Summary Physical Therapists at this level can make autonomous clinical decisions in a Direct Access environment. This includes abilities to independently evaluation and treat patients who seek physical therapy services and responsibility for providing assessment and treatment intervention. Physical Therapists plan and modify treatment based on a patient's response to intervention and/or change in medical condition. Responsibilities The Physical Therapist at this level Is a direct access independent practice professional who is responsible for evaluating patients and establishing and executing interventional treatment plans that include a full range of treatment procedures and modalities. The duties of the Physical Therapist may include but are not limited to: Clinical 1. Independently evaluates patients using standard and non-standard techniques to identify specific Physical Therapy treatment problems. 2. Independently performs tests and measurements of the patient's condition and interprets results of tests and measurements of the patient's condition for use in establishing a diagnosis within the scope of physical therapy, developing the treatment plan, modifying the treatment plan, and evaluating results of treatment. 3. Establishes short term and long-term Physical Therapy clinically appropriate patient treatment goals and implements treatment programs to meet these goals. 4. Frequently assesses the patient's progress toward Physical Therapy treatment goals; modifying the goals and treatment program as indicated. 5. Monitors patient's emergency medical needs; intolerance to treatment; changes in patient's physical/mental status; and takes appropriate action as necessary. 6. Documents and otherwise communicates results of evaluation and treatment according to PT Clinical Competency Review Criteria. 7. Participates and actively represents Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service as a liaison in ward rounds, patient planning conferences, discharge planning conferences, specialty clinics, and assigned medical or departmental meetings. 8. Maintains current knowledge and understanding of all patient care Physical Therapy treatment equipment in the department, it's use and contraindications. 9. Recognizes diversity among patients/staff and demonstrates sensitivity to cultural, age, gender, and people with disabilities. 10. Provides patient care/support that is appropriate to the cognitive, physical, and emotional needs of the patient group served. Interacts with people at all age levels ranging from adolescent through geriatric and must be aware of and respond appropriately to the physical, social, and psychological differences among these groups. 11. Recommends referral of patients to other services or programs when appropriate. 12. Provides instruction in the care and use of assistive devices, adaptive equipment, orthotic devices, and prosthesis. Fabricates such items as feasible. 13. Utilizes appropriate physical therapy modalities using exercise, massage, heat or cold, air, light, water, electricity, or sound for the purpose of correcting or alleviating any physical or mental condition, or the purpose of preventing the development of any physical or mental disability, or the performance of tests of neuromuscular function as an aid to the diagnosis or treatment of any human condition. 14. Independently solves problems not covered by standard procedures, adapts, and modifies treatment plans, activities, and procedures without supervisory guidance to meet complex and challenging needs of the patients. Assists other physical therapy staff members in modifying and adapting treatment plans 15. Serves as Clinical Instructor as assigned. 16. Other duties as assigned. Administrative 1. Maintains and promptly submits statistical reports as scheduled. 2. Identifies and corrects, if possible, any safety hazards and reports equipment malfunctions. 3. Maintains supplies at effective level for treatment and ensures their appropriate use. 4. Maintains knowledge of and acts within physical therapy scope of practice and the current policies and procedures of the department and hospital. 5. Maintains effective communication with patients, families, and other health care professionals to enhance patient care. 6. Recommends additions to departmental equipment and Physical Therapy treatment programs. 7. Supervises and guides non-licensed staff involved In Physical Therapy treatment to maintain overall responsibility of treatment. 8. Manages effective use of time/schedules for Physical Therapy. 9. Demonstrates cost containment and efficiency in all aspects of the position. Develops and initiates cost containment strategies. 10. Assures that documentation supports ICD-10 and CPT codes utilized to capture workload and for billing purpose. 11. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday ,7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (Subject to change based on the needs of the facility) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 598-00094-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. 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 medical 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 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 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 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. Grade Determinations: GS 12 (Full Performance Level) (a) 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: (b) Demonstrated 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. 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: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment. Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations. 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.
