Summary

The Physical Therapist utilizes the application of scientific principles for the identification - prevention - remediation and rehabilitation of acute - subacute - and chronic physical dysfunction - thereby promoting optimal health and function. Physical therapy's primary focus is on those individuals with neuromuscular - skeletal - pulmonary and cardiovascular disorders and evaluating the level of function related to these disorders.

Qualifications

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 experience
• The individual must meet at least one of the requirements: Bachelor's degree in physical therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist
• Master's degree in physical therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist
• Doctorate degree in physical therapy
• 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
• The Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT) is a non-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
• NOTE: Prior to 1995 the terminal degree for PT's was either a bachelor's or master's degree
• In 1995 CAPTE accredited all baccalaureate - master's - and Doctor of Physical Therapy terminal degree programs
• Effective 2002 - CAPTE changed its scope of accrediting activities of PT education programs to include only those programs that culminate in post-baccalaureate degrees (eliminating the baccalaureate degree)
• Effective 2015 - professional physical therapy education programs have only offered the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree to all new students
• 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 www.apta.org
• 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
• 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
• 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
• Grandfathering Provision
• All licensed PTs employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title - series and grade held - including positive education and licensure that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation
• For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard - but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it - the following provisions apply: Employees grandfathered into the GS-0633 occupational series as PTs may be reassigned - promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level - or changed to lower grade within the occupation
• PTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of this qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of this standard
• PTs initially grandfathered into this occupation - who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration - meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard and must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation
• If PTs who are grandfathered under this provision leave the occupation - the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation
• Grade Determinations: GS11 Physical Therapist (Entry Level) - Nothing beyond the basic requirements GS12 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: 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 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
• Reference: VA HANDBOOK 5005/99 PART II APPENDIX G12 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: Work includes recurring physical exertion in standing - bending - kneeling - reaching - gripping and walking.

Duties

• VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY \"Whole Health is an approach to health care that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their life to the fullest
• The VA is committed to Whole Health and values Veteran and Employee health and wellbeing
• As a VA employee - you will practice Whole Health in an environment that supports personalized and proactive care.\" Major Duties: Duties will include starting a pelvic floor program in our women's health clinic
• There is potential for growth in this specialty area as the demands of this clinic increase
• Performs comprehensive evaluations directed at ascertaining the patient's functional status - rehabilitation needs - goals - and rehabilitation potential
• Reviews patient medical records to assess appropriateness of physical therapy intervention - note any potential risks or contraindications to treatment and to assist in guiding the evaluation process
• Establishes therapeutic agendas that are age-appropriate and which are based on the patient's identified deficits and expressed goals
• Independently modifies goals and treatment based on response to care
• Schedules patients for evaluation in such a manner as to not negatively impact other clinical staff - yet meet the patients' needs
• Provides therapeutic interventions - which focus on posture - locomotion - strength - endurance - balance - coordination - joint mobility and flexibility
• Performs appropriate cleansing and re-processing of reusable medical equipment in compliance with VHA directives and SOPs
• Completes evaluations such as medical history - results and interpretation of appropriate functional tests and measurements - as well as to address rehabilitation potential - behavior - motor skills - cognition - and psychosocial development at an age appropriate level
• Plans and facilitates treatment programs for patients with complex impairments and providing therapeutic interventions to meet functional goals
• Supervises and trains students - volunteers - therapy assistants - therapists and non-PT students and support personnel
• Preferred Experience: Experience working with general outpatient orthopedic as well as pelvic floor dysfunction caseload
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 8am-4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 0000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required