This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. 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. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. Education and experience: The individual must meet at least one of the requirements below: (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. Foreign Graduates: Graduates of foreign physical therapy programs meet the requirements in subparagraph 3b 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. 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. 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. Preferred Experience: Experience with SCI, neurology and/or rehabilitation population Neurologic residency in physical therapy and/or Doctorate in physical therapy 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. 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. References: Physical Therapist VA HANDBOOK 5005/99 PART II APPENDIX G12 dated February 7, 2018. The full performance level of this vacancy is 12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: The Physical Therapist position will require moderate lifting/carrying (15 - 44 lbs); reaching above shoulders; use of fingers; both hands required; walking/standing (8 hours); kneeling (1 hour); repeated bending (4 hours); both legs required; near vision correctable at 13"to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; DVA correctable to 20/40; both eyes required; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid permitted); mental/emotional stability; cognitive stability. ["***This position is located in the Spinal Cord Injury Service.*** This vacancy will remain open until filled. The first cut-off date is 3/27/2023. Additional applications will be reviewed as necessary. Staff PTs at this level are responsible for providing assessment of patients and treatment interventions. They are assigned to all program areas which are covered by SCI Service and provide professional, independent physical therapy services in the assigned area. PTs at this level may be given general assignments in any physical therapy program area where the advanced specialized knowledge is not required on a recurring basis due to the patient population served and complexity of the facility and/or treatment area or may serve as the sole PT at a less complex facility. Individuals may perform ancillary assignments, including program management duties on an occasional basis, where the complexity and amount of work is not substantial (less than 25% of duty time). 1. Assigns, manages and evaluates work of subordinate staff. 2. Upon referral from a physician, evaluates patients in complex cases to determine functional status, identifies problems and needs for individualized therapy treatment. 3. Independently plans and develops comprehensive programs to meet patients' needs within specialty programs. 4. Reviews physical therapy documentation of initial findings, treatment goals estimated length of treatment, equipment recommendations, interim progress and discharge summary in patients' medical records. 5. Communicates effectively with physical therapy and medical center staff. 6. Works effectively with health care providers in coordinating the patients' total care. 7. Participates in conferences and assigned medical meetings. 8. Understands rationale for all clinic procedures and has good operating knowledge of all equipment in the Physical Therapy Clinic. B. Administration 1. Assigns and evaluates work of subordinate staff. 2. Maintains attendance records and submits monthly reports and statistics. 3. Maintains procedures consistent with STVHCS policies. Assists in the development of standards of care to ensure compliance with professional accrediting organizations. 4. Maintains all data for quality assurance monitoring and evaluates data at specific intervals. 5. Maintains adequate level of supplies. 6. Maintains equipment in safe and operable condition through inspection and submission of work orders, as necessary. 7. Other duties as assigned. C. Education 1. Supervises and trains physical therapy students and volunteers. If assigned, acts as clinical education coordinator for the P.T. section. 2. Provides in-services training for physical therapy staff and other professionals, as necessary. Orients Visitors and volunteers to the role of physical therapy. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
