Summary The Physical Therapist evaluates the patients' present functional levels and disabilities. Ages of patients served at this facility range from the young adult age 20-30, middle aged patients age 30-40, to the elderly or geriatric patient age 60 and older. There is great variance in the functional needs of patients. Every effort will be made to modify treatment so that optimal care can be provided for each patient referred for physical medicine and rehabilitation services. Responsibilities The Physical Therapist primary function is to provide direct patient care at the Bruce W. Carter VA Medical Center. The incumbent plans, develops, and implements comprehensive, routine treatment programs for individual patients or groups of patients to relieve pain, restore or enhance performance, and maximize ability to function as employees at this level serving as a entry level PT. Performs appropriate assessments, evaluations, and treatments, involved in the prevention of physical disability, movement dysfunction, and pain resulting from injury, disease, disability, or other health-related conditions. Additional functions include the interpretation of tests and measurements to assess normal parameters of physiological functions as well as pathophysiological, pathomechanical, electrophysiological, ergonomic, and developmental deficits of bodily systems to determine diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and prevention. This physical therapist works with patients to identify any of a variety of possible impediments, including safety hazards, access problems, and home or office design barriers. The physical therapist will suggest modifications to the environment (e.g., grab bars in the shower, ramps, raised toilet seats, increased lighting) that will allow the patient/client to improve functioning in the home, workplace, and other settings. The incumbent provides patient care/support services to a population of patients, young adult to geriatric, which is characterized by a significant number of older male patients. Duties may include but are not limited to: GS-11 Level A therapist functioning at the GS 11 with full performance to GS-12 level is expected to make changes to the treatment intervention based on patient response to treatment in a manner that utilizes creative thinking and problem solving that goes beyond the typical diagnosis-based treatment pathways in order to reach maximal outcomes. The GS 11 to GS 12 level clinician will provide treatment to patients with the diagnoses of upper and lower extremity orthopedic surgery; degenerative conditions of the spine including spinal stenosis, spondylosis, and spondylolisthesis; mild to severely impaired patients with stroke and other brain injury; musculoskeletal disorders; central and peripheral neurological diagnoses; and cardio/pulmonary conditions status post-surgery or medical treatment. GS-12 Level A therapist functioning at full performance to GS-12 level is expected to make changes to the treatment intervention based on patient response to treatment in a manner that utilizes creative thinking and problem solving that goes beyond the typical diagnosis-based treatment pathways in order to reach maximal outcomes. The GS 12 level clinician will provide treatment to patients with the diagnoses of upper and lower extremity orthopedic surgery; degenerative conditions of the spine including spinal stenosis, spondylosis, and spondylolisthesis; mild to severely impaired patients with stroke and other brain injury; musculoskeletal disorders; central and peripheral neurological diagnoses; and cardio/pulmonary conditions status post-surgery or medical treatment. At ALL Levels Establishes meaningful, realistic ad measurable therapeutic goals and designs a treatment plan to meet the goals established in the most efficient manner. Completes appropriately timed reevaluations for the patients and modifies the goals based on the information gained by reevaluation. Communicates effectively with medical providers as needed. The clinician is expected to provide physical therapy on VA supported virtual platforms as well as face to face interventions. The clinician will interact with all stakeholders in a courteous, respectful and helpful manner actively supporting the Mission and Vision of the Miami V AHCS and PMR. The Physical Therapist will adhere to all patient confidentiality, HIPPA and cyber security regulations with respect to patient information in compliance with the Medical Center's "Patient Rights and Responsibilities". Serves as a resource person to the Community and/or the Facility in matters related to Physical Therapy, the delivery of health care, and the needs of the veteran population. In addition, the therapist is responsible for his/her own professional development, keeping current with treatment techniques as well as licensure. He/She may be assigned to all program areas which are covered by the Service and provide professional, independent physical therapy services in the assigned area. The therapist is responsible for maintaining comprehensive knowledge and skills for each therapy area. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm (Including Weekends/Holidays on a rotational basis) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PD30214F and PD30961F 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. 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). 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: Be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a). Education and/or Experience-Transcripts Supplied - The individual must meet at least one of the following requirements below: Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist.-OR- Master's Degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist.-OR- Doctorate degree in physical therapy. PLEASE NOTE: Individuals must be a graduate of a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredited college or university. Foreign Graduates - Graduates of foreign physical therapy programs meet the requirements if they have a current, full, active, and unrestricted license to practice physical therapy in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. State Licensure. Candidates must possess a full, current, and unrestricted state license to practice physical therapy in a state, territory or Commonwealth of the United States (i.e. Puerto Rico), or in the District of Columbia. EXCEPTION: Non-licensed physical therapists (PT's), who otherwise meet the Basic Requirements, may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate PT at the GS-11 grade level for a period not-to-exceed two years. 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 GRADE REQUIREMENTS - In addition to the Basic Requirements provided in the Physical Therapist Qualification Standard GS-0633 Veterans Health Administration - February 7, 2018, the following are the grade requirements. Grade Determinations for Physical Therapist GS-11: GS-11 Experience, Education, or Licensure: No post-educational experience, education, or licensure is required at the GS-11 level beyond the Basic Requirements. Assignment. PTs at this level are responsible for providing assessment and treatment intervention. PTs plan and modify treatment based on a patient's response to intervention and/or change in medical condition. PTs at this level may be given general assignments in any physical therapy program area where advanced specialized knowledge is not required or may serve as the sole PT such as in an outpatient clinic. Licensed PTs may provide oversight and delegate patient care responsibilities to a Physical Therapist Assistant, and/or delegate non-patient care duties to a non-licensed staff. PT's that are not licensed must practice under the close supervision of a licensed PT. Grade Determinations for Physical Therapist GS-12: GS-12 Experience, Education, AND Licensure (Submitted): In addition to the Basic Requirements, a Physical Therapist at the full performance GS-12 level MUST be licensed AND possess at least one (1) year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level directly related to the position being filled. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs: 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Assignment. At the full performance level, PTs are responsible for independently providing assessment and treatment interventions to inpatients and outpatients received through healthcare provider referrals and patient self-referrals. Guided by differential and movement diagnoses, PTs perform 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 personal and environmental factors. See the referenced Qualification Standard for additional information. Preferred Experience: New Graduate and/or PT with Experience Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/OHRM/QualificationStandards/HT38/0633-PhysicalTherapist.pdf The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 to GS-12. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 pounds or over); light carrying (under 15 pounds); straight pushing (.5 hours); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking (.5 hours); standing (.5 hours); crawling (.5 hours); kneeling (.5 hours); repeated bending (1 hour); climbing, legs only (.5 hours); climbing, use of legs and arms; operation of crane, truck, tractor or motor vehicle; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; specific visual requirement (corrective lenses okay); both eyes required; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid may be permitted); mental and emotional stability. 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/. 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.
