Physical Therapist

VA Careers - Physical Therapy: Functions: Patient Care
Performs patient evaluations the physical therapists:

• Veterans are scheduled for evaluation considering caseload complexity and acuity of medical condition. Coordinates Veteran schedule with other interdisciplinary team members.
• Guided by differential (screen for systemic diseases and medical conditions that can mimic neuromuscular and musculoskeletal problems) and movement (examine and evaluate the movement system -including diagnosis and prognosis- to provide a customized and integrated plan of care to achieve the individuals goal-directed outcomes) diagnoses.
• Perform examinations and evaluations of adult and geriatric individuals with acute and chronic injuries 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 personal and environmental factors.
• Review of medical records to interpret findings from examination diagnostic studies and/or medical tests; selecting clinical tests and measures; and integrates findings into the physical therapy plan of care for the full range of patient populations using relevant evidence-based data and norms. Establish a diagnosis within the scope of physical therapy and identify the appropriate intervention to treat and/or refer to another provider for further consultation when needed.
• Determine physical therapy prognosis by incorporating examination findings with the patients preferences for meaningful level of function in order to set clinically appropriate treatment goals and optimize outcomes. Evaluates and recommends appropriate equipment needed to substitute for loss of function or to substitute for limited function of individuals they treat. Therapist has knowledge experience and skill in the prescription fitting and training in orthotics/prosthetic devices assistive devices adaptive equipment and assistive technology utilized in the outpatient setting.

• 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.
• 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 identification 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).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the Required Documents section of this announcement.

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

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:
  • Bachelors degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist.
  • Masters 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 drivers 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 drivers 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.

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. 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.
4. Ability 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. 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.

• 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.