Physical Therapist

CLINICAL

• Evaluates and determines extent of disability and present level of functioning.
• Demonstrates proficient use of basic standardized testing equipment and tools.
• Performs and documents pertinent evaluation results within time frames consistent with care settings or department policy.
• Assesses and incorporates methods to address individuals physical cognitive learning needs social economic and psychosocial limitations.
• Chooses appropriate evaluation tools that are consistent with client diagnosis history and subjective complaints.
• Identifies patients impairments develops functional problem list and incorporates into functional goals related to customer goals.
• Progress towards all goals in consistently assessed revised and documented per department policy.
• Refers customers appropriately if the diagnosis is outside scope of expertise.
• Sets measurable and realistic short and/or long-term goals based on clients medical status anticipated therapeutic outcome(s) and customers input.
• Investigates living environment where and when appropriate for safety hazards and necessary modifications by discussion with appropriate caregiver or client.
• Interprets results documents observations and make recommendations to families teachers medical staff nursing social work and other professionals.
• Develops a written plan of care prior to therapy treatments to include physical psychosocial environment and educational needs as they relate to therapy.
• Effectively and independently treats customers using established plan of care according to professional standards and medical center regulations.
• Adapts activity and/or equipment application according to customers goals tolerance progress toward desired therapeutic outcome and/or equipment function.
• Assesses effectiveness of current treatment program; modifies or discontinues treatment program as needed.
• Communicates with customer customers family or legal guardian and/or other caregivers about the risks purpose and benefits of the treatment/intervention and anticipated therapeutic outcomes.
• Involves customer/family and interdisciplinary team in treatment planning.
• Follows established documentation policies and guidelines.
• Documents pertinent background information prior and current level of functioning treatment goals results prognosis and specific recommendations.
• Discusses and coordinates customers/caregivers needs with other health care professionals as indicated.
• Identifies customers and caregiver goals and limitations and modifies according to client and family response as per random chart audit.
• Verifies and documents caregiver/caregivers understanding of information.
• Offers recommendations to parents/guardians regarding activities appropriate for caregiver.
• Recommend to families teachers and other professionals the therapeutic approaches for physical therapy intervention.
• Acts as a liaison with other departments within the organization is responsive to needs follows up when appropriate and updates and informs Supervisor as appropriate.
• Follows up on complaints by customer/staff to provide resolution in a timely manner.
• Demonstrates responsibility for scope of position/own standard of practice.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Instructs client family and/or caregiver in therapeutic activities.
• Instructs caregiver family and/or caregivers in use of equipment.
• Provides for the orientation and training of staff including competency development.
• Provides for the continuing education of staff through the use of in-services training sessions and/or educational materials.
• Always attends mandatory in-services and/or makes arrangements with the appropriate supervisor for satisfactory compliance.
• Maintains current knowledge in present areas of responsibility.

• Makes suggestions regarding purchase of new equipment and supplies when necessary.
• Maintains rehab equipment and supplies in a clean and orderly condition.
• Provides feedback to supervisor in a timely manner to ensure that all annual performance evaluations are completed by the due date.
• Evaluates day-to-day operational performance in relation to department objectives and established standards.
• Discusses and resolves employee relations issues according to established procedure.
• Ensures adequate inventory of supplies and equipment is available and in working order within the department.
• Ensures ongoing compliance with all regulatory standards.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. 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. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a trial period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

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:

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.

English Language Proficiency: Orthotists prosthetists or orthotist/prosthetists must be proficient in spoken and written as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d).

Education and Experience: The individual must meet at least one of the requirements below:

(1) Bachelors degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist.
(2) Masters degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist.
(3) Doctorate degree in physical therapy.

NOTE: Prior to 1995 the terminal degree for PTs was either a bachelors or masters 1995 CAPTE accredited all baccalaureate masters 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 .

(4) 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. FSBPTs 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 FSBPTs Coursework Tool.

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.

NOTE. Individuals who have or have had multiple licenses and had any such license revoked for professional misconduct professional incompetency or substandard care or who surrendered such license after receiving written notice of potential termination of such license by the state for professional misconduct professional incompetence or substandard care are not eligible for appointment to the position unless such revoked or surrendered license is fully restored (38 U.S.C 7402(f)). Effective November 30 1999 this is a requirement for employment. This requirement does not apply to licensed physical therapists on VA rolls as of November 30 1999 provided the individual maintains a continuous appointment and is not disqualified for employment by any subsequent revocations or voluntary surrenders of State license registration or certification.
Loss of Credential: A PT who fails to maintain the required license must be removed from the occupation which may result in termination of employment. At the discretion of the appointing official an employee may be reassigned to another occupation if qualified and if a placement opportunity exists.

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:
GS-11 Physical Therapist (Entry)

Education Experience and Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements.

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:
to make autonomous clinical decisions in a Direct Access environment. This includes ability to independently evaluate and treat patients who seek physical therapy services.
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.
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.
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.
to determine physical therapy prognosis by incorporating examination findings with the patients preferences in order to set clinically appropriate treatment goals optimize outcomes and maximize functional independence.
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: For more information on this qualification standard please visit 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: The incumbent must demonstrate the ability to walk to get to other facility locations on a daily basis standing repeated bending reaching overhead and pushing Veterans and objects for up to four hours a regular shift prolonged sitting moderate lifting and carrying of 15-44 pounds.