Physical Therapist

Functions as an independent care provider within the health care team with the ability to make autonomous clinical decisions.

• Will have knowledge and depth of problem solving skills to develop and modify the treatment programs for 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.
• Expected to interpret finding from examination and evaluation select appropriate test and measures and integrates findings into the physical therapy plan of care.
• Applies thorough evaluation principles to tease out difficult clinical symptoms 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.
• Determines physical therapy prognosis by incorporating examination findings with the patients preferences to set clinically appropriate treatment goals optimize outcomes and maximize functional independence.
• Exhibits flexibility in problem solving as required by the findings on evaluation.
• Establishes meaningful therapeutic goals and independently designs a treatment plan to meet the goals established in the most efficient manner.
• Adapts and modifies treatment programs as indicated by patients response to treatment on an on-going basis to better meet short-term and long-term goals.
• Completes appropriately timed re-evaluation for the patients and modifies the goals based on the information gained by re-evaluation.
• Documents initial findings treatment goals equipment recommendations follow-up progress and discharge summary in patients medical records.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday. 8:00am - 4:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• To be considered for this position you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the 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.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public determining if your employment advances the public interest we may consider:

• 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.

Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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.
• 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.
• 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 .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.

• 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.

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-12 Physical Therapist (Full Performance Level)

• Education and 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:

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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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: Two years of work experience in an outpatient clinical setting.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard please visit full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.

Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing lifting carrying sitting stooping bending puling and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.

Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted heated and ventilated. However the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.