About this role
Job SummaryThis position is in the Physical Therapy Section within Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service. The Physical Therapist (PT) at this level provides assessment and treatment intervention on an independent basis across the continuum of care and services. S/he is expected to carry out general duty assignments. This position supports the Medical Center, community-based outpatient clinics (CBOC), and Comprehensive Integrated Inpatient Rehabilitation Program (CIIRP) referrals.
QualificationsApplicants 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: (1) Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. (2) Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. (3) 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. 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. English Language Proficiency. Individuals appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 7 4, 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. Grandfathering: 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). 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. Grade Determinations: GS-11 Physical Therapist (Entry Level): (a) Education, Experience, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-12. Physical Therapist (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: 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 as Neurologic Physical Therapist. NCS is not required but relevant work experience should be noted. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. 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.
Major DutiesThe duties of the position may include but are not limited to the following: GS-11 General Duties: The staff physical therapist is a registered professional therapist who is primarily responsible for evaluating, planning and implementing the treatment program for patients with various disabilities and medical conditions. The therapist functions as an independent care provider within the healthcare team making autonomous clinical decisions in a Direct Access environment. To function at the GS-11 level, the therapist must have a complete knowledge and depth of problem-solving skills to develop and modify the treatments programs for a wide variety of disabilities. The therapist functioning at the GS-11 level will be expected to apply thorough evaluation principles to tease out difficult clinical symptoms. They will need to exhibit flexibility in problem solving as required by the findings on evaluation. Treatments instituted by the GS-11level clinician will be based on current research and evidence-based practices. The therapist is responsible for his/her own professional development, keeping current with treatment techniques as well as licensure. GS-11 Clinical Duties Interprets the prescriptions requesting PT using specialized skills and medical knowledge in the evaluation of the patients' medical condition. Evaluates the patient's present functional level and disabilities. Ages of patients served at this facility range from the young adult ages 20-end of life. There is great variance in the developmental needs of these patients. Every effort will be taken to modify treatment in response to these variances so that optimal care can be provided for each patient referred for physical medicine and rehabilitation services. GS-11 Administrative/Education Documents clearly and concisely the objective findings noted during the evaluations as well as changes in medical status via progress notes. A therapist at this level will be able to document appropriately to support the level of care given as evaluated by peer review. This includes understanding and practicing documentation and coding practices to maximize reimbursement potential. Accurately maintains documentation in keeping with PM&R service-level and hospital-wide policies. Maintains an elevated level of professional competence through participation in continuing education such as attending workshops and conferences, and through continuous review of medical-therapeutic literature resulting in a contemporary understanding of evidence-based PT practice. GS-12 General Duties: Responsible for the examination and treatment of patients referred to the Physical Therapy Section. Provides in-service and clinical training programs in area of specialty for hospital staff. Designs, conducts, and evaluates education, experiences within specialty content area for staff members, taking an active role in Lunch and Learn, and seeks educational opportunities to enhance the Physical Therapy Section, PM&RS, and the Medical 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 Medical Center and VISN level. GS-12 Clinical Skills: Conducts comprehensive patient examinations to identify rehabilitation problems and establish treatment goals. A. Develops and implements treatment plans designed to meet established goals. B. Evaluates patient response to treatment and modifies the treatment plan to provide optimum outcome. The PT conducts examinations, treatment planning and interventions, documentation, and follow-up evaluations at the Terre Haute VA Outpatient Clinic. The PT performs examination, treatment planning and intervention, and documentation as needed for support personnel and any assigned Staff PT. Administrative Functions: Conducts record keeping related to patient care documentation and quality improvement (QI) data collection as specified by the Supervisor, Physical Therapy Section Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 7:30AM-4:00PM Telework: Not Eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #s: 92072-0 and 92654-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Not AuthorizedRequirementsYou 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. 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.