Full or Part Time Physiotherapist

This position is located in the Physical Therapy Department within Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) at the Phoenix VA Health Care System. Physical Therapist provides assessment and treatment intervention on an independent basis across the continuum of care and services provided by PM&RS. Supports the Phoenix VA Health Care System (PVAHCS), Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC), and Home Base Primary Care (HBPC).
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The Department of Veterans Affairs is implementing a streamlined 30-Day Hiring Model designed to accelerate hiring while maintaining the highest standards of merit-based selection. Expedited Candidate Review Once the announcement closes, Human Resources will quickly review applications, issue certificates of eligible candidates the day after the announcement closes and refer applicants for hiring manager consideration.
Following a tentative offer, applicants should be prepared to complete required steps, such as fingerprinting and background check, credentialing, and medical examination within 3 days of the offer.
VA Careers - Physical Therapy :
Responsible for the examination and treatment of patients referred to and/or independently/directly accessing Physical Therapy Services.
Develops and implements physical therapy patient education content, based on the most current evidence-based practice.
Provides in-service and clinical training programs as assigned by the Physical Therapy Section Supervisor, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services (PM&RS) Clinical Manager, and PM&RS Department Chief.
Designs, conducts, and evaluates educational experiences on physical therapy subject matter for staff members, taking an active role in Journal Club, and seeks educational opportunities to enhance the Physical Therapy Department, PM&RS, and the PVAHCS.
Maintains timely data input utilizing care plans, initial assessments and/or specialty protocols as part of an ongoing process in coordination with other key interdisciplinary staff to provide effective patient care.
Represents the Physical Therapy Department and PM&RS at various clinical and administrative meetings/rounds at the discretion of the Physical Therapy Supervisor(s).
According to department policies, incumbent is authorized to perform examination and treatment of patients representing a wide scope of ages and diagnoses, rendering varied modalities inherent in their profession.
Serves as a Clinical Instructor and role model for students and others on the physical therapy staff.
Evaluates patient's condition upon appropriate referral to and/or patient's direct access request for physical therapy to determine treatment plan. Evaluates patient's needs with respect to durable medical equipment necessary for the patient in the home environment. Selects appropriate equipment, determines which suits the patient best.
Determines appropriate equipment necessary to allow patients to participate in activities including, but not limited to: home exercise program, assistive devices for mobility, and transfers.
Makes appropriate referrals for evaluations when deemed necessary to the mobility clinic, Occupational Therapy, Kinesiotherapy, MOVE, podiatry, prosthetics, and other services that may be necessary.
Reviews patients' medical records from outlying facilities to determine appropriateness of triaging referral to community care.
Work Schedule : Tuesday - Saturday; Hours adjusted based on clinic needs)
Telework : Not Available.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives : Not Authorized.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.
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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. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. 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. your performance and conduct;
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.
Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
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: 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

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.
A PT who fails to maintain the required license must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment. English Language Proficiency. 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 Physical Therapist
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.

At the full performance level, PTs are responsible for independently providing assessment and treatment interventions to inpatients and outpatients received through healthcare provider referrals and patient self-referrals. Guided by differential and movement diagnoses, PTs perform 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 personal and environmental factors. PTs interpret findings from examination, diagnostic studies/medical tests and, during evaluation, select appropriate clinical tests and measures, and then integrate findings into the physical therapy plan of care for the full range of patient populations. PTs 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. They 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. Physical therapists select appropriate equipment needed to substitute for loss of function or to substitute for limited function of individuals they treat. 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. The staff PT may also develop and provide individualized clinical training experiences for physical therapy students in facilities with established clinical experience rotations. PTs at this level may be given general assignments in any/all areas where physical therapy services are deemed necessary, and/or may serve as the sole PT at a less complex facility. Individuals may perform ancillary assignments as deemed appropriate given the needs of a facility on an occasional basis, where the amount of work is not substantial (less than 25% of the duty time).
Preferred Experience: 3+ years experience providing Physical Therapy services in long term care, skilled nursing facility, rehab center, or CLC setting. Knowledge and experience with restorative nursing programs. Advanced training or certifications in geriatrics or neurological rehabs are desirable.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. 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. 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.
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.
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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.