Summary The Physical Therapist is assigned to the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service. The Physical Therapist (PT) serves those patients in any Out-Patient Clinic, Acute Care Unit, Geriatric Clinics, HBPC or CLC as patient care requirements are dictated at the New York Harbor Health Care System. The New York Harbor VA Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service provides Physical Therapy Services to Veterans at the Manhattan VAMC, Brooklyn VAMC, Saint Albans CLC and Outpatient clinics. Responsibilities The Staff Physical Therapist is a Licensed Professional who utilizes the application of goal oriented, purposeful activity in the assessment and treatment of individuals whose function is impaired by physical illness or injury, psychiatric and/or emotional disorder, congenital or developmental learning disabilities or the aging process. Licensed Physical Therapists embrace evidenced based practice standards in diagnosis, examination, management, intervention, treatment and outcome measurement. Licensed Physical Therapists collaborate across the continuum of care. The Physical Therapist will be primarily assigned to the advertised location, but may be assigned based on staffing needs to provide professional, independent physical therapy to any/all program areas that are covered by the New York Harbor VA, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Services. Incumbent is a licensed physical therapist who can perform at minimum all duties at the full performance level. He/she is responsible for administering physical therapy programs to Veterans. Incumbent provides evaluation and treatment in a timely fashion; chart review will allow the incumbent an opportunity to assess the appropriateness of the referral and possible contraindications for treatment. Incumbent's evaluation includes a medical history and results and interpretation of the appropriate tests and measurements performed. Tests are frequently complex and may need to be adapted because of multiple physical disabilities or present medical condition. Incumbent utilizes evaluation data to implement comprehensive Veteran treatment plans, involving the Veteran in a goal-setting process, if feasible. Follows established protocols, ethics and guidelines of the Physical Therapy Section and the profession. Incumbent plans. and carries out the full range of treatment where therapeutic objectives are complex and procedures involved require the application of highly specialized skills and knowledge. Incumbent modifies treatment plan according to evaluative findings on an ongoing basis to meet established goals. He/she recognizes even subtle responses or adverse reactions to treatment, initiates effective action immediately, and advises other health care team members as indicated. Incumbent must coordinate and employ several treatment approaches simultaneously to accomplish complex treatment objectives. Incumbent demonstrates a full professional understanding of the theories of treatment of physical therapy and their proper application through which the use of therapeutic physical rehabilitation and reconditioning procedures are implemented. Incumbent demonstrates knowledge of and compliance with all emergency and disaster procedures. Incumbent identifies his/her continuing education needs, attends continuing education programs and reads professional literature for the purpose of maintaining or improving knowledge and skills for work performance. Incumbent maintains current working knowledge of available technology and equipment. Incumbent appropriately assesses Veterans for durable medical equipment, adaptive /assistive devices and other recommended therapeutic equipment. When indicated, the incumbent is responsible for procurement of said equipment/devices, issuance of equipment, education and training in equipment set-up, features, routine use, troubleshooting, cleaning, infection control practices and maintenance with proper documentation. Incumbent involves the Veteran, family members, caregivers, and pertinent health care staff in the treatment process by maintaining effective communications. Incumbent plans and implements appropriate education of Veterans, families and caregivers regarding the disease and/or disability incurred and about the treatment intervention provided including resumption of life roles in the home and community environment. Incumbent plans and instructs Veterans/caregivers in home exercise programs, rehabilitation techniques, and use of assistive devices/adaptive equipment as appropriate. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm, Work Schedule is variable and may be discussed with hiring manager. Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #:00407A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure: Not Required VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY Requirements Conditions of Employment 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. 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: 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. Foreign Graduates. Graduates of foreign physical therapy programs meet the Education and Experience 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. 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: Individuals who have or have had multiple licenses and had any such license revoked for professional misconduct, professional incompetency or substandard care, or who surrendered such license after receiving written notice of potential termination of such license by the state for professional misconduct, professional incompetence, or substandard care, are not eligible for appointment to the position unless such revoked or surrendered license is fully restored (38 U.S.C 7402(f)). Effective November 30, 1999, this is a requirement for employment. This requirement does not apply to licensed physical therapists on VA rolls as of November 30, 1999, provided the individual maintains a continuous appointment and is not disqualified for employment by any subsequent revocations or voluntary surrenders of State license, registration or certification. Grandfathering Provision. All licensed PTs employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard 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. 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 REQUIREMENTS: Creditable Experience. (1) Knowledge of Contemporary Professional Physical Therapy Practice. To be creditable, a candidate must have demonstrated possession of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with the scope of physical therapy practice. The candidate's experience may be evidenced by one or more of the following: (a) Active professional practice. Active professional practice means paid/non-paid employment as a professional PT as defined by APTA or the appropriate licensing board. Experience gained after graduation but prior to licensure is creditable provided the candidate was utilized as a graduate PT and subsequently passed the licensure examination. (b) Completion of a post-graduate fellowship or a post-graduate residency program may be substituted for creditable experience on a year for year basis. (2) Quality of Experience. Experience is only creditable if it was post degree experience as a professional PT and is directly related to the duties to be performed. Qualifying experience must also be at a level comparable to or exceeding the professional PT experience at the next lower grade level. 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-11 Physical Therapist (Entry) Education, Experience, and Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements. 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. 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 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. 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. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. Education Note Prior to 1995 the terminal degree for PT's was either a bachelors or master's degree. In 1995 CAPTE accredited all baccalaureate, master's, 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 postbaccalaureate 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: 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/. Additional Information Preferred Experience: Clinical experience providing physical therapy services to Veterans in both Outpatient and Community Living Center (CLC) settings, addressing a broad range of diagnoses including orthopedic, neurological, post-surgical, cardiopulmonary, and geriatric conditions. Proficient in delivering evidence-based interventions for both short-stay rehabilitation and long-term maintenance care, with emphasis on restoring functional mobility, promoting independence, and enhancing quality of life. Experience working within an interdisciplinary team, collaborating effectively with physicians, nursing, occupational therapy, social work, and other disciplines to provide comprehensive, Veteran-centered care across levels of complexity. Knowledge of VA documentation standards, including use of CPRS, encounter capture, functional outcome measures, and adherence to timeliness and quality benchmarks as required by VHA policies. Skilled in patient and caregiver education, durable medical equipment (DME) and adaptive equipment prescription, and home program development tailored to Veteran-specific needs and goals. Ability to manage complex caseloads, prioritize acute and chronic care demands, and demonstrate flexibility in balancing Outpatient and CLC responsibilities within a dynamic healthcare environment. Physical Requirements: Pre-placement and periodic physical examinations are required for hybrid occupations 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. 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.
