adapts schedules to meet unscheduled treatments when situation arises. Understand and adheres to department and facility procedures.
• Identifies, collects and analyzes appropriate patient care information to provide a data base to develop performance evaluation system(s) and Process Improvement projects related to the clinical setting.
• Participates in Process Improvement activities related to Program VII, outpatient (e.g. Cultural Transformation, Patient Centered Care, etc.), PM&R, Tyler OPC, and VANTHCS.
• Participates in update of evaluation forms and protocols to adequately meet the requirements of the program and types of patients in the assigned clinical setting.
• Delegates tasks/procedures to the appropriate support personnel to facilitate effective and efficient patient care. Assists in ordering adequate supplies and maintaining inventory for assigned clinic(s). Reports all safety hazards and faulty equipment to the Lead Therapist and/or Supervisor Program Manager.

Work Schedule : 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Tuesday-Saturday. Rotates to cover weekends. This position is primarily in the Inpatient Acute Care department with rotations to Outpatient as required.


Telework : Not Available


Virtual: This is not a virtual position.


Functional Statement # : 53253-F


Relocation/Recruitment Incentives : Not Authorized


Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized


Requirements


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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.


Qualifications


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.


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.
• 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.
  • Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist.
  • Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy
• 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 in this standard, 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 PT who is licensed. Failure to obtain licensure during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment.
• Physical Requirements: Pre-placement and periodic physical examinations are required for PTs 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.
• Drivers License : A current, state issued driver's license is required for this position. Note: We cannot accept photographs, therefor; do not submit a copy of your license with your application package. If an interview is requested, you will be required to provide a copy of your current, valid state issued driver's license. A pre-placement examination will be required to be able to determine if the incumbent is able to safely operate a Government Vehicle.
• 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.
• Grandfathering Provision: Applies only to current VHA Physical Therapists (PTs) who meet the eligibility criteria.
  
  
  All PTs employed by VHA on the effective date of this standard are considered qualified for their current title, series, and grade. Employees who met prior qualification requirements but do not meet all current standards may:
• Be reassigned, promoted up to the full performance level, or moved to a lower grade within the PT occupation.
• Not have temporary appointments extended or be reappointed unless they meet all current qualification requirements.
• Maintain grandfathered status until they obtain the required education and/or licensure, at which point they must maintain those credentials as a condition of employment.
• Lose grandfathered status if they leave the occupation and must then meet the qualification standards in effect when reentering.

Grade Determinations :


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:


Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

1. Ability to make autonomous clinical decisions in a Direct Access environment. This includes ability to independently evaluate and treat patients who seek physical therapy services.
2. Skill in performing 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 while considering the effects attributable to unique psychosocial and environmental factors.
3. Ability to interpret findings from examination and evaluation, select appropriate test and measures, and integrate findings into the physical therapy plan of care for the full range of patient populations. Ability to establish a diagnosis within the scope of physical therapy and identify the appropriate rehabilitation intervention, including referral to another provider for further consultation as clinically indicated.
4. Ability to determine physical therapy prognosis by incorporating examination findings with the patient's preferences in order to set clinically appropriate treatment goals, optimize outcomes and maximize functional independence. Ability to independently provide clinical oversight of Physical Therapy Assistants as well as students on clinical affiliations who are in Doctoral PT Programs or PTA Programs.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience in providing clinical guidance to PT practitioners in the Acute Care (Inpatient and Outpatient) areas.
• 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.
• Demonstrates clinical skills for both Inpatient and Outpatient population
• Experience in Acute Surgical Care, ICU Care, and Acute Care rehab.
• Demonstrates the ability to identify and resolve interpersonal or professional conflicts when dealing with patients and members of the organization.
• 3 years of experience in rehab setting of Outpatients and Acute Inpatients.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit


The full performance level of this vacancy is GS12


Physical Requirements: A pre-placement examination is required to be able to determine if the incumbent is able to safely operate a Government Vehicle.

• Up to 4-6 hours of the following: walking, standing, repeated bending
• Up to 1-2 hours of the following: straight pulling, puling hand over hand, pushing, crawling, climbing and kneeling.
• Required lifting light (under 15 pounds) to moderate (up to 44 pounds) and carrying light (under 15 pounds) to moderate (up to 44 pounds).
• Required functional hearing with/without hearing aids, Near vision correctable at 13-16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, both eyes required, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors.
• Reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands and legs required. Sitting is required for meetings, administrative work and occasionally driving motor vehicle most of the day (ability to drive is required).
• The position demands significant physical stress and strain such as transferring patients, crouching/crawling on mats, and occasionally defending self against combative patients assigned to the incumbent.
• Work may require good physical health, normal use of arms and legs and good visual and auditory acuity, to evaluate and treat patients, and to use computer, keyboard, monitor, phone, etc. Work is performed in the clinics, wards, exercise areas, office, conference rooms, and occasionally in the home. May be exposed to infectious diseases, medical/psychiatric emergencies.

Education


Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit:


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 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) at

• Foreign Graduates. Graduates of foreign physical therapy programs meet the requirements 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. The Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT) is a non- profit organization created to assist the United States (U.S.) Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly INS) and U.S. state licensing authorities by evaluating the credentials of Foreign Educated Physical Therapists (FEPTs) who wish to immigrate and work in the U.S.

Additional information


Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.


During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.


This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.


This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.


VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.


If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.


Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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