Physical Therapist
At the full performance level, you will independently provide assessment and treatment interventions to inpatients and outpatients received through healthcare provider referrals and patient self-referrals. Your responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:
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. Interpret findings from examination, diagnostic studies/medical tests and, during evaluation, select appropriate clinical tests and measures, and then integrate findings into the physical therapy plan of care for the full range of patient populations. Establish a diagnosis within the scope of physical therapy and identify the appropriate intervention to treat and/or refer to another provider for further consultation when needed. Determine physical therapy prognosis by incorporating examination findings with the patient's preferences for meaningful level of function in order to set clinically appropriate treatment goals and optimize outcomes. Select appropriate equipment needed to substitute for loss of function or to substitute for limited function of individuals they treat. Make recommendations and referrals to other medical specialties/services as clinically indicated during ongoing assessment of patients under their care. Modify the treatment plan, therapeutic activities and interventions based on the changing needs, goals and performance of the patient. Perform competent written documentation of initial examinations, progress notes and discharge summaries. Enter consults for rehabilitation equipment in accordance with department and medical center policies. Perform ancillary assignments as deemed appropriate given the needs of the facility on an occasional basis, where the amount of work is not substantial (less than 25% of the duty time). Work Schedule:
Monday - Friday, 7:
30 am - 4:
00 pm Financial Disclosure Report:
Not Required Recruitment/Relocation Incentive:
Not Authorized 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:
To qualify for appointment, all applicants for the position of physical therapist in VHA must meet the following:
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:
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. Licensure:
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. NOTE:
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:
Be proficient in written and spoken English. 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:
In addition to the meeting basic requirements listed above, applicants must meet the following grade requirements:
GS-11 Physical Therapist (Entry):
None beyond the basic requirements. GS-12 Physical Therapist (Full-Performance Level):
In addition to meeting the basic requirements for appointment, applicants must have at least one (1) year of physical therapist experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in Federal Service; hold a valid unrestricted state license; and demonstrate all of the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below. Examples of qualifying experience include, but are not limited to, providing assessment and treatment intervention; planning and modifying treatment based on a patient's response to intervention and/or change in medical condition; providing oversight and delegating patient care responsibilities to a physical therapy assistant; and delegating non-patient care duties to non-licensed staff. 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. References:
VA Handbook, 5005, Part II, Appendix G12, Physical Therapist Qualification Standard. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11 to GS-12. Physical Requirements:
Heavy lifting 50 pounds and over; use of fingers; both hands required; reaching above shoulder; walking (8 hours); standing (8 hours); both legs required (1 prosthetic); far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in other; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing (aid permitted); mental and emotional stability.
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
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. Interpret findings from examination, diagnostic studies/medical tests and, during evaluation, select appropriate clinical tests and measures, and then integrate findings into the physical therapy plan of care for the full range of patient populations. Establish a diagnosis within the scope of physical therapy and identify the appropriate intervention to treat and/or refer to another provider for further consultation when needed. Determine physical therapy prognosis by incorporating examination findings with the patient's preferences for meaningful level of function in order to set clinically appropriate treatment goals and optimize outcomes. Select appropriate equipment needed to substitute for loss of function or to substitute for limited function of individuals they treat. Make recommendations and referrals to other medical specialties/services as clinically indicated during ongoing assessment of patients under their care. Modify the treatment plan, therapeutic activities and interventions based on the changing needs, goals and performance of the patient. Perform competent written documentation of initial examinations, progress notes and discharge summaries. Enter consults for rehabilitation equipment in accordance with department and medical center policies. Perform ancillary assignments as deemed appropriate given the needs of the facility on an occasional basis, where the amount of work is not substantial (less than 25% of the duty time). Work Schedule:
Monday - Friday, 7:
30 am - 4:
00 pm Financial Disclosure Report:
Not Required Recruitment/Relocation Incentive:
Not Authorized 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:
To qualify for appointment, all applicants for the position of physical therapist in VHA must meet the following:
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:
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. Licensure:
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. NOTE:
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:
Be proficient in written and spoken English. 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:
In addition to the meeting basic requirements listed above, applicants must meet the following grade requirements:
GS-11 Physical Therapist (Entry):
None beyond the basic requirements. GS-12 Physical Therapist (Full-Performance Level):
In addition to meeting the basic requirements for appointment, applicants must have at least one (1) year of physical therapist experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in Federal Service; hold a valid unrestricted state license; and demonstrate all of the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below. Examples of qualifying experience include, but are not limited to, providing assessment and treatment intervention; planning and modifying treatment based on a patient's response to intervention and/or change in medical condition; providing oversight and delegating patient care responsibilities to a physical therapy assistant; and delegating non-patient care duties to non-licensed staff. 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. References:
VA Handbook, 5005, Part II, Appendix G12, Physical Therapist Qualification Standard. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11 to GS-12. Physical Requirements:
Heavy lifting 50 pounds and over; use of fingers; both hands required; reaching above shoulder; walking (8 hours); standing (8 hours); both legs required (1 prosthetic); far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in other; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing (aid permitted); mental and emotional stability.
- Department:
0633 Physical Therapist - Salary Range:
$64,009 to $99,741 per year
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
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