Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Citizen of the United States
• 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 below: (1) Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist
• OR (2) Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist
• OR (3) Doctorate degree in physical therapy
• NOTE: Prior to 1995 the terminal degree for PT's was either a bachelors 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: Hold a full, current and unrestricted license to practice pharmacy in a State, Territory, Commonwealth of the United States (i.e., Puerto Rico), 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
• 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: In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess one (1) year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level, hold a valid unrestricted state license, and demonstrate all the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) below: 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
• Preferred Experience: Licensed Physical Therapist with minimum of one (1) year experience Must have experience in outpatient physical therapy and acute care physical therapy Preferred experience collaborating with interprofessional or multidisciplinary care teams and discharge planning
• Ability to work autonomously Experience clinically supervising PTAs is a plus Reference: Physical Therapist Qualification Standard in VA Handbook 5005, Appendix II-G12
• For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12
• Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over, use of fingers, both hands required, reaching above shoulder, walking (8 hours), standing (8 hours), both legs required (1 prosthetic), far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing (Aid permitted), and mental and emotional stability.