Physical Therapist

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 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 Education and Experience: You must meet at least one of the requirements below NOTE: Individuals must be a graduate of a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredited college or university Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist OR Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist OR Doctorate degree in physical therapy Licensure: Individuals 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 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 NOTE Individuals who have or have had multiple licenses and had any such license revoked for professional misconduct, professional incompetency or substandard care, or who surrendered such license after receiving written notice of potential termination of such license by the state for professional misconduct, professional incompetence, or substandard care, are not eligible for appointment to the position 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 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: GS-11: None beyond the basis requirements GS-12: Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level Examples of experience include: Providing assessment and treatment intervention Planning and modifying treatment based on a patient's response to intervention and/or change in medical condition Experience includes 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 May provide oversight and delegate patient care responsibilities to a Physical Therapist Assistant, and/or delegate nonpatient care duties to non-licensed staff In addition to the experience requirement, candidates for the GS-12 grade must also be able to demonstrate the following knowledge, skill, and abilities (KSA): 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 4 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 5 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 6 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 Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12 Physical Requirements: Standing, walking, squatting, bending, and sitting, and changing from one position to the other frequently throughout the day Sitting at a desk and using upper extremities to reach, grasp and place papers, charts, computers, phones, and reference materials Many of the patients are bariatric Incumbent must employ safe lifting techniques including the use of mechanical devices and avoid awkward postures while working with the veterans Reaching, lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling: 1-10 pounds constantly, 10-25 frequently, and 20-35 pounds occasionally ]]>