Summary A staff physical therapist evaluates patients, plans, establishes and provides a full range of comprehensive treatment procedures designed to improve or restore function through the use of physical modalities, therapeutic exercise, education, prostheses, assistive devices, and/or any other modality within the scope of physical therapy as outlined by the American Physical Therapy Association. Responsibilities VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY Therapist will practice physical therapy primarily at a single campus but may participate in temporary assignments throughout STVHCS as directed by therapy supervisor. Settings and areas of coverage may include but are not limited to: Outpatient, Inpatient Acute, Aquatic, Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center, Polytrauma Transitional Rehab Program, Post deployment Accelerated Comprehensive Evaluation Rehabilitation, Polytrauma Reintegration Outpatient, Spinal Cord Injury Center, Community Living Center, Home Based Primary Care, Northwest Health Care Center, New Braunfels Outpatient Clinic, Hardy Oak clinic, and Kerrville Campus inpatient and outpatient physical therapy programs. Clinical: Staff PT at this grade level and are considered to be at the entry level. Staff PTs at this level are responsible for providing assessment of patients and treatment interventions. They are assigned to all program areas which are covered by Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service and provide professional, independent physical therapy services in the assigned area(s). PTs at this level may be given general assignments in any physical therapy program area where the advanced specialized knowledge is not required on a recurring basis due to the patient population served and complexity of the facility and/or treatment area. They may serve as the sole PT at a less complex facility or outpatient clinic. Administration: Maintain attendance records and submit monthly reports and statistics. Maintain procedures consistent with STVHCS policies. Assist in the development of standards of care to ensure compliance with professional accrediting organizations. Maintain all data for quality assurance monitoring and evaluate data at specific intervals. Maintain adequate level of supplies. Maintain equipment in safe and operable condition through inspection and submission of work orders, as necessary. Other duties as assigned. Education. Supervise and train physical therapy students and volunteers. If assigned, act as clinical education coordinator for the Physical Therapy Section. Provide in-services training for physical therapy staff and other professionals, as necessary. Orient visitors and volunteers to the role of physical therapy. Maintain professional state license and competency through continuing education. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30-4:00pm Telework: Ad-hoc Telework Functional Statement #: 54320-F, 54271-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification 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). 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: 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: Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. 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 www.apta.org. Licensure. 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 www.apta.org. 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. See Chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. 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: In addition to the basic requirements for appointment, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates. 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: 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.. 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 patient's 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: 2+ years of outpatient experience within the last 5 years Proficiency in a direct access environment considering differential diagnoses Experience working in an interdisciplinary manner Competent managing chronic pain and chronic musculoskeletal complaints Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Employee will conduct patient assessments and executing therapy treatment plans. Heavy Lifting,45 pounds and over, Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds, Light carrying, under 15 pounds, Straight pulling (.5 hrs), Pushing (.5 hrs),Reaching above shoulder, Use of fingers Both hands required, Walking (.5 hrs), Standing (.5 hrs), Crawling (.5 hrs), Kneeling (.5 hrs), Repeated bending 1 hrs), Climbing, legs only (.5 hrs), Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneous, Specific visual requirement Corrective lenses okay, Both eyes required, Ability to distinguish basic colors, Hearing (aid may be permitted), mental and emotional stability. Education 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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. 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 www.apta.org. NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or 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 applicant's 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.
