Summary 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 $200,000) & 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. Responsibilities VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY This is in Physical Therapy Section within Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service of Chalmers P. Wylie Ambulatory Care Center in Columbus, OH located at the Marion, Ohio CBOC. The Physical Therapist provides assessment and treatment intervention on an independent basis across the continuum of care and services provided by the PM&R Service in an outpatient clinic environment for mostly orthopedic/neurological/geriatric concerns. Scope of Assigned Duties / General Skills: Responsible for the examination and treatment of patients referred to the Physical Therapy Department. Ability to make autonomous clinical decisions in a Direct Access environment that includes the ability to independently evaluate and treat patients who seek physical therapy services. Responsible for the management of the physical therapy plan of care when administered by a Physical Therapy Assistant. 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. Assists with maintaining good clinic utilization by screening consults for appropriateness, educating patients about the importance of attending their scheduled appointments, and notifying the clerical staff when discharged or erroneous patients appear on the schedule. Provides in-service as assigned by the Supervisor, Physical Therapy Department. Seeks educational opportunities to enhance the Physical Therapy Department, PM&RS Service, and Ambulatory Care Center. Establishes and maintains contact with other key staff involved in patient care via written, telephone, and personal communication on a regular basis at the VAACC and VISN level. Develops and provides timely reports to the Supervisor, Physical Therapy Department. Represents the Physical Therapy Department and PM&RS Service at various clinical and administrative meetings/ rounds at the discretion of the Supervisor, Physical Therapy Department. The Physical Therapist will complete any other duties as assigned by the Supervisor. Clinical Skills: Conducts comprehensive patient examinations to identify rehabilitation problems and establish treatment goals. Develops and implements treatment plans designed to meet established goals. Evaluates patient response to treatment and modifies the treatment plan to provide optimum outcome. Directs the care provided by the PTA for the evaluated patients. The PT performs examination, treatment planning and intervention, and documentation as needed for support personnel. The PT instructs patients and caregiver in the safe use of Durable Medical Equipment, Assistive Devices, and other maintenance modalities intended for home use. The PT can work with patients from a wide range of ages and backgrounds. The PT demonstrates competence in the examination and treatment of patients in the following areas: Geriatric Rehabilitation Musculoskeletal Disorders Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Stroke and Head Injury Arthritis Spinal Cord Injury Chronic Pain Amputation Post Surgical/Joint Replacement Assistive Technology Health Promotion Additional requirements are Documentation Skills, Communication Skills, Continuing Education and Professional Development, Administrative Functions, Environmental Functions and Supervisory Controls related to the position. Qualifications Requirements: The minimum qualifications for assignment as Physical Therapist at this grade level. Please also refer to VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-12. Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday; 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 92729-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Available EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact Lacey Adkins, lacey.adkins2@va.gov the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): 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. 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). 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 interest. In 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. 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. Must possess a valid driver's license. 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. Applicants must possess one of the following: 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. License 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. 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: In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level and hold a valid unrestricted state license. Examples of experience equivalent to GS-11 are as follows: 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; and 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. The candidate must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities: 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. Preferred Experience: Orthopedic outpatient experience and dry needing experience 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 in the range of GS-12. Physical Requirements: Physically be able to perform heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over. Must have the use of: fingers, both hands required, both legs required (to include one prosthetic), vision as needed for driver's license, hearing (aid permitted), and mental and emotional stability. Employee must be able to perform reaching above shoulder, walking (up to 8 hrs.), standing (up to 8 hrs.). Must be able to negotiate multiple flights of steps while carrying a treatment bag. 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. "VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana and Michigan (VISN 10) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the @context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being."
