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 experience: The individual must meet at least one of the requirements below: 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 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
• Physical Requirements: Pre-placement and periodic physical examinations are required for PTs to ensure workers are placed in positions where they can perform the essential functions of their job considering their physical, mental and emotional capacities, without endangering their health or the health of their co-workers
• Drivers License: A current, state issued driver's license is required for this position
• Note: We cannot accept photographs, therefor
• do not submit a copy of your license with your application package
• If an interview is requested, you will be required to provide a copy of your current, valid state issued driver's license
• A pre-placement examination will be required to be able to determine if the incumbent is able to safely operate a Government Vehicle
• 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
• Grandfathering Provision: Applies only to current VHA Physical Therapists (PTs) who meet the eligibility criteria
• All PTs employed by VHA on the effective date of this standard are considered qualified for their current title, series, and grade
• Employees who met prior qualification requirements but do not meet all current standards may: Be reassigned, promoted up to the full performance level, or moved to a lower grade within the PT occupation
• Not have temporary appointments extended or be reappointed unless they meet all current qualification requirements
• Maintain grandfathered status until they obtain the required education and/or licensure, at which point they must maintain those credentials as a condition of employment
• Lose grandfathered status if they leave the occupation and must then meet the qualification standards in effect when reentering
• 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: 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: Experience in providing clinical guidance to PT practitioners in the Acute Care (Inpatient and Outpatient) areas
• 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
• Demonstrates clinical skills for both Inpatient and Outpatient population Experience in Acute Surgical Care, ICU Care, and Acute Care rehab
• Demonstrates the ability to identify and resolve interpersonal or professional conflicts when dealing with patients and members of the organization
• 3 years of experience in rehab setting of Outpatients and Acute Inpatients
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS12 Physical Requirements: A pre-placement examination is required to be able to determine if the incumbent is able to safely operate a Government Vehicle
• Up to 4-6 hours of the following: walking, standing, repeated bending Up to 1-2 hours of the following: straight pulling, puling hand over hand, pushing, crawling, climbing and kneeling
• Required lifting light (under 15 pounds) to moderate (up to 44 pounds) and carrying light (under 15 pounds) to moderate (up to 44 pounds)
• Required functional hearing with/without hearing aids, Near vision correctable at 13-16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, both eyes required, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors
• Reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands and legs required
• Sitting is required for meetings, administrative work and occasionally driving motor vehicle most of the day (ability to drive is required)
• The position demands significant physical stress and strain such as transferring patients, crouching/crawling on mats, and occasionally defending self against combative patients assigned to the incumbent
• Work may require good physical health, normal use of arms and legs and good visual and auditory acuity, to evaluate and treat patients, and to use computer, keyboard, monitor, phone, etc
• Work is performed in the clinics, wards, exercise areas, office, conference rooms, and occasionally in the home
• May be exposed to infectious diseases, medical/psychiatric emergencies.