Physical Therapist
Job Location:
Los Angeles, CA - USA
Yearly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
The GLA VA Health Care System is seeking a highly energetic candidate to fill the Physical Therapist position at the National Center for Warrior Independence (NCWI). At the NCWI we are deeply committed to ending veteran homelessness and empowering Veterans to achieve sustainable long-term independence. The physical therapist selected will be responsible for ensuring our homeless and at-risk veterans will maintain their maximal level of mobility and function to promote their independence.
Duties include but are not limited to:
- Responsible for high quality examination and treatment of patients referred to and/or independently/directly accessing Physical Therapy Services.
- Develops and implements physical therapy patient education content based on the most current evidenced based practice.
- Provides in-service and clinical training programs as assigned by the Physical Therapy Supervisor and respective chain of command.
- Designs conducts and evaluates educational experiences on physical therapy subject matter for staff members and seeks educational opportunities to enhance the Physical Therapy Department PM&RS and GLAVAHCS.
- Establishes and maintains collaborative contact with other key staff involved in patient care via written telephone and personal communication on a regular basis at the GLA HCS and VISN 22.
- Maintains timely data input utilizing care plans initial assessments and /or specialty protocols as part of an ongoing process in coordination with other key interdisciplinary staff to provide effective patient care.
- Professionally represents the Physical Therapy Department and PM&RS at various clinical and administrative meetings/rounds at the discretion of the Physical Therapy Supervisor(s).
- Performs physical therapy evaluation and treatments male and female ages ranging from adult to geriatric having a variety of disabilities. These cases may be complex in nature with chronic and acute disease entities including but not limited to central nervous system disorder joint diseases circulatory and pulmonary diseases diabetes mellitus altered thought processes and multisystem disease combinations. Has the ability to determine the most appropriate plan of care relative to the patients diagnosis age developmental level and cultural needs. Skills were obtained through formal education and are maintained by continuing education.
- Work with Physical Therapy Assistant to ensure care is provided at the highest level for every veteran eligible for the National Center for Warrior Independence.
Work Schedule: Full-time Monday through Friday:or 0800-1630
Functional Statement #: 00000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for highly qualified applicants.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized.
This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval award amount (up to $200000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: VA Careers - Physical Therapy: 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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:
- Bachelors degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist OR
- Masters degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist OR
- Doctorate degree in physical therapy OR
- Foreign Graduates: Graduates of foreign physical therapy programs meet the requirements above 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: 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 . 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). All licensed PTs employed in VHA on the effective February 7 2018 are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title series and grade held including positive education and licensure that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard but who met the Grandfathering Provision 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 - 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
Applicant must meet the knowledge skills and abilities listed 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.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard please visit full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.
Physical Requirements: The incumbent must demonstrate the ability to walk distances within the facility on a daily basis and tolerate standing repeated bending reaching overhead and pushing Veterans and objects for up to four hours a regular shift prolonged sitting and physically assist patients with moderate lifting and carrying of up to 15-44 pounds. Safe handling and lifting techniques are to be used based on current policy of the facility in relation the Safe Patient Handling and Movement Program.
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges universities schools or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information visit:
Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38 and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicants criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations Security and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Required Experience:
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