Physical Therapist (Neurological)

30 Day Hiring Model

The Department of Veterans Affairs is implementing a streamlined 30-Day Hiring Model designed to accelerate hiring while maintaining the highest standards of merit-based selection. This improved process reduces traditional hiring timelines by integrating early coordination faster assessments and efficient pre-employment actions. Applicants can expect a more transparent predictable and efficient hiring journey from announcement to entry on duty.

What Applicants Can Expect

• Expedited Candidate Review Once the announcement closes Human Resources will quickly review applications issue certificates of eligible candidates the day after the announcement closes and refer applicants for hiring manager consideration.
• Quick Interviews & References

HR may arrange interviews and will request references within 3-5 days after being referred to the hiring manager.

• Streamlined Pre-Employment Requirements: Following a tentative offer applicants should be prepared to complete required steps such as fingerprinting and background check credentialing and medical examination within 3 days of the offer.
• Clear and Timely Communication: Applicants will receive clear communication at key milestones including referral tentative offer and onboarding instructions.

After meeting pre-employment requirements candidates will receive a final job offer and start date. Onboarding tasks may continue after starting with HR ensuring timely completion for a smooth transition into VA service.

If selected applicants should be prepared to come onboard within 30 days of the announcement closing.

VA Careers - Physical Therapy: of the Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist) - Neurology include but are not limited to the following:

• Serves as a subject matter expert in the areas of neurologic pain and musculoskeletal dysfunction and as a consultant to Physical Therapy and other Medical Center staff in the evaluation and treatment of these patients.
• Demonstrates advanced knowledge and expert clinical skills in providing assessment and treatment interventions across the continuum of care.
• Serves as a mentor to other therapists/students in the evaluation and treatment of the area of neurologic PT.
• Provides in-service and clinical training programs in the area of neurologic PT.
• Designs conducts and evaluates educational experiences for staff members in the area of neurologic PT.
• Establishes and maintains contact with other key staff involved in patient care via written telephone and personal communication on a regular basis at the VA Medical Center and VISN level.
• Develops and provides timely reports to the Supervisor Physical Therapy Department or Rehab Coordinator and Chief of PM&R.
• Responsible for Physical Therapy representation in interdisciplinary rounds in conjunction with neurologic PT services. Serves as Rehab Care Line representative in areas of neurologic PT as assigned.

Work Schedule: Full-Time Tours may vary depending on the needs of the service.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 00000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

• 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 evaluation.
• 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.

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:

(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: 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 .

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

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- 13 Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist)Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level and one of the following:

1. Evidence of a minimum of 2000 hours of clinical practice directly in the specialty area. This time must be between the past two and five years; OR

2. Board Certification in the specialty area recognized by the ABPTS; OR
3. Completion of a fellowship program; OR4. An additional advanced degree in a related field.

In addition the candidate must demonstrate all following KSAs.

Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities

1. Advanced knowledge and expert skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in a specialized treatment area of physical therapy.
2. Ability to serve as a consultant and subject matter expert for health care providers regarding the delivery of care within a specialized content area of physical therapy.
3. Ability to teach and mentor medical center staff in a specialized content area of physical therapy.
4. Ability to guide the work of a multi-disciplinary team in a specialized content area of physical therapy.
5. Advanced knowledge and expert skill to perform and interpret specialized procedures and tests in evaluating the treatment outcomes in the assigned specialty content area.

Assignment. For all assignments above the full performance level the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope complexity (difficulty) and variety. Clinical Specialists spend at least 25% or greater of their time working with specialized population(s) within their department. Physical therapists at this level perform assignments in specialty areas such as geriatrics neurology cardiopulmonary orthopedics spinal cord injury amputee wound care chronic pain electromyography womens health or pelvic health polytrauma brain injury lymphedema vestibular assistive technology seating and mobility. The individual is assigned responsibility for serving as the subject matter expert in the content specialty area and as a consultant to physical therapy and other medical center staff in evaluating and treating patients in the specialty area. Clinical Specialists have advanced knowledge and demonstrate expert clinical practice skills in providing assessment and treatment interventions across the continuum of care. He/she utilizes advanced knowledge and expertise to modify treatment plans and to identify therapeutic activity interventions based on the changing needs goals and performance of patients. Clinical Specialists have advanced training in specialized technology related to their area of practice. He/she establishes and maintains contact with other health care providers involved in patient care via written telephone and personal communication on a regular basis. He/she exercises expert professional judgment to establish appropriate discharge planning recommendations to ensure safe discharge from inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation programs. If the medical center has a PT residency program the clinical specialist may be on faculty for the program.

Preferred Experience:

• Neurologic Clinical Specialist (NCS) certification through APTA- 5 years of clinical practice demonstrating progressive responsibility and clinical judgment
• Experience across both inpatient and outpatient settings with strong competency in managing diverse neurologic caseloads
• History of instructing or supervising students including providing structured feedback supporting skill development and contributing to clinical education initiatives

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard please visit full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13.

Physical Requirements: The incumbent of the position will meet and maintain physical and drug test program requirements for the position as required. There will be periods of walking and ambulating patients providing patient transfers some lifting of 35 pounds and supporting patients. Much of this position will involve sedentary work involving computers and communications.