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 Education and/or Experience The individual must meet at least one of the following requirements below: Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) 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 OR Foreign Graduates - Graduates of foreign physical therapy programs meet the requirements if they have a current, full, active, and unrestricted license to practice physical therapy in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia PLEASE NOTE: Individuals must be a graduate of a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredited college or university Licensure - You must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice physical therapy in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or the District of Columbia 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 GS-12 Grade Determinations: Experience and Licensure: In addition to the basic requirements listed above, candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level and hold a valid unrestricted state license Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA): 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 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 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 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 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) Preferred Experience: Experience in outpatient physical therapy setting treating musculoskeletal and neurologic conditions Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12 Physical Requirements: Sitting, standing, light lifting (up to 20 lbs.) ]]]]>