Physical Therapist

Summary

This position is located in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service of the Northern Arizona VA Healthcare System in Prescott, Arizona. The Physical Therapist delivers patient care using a four-step process that includes assessment, treatment planning, implementation of therapeutic interventions, and ongoing evaluation of outcomes. This position will primarily in the Outpatient Clinics, other duty locations may be assigned dependent on need.

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Duties

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GS-12 (Full Performance Level):

• Practices autonomously at the full performance level, making clinically indicated recommendations and referrals to other specialties/services during ongoing assessment.
• Selects and applies equipment and assistive technology to substitute for loss or limited function, ensuring safety and efficacy.
• Performs general assignments across physical therapy service areas and, when required, serves as the sole PT in less complex settings; performs occasional ancillary assignments.
• Provides direct access care, independently making autonomous clinical decisions to evaluate and treat patients across Outpatient, Inpatient, and CLC settings.
• Performs comprehensive examinations and evaluations addressing musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and integumentary systems, integrating psychosocial and environmental factors.
• Interprets examination findings and diagnostic studies, selects appropriate clinical tests and measures, and integrates results into an evidence-based plan of care for the full range of patient populations.
• Establishes physical therapy diagnoses and identifies appropriate rehabilitation interventions, referring to other providers for further consultation when indicated.
• Determines physical therapy prognosis by incorporating examination findings with patient preferences to set clinically appropriate goals, optimize outcomes, and maximize functional independence.
• Selects and fits equipment to substitute for loss or limited function and trains patients/caregivers in safe and effective use.
• Develops and updates evidence-based treatment programs; reviews/analyzes treatment effectiveness; modifies plans of care to achieve patient-centered outcomes.
• Coordinates patient referrals and discharge planning with PT and Medical Center staff; participates in interdisciplinary rounds, specialty clinics, conferences, and provides patient presentations.
• Provides clinical oversight to Physical Therapist Assistants, delegating and supervising tasks consistent with scope, regulations, and patient safety.
• Serves as Clinical Instructor for PT and PTA students; delivers individualized clinical training experiences; observes and evaluates student performance using affiliated institutions' evaluation guides.
• Documents patient performance, response, and functional achievement toward goals; maintains timely, complete, and accurate records; assures productivity and quality care while providing cost-effective treatments.
• Mentors junior Physical Therapists, models outstanding clinical practice, and contributes to research and educational activities to advance physical therapy knowledge and techniques.
• Communicates clearly, courteously, and respectfully with patients, families, and stakeholders; clarifies information; responds to inquiries/complaints in a timely manner; refers inquiries appropriately; maintains confidentiality and privacy in all communications.
• Displays a cooperative attitude and works effectively with coworkers, supervisors, interdisciplinary team members, and other services to implement section, service, and organizational goals; identifies and resolves interpersonal/professional conflicts.
• Reports unusual difficulties involving patient treatment to the Supervisor, Acting Supervisor, or Service Chief of PM&RS, and the referring provider as needed.
• Availability for occasional travel and weekend work as needed to meet patient care and operational needs.

GS-11 (Developmental Level):

• 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 or may serve as the sole PT such as in an outpatient clinic. 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

Work Schedule : 40 hours a week, Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Telework : Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement # : 000000

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.
• To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the 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.
• 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.
• English Language Proficiency. Individuals must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f).
• Education. Candidates must have:
  • A bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. OR
  • A master's in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. OR
  • A 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 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 above 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- 4 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. Although the licensing of physical therapists in the U.S. is a right and responsibility of each jurisdiction, foreign educated individuals must undergo an educational credentials assessment for substantial equivalency to the first professional degree in the US. The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) is committed to protect the public and to provide leadership within the field and practice of physical therapy. FSBPT's Foreign Educated Standards Committee has developed standards that represent "best practices" in evaluation services. The Credentials Evaluation Standards were developed with input from the physical therapy credentialing agencies that are licensed to use FSBPT's Coursework Tool.
• Licensure. All applicants must 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.
  • Loss of Credentials: 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.

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 :

Grade GS-11: None beyond the basic requirements.

Grade GS-12:

• Experience/Education. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level; OR a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or three academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a degree in kinesiotherapy or an exercise science related field.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs:
  • Skill in communicating and coordinating with patients, families, caregivers, and other health care professions to facilitate the multidisciplinary treatment process.
  • Knowledge of evidence-based kinesiotherapy to provide skilled rehabilitation interventions to a wide variety of patients having multiple disabilities.
  • Ability to conduct independent assessments using highly specialized evaluations and diagnostic tests.
  • Knowledge of learning principles, behavioral intervention, and innovational techniques for patient and caregiver education.
  • Ability to adapt assessment tools and treatment to the complexity of the diagnosis or disabilities and demonstrate the clinical reasoning necessary to identify the need for further in-depth specific assessment of function and utilization of non-standard methods and techniques.
  • Ability to use clinical reasoning necessary to identify the need for further in depth specific assessment and/or continuation of treatment.

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

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 to GS-12.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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:

Additional information

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.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.

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.

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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