Physical Therapist (EDRP Approved)

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.

Major duties include, but are not limited to:

Clinical Practice-Patient Evaluations

• Functions within the scope of physical therapy practice to perform physical therapy services, including evaluations, objective tests and measures, and providing treatment.
• Ensures patient scheduling requests are submitted in a manner as to not negatively impact other clinical staff yet meet the patient's needs.
• Reviews patient medical records to assess the appropriateness of physical therapy intervention, noting any potential risks or contraindications to treatment.
• Performs evaluations and assessments of medical/surgical conditions in the Outpatient, Acute Care, and CLC populations, including specialized objective tests and evaluations.
• Documents evaluations to include medical history, results, and interpretation of appropriate functional tests and measurements. Identifies when tests may need to be adapted because of complex disabilities to determine the level of function when using standardized and non-standardized tests.
• Performs thorough PT evaluations that address rehabilitation potential, behavior, motor skills, and psychosocial development at an age-appropriate level.
• Identifies patient's barriers to learning and develops strategies to overcome them to ensure accurate patient evaluation.
• Reviews and analyses the effectiveness of treatments and develop new treatment programs which apply current research and evidence-based practice.
• Demonstrates a full professional understanding of the theories or treatment of physical therapy and their proper application through the use of therapeutic physical rehabilitation and reconditioning procedures.
• Modifies treatment plan according to patient response to best meet established goals. Documents treatment progression and/or modifications according to Departmental and Medical Center standards.
• Recognizes adverse reactions to treatment and initiates effective action immediately.
• Ensures appropriate patient referrals and discharge planning in concert with the Physical Therapy and Medical Center staff.
• Adjusts and/or adapts durable medical equipment or assistive aids to meet the needs of the patient.
• Ensures the safety of patients, staff, and visitors by routinely monitoring. equipment and clinics for potential safety hazards.
• Participates and contributes to the advancement of knowledge and techniques related to Physical Therapy and other related topics.
• Investigates current concepts and scientific principles in Physical Therapy practice through literature reviews, the study of current research, clinical practice, assisting in research trials, and through attendance at continuing education courses and conferences.
• Orients, trains, and serves as a mentor to volunteers, aides, students, visitors, and incentive therapy workers who supplement and enhance patient treatment.
• Covers for absent staff members to ensure continuity of care.

Administrative

• Submits patient scheduling requests in a manner as to not negatively impact other clinical staff yet meet the patient's needs.
• Maintains the flexibility of his/her appointment schedule as it may be required to allow time for unscheduled patients visits, and/or family/caregiver training, as needed.
• Responsible for reporting any unusual difficulties involving the treatment of patients directly to the Supervisor, Acting Supervisor, or Service Chief of PM&RS, and the referring provider as needed.
• Establishes and maintains appropriate Quality Assurance monitors relating to patient care and clinic operations.
• Documents patient performance, patient response, and functional achievement toward treatment goals for each therapy intervention and visit.
• Assures a high level of productivity and quality care while providing cost-effective treatments.
• Identifies, collects, and analyzes appropriate patient care information and documentation via peer reviews as assigned by the supervisor.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday; 8:00am - 4:30pm
Telework: Not Authorized.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 52728-F/52729-F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VHAEDRPProgramSupport@va.gov
, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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: Prior to 1995 the terminal degree for PT's was either a bachelors or master's degree. In 1995 CAPTE accredited all baccalaureate, master's, and Doctor of Physical Therapy terminal degree programs. Effective 2002, CAPTE changed its scope of accrediting activities of PT education programs to include only those programs that culminate in post- baccalaureate degrees(eliminating the baccalaureate degree). Effective 2015, professional physical therapy education programs have only offered the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree to all new students.
    • Foreign Graduates. Graduates of foreign physical therapy programs meet the requirements in subparagraph 3b if they have a full unrestricted and current license to practice physical therapy in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. The Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT) is a non-profit organization created to assist the United States (U.S.) Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly INS) and U.S. state licensing authorities by evaluating the credentials of Foreign Educated Physical Therapists (FEPTs) who wish to immigrate and work in the U.S. Although the licensing of physical therapists in the U.S. is a right and responsibility of each jurisdiction, foreign educated individuals must undergo an educational credentials assessment for substantial equivalency to the first professional degree in the US. The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) is committed to protect the public and to provide leadership within the field and practice of physical therapy. FSBPT's Foreign Educated Standards Committee has developed standards that represent "best practices" in evaluation services. The Credentials Evaluation Standards were developed with input from the physical therapy credentialing agencies that are licensed to use FSBPT's Coursework Tool.
  • 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.

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-11 Physical Therapist (Entry):

Education, Experience, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-12 Physical Therapist (Full Performance Level):

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:

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.

Preferred Experience:

• 1 year of physical therapy experience in a skilled nursing facility/community living center setting, outpatient and acute care settings.
• Actively participates in continuing educational opportunities.
• Has experience as a clinical instructor for physical therapist and physical therapist assistant students.
• Has experience working with other healthcare professionals and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Has experience working with diverse populations and various diagnosis and the age range of 19-99+.

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-11 to GS-12.

Physical Requirements: Standing, walking, squatting, kneeling, climbing, repeated bending, twisting, sitting, and changing from one position to another intermittently, up to 6 hours a day. Both hands required, use of fingers, both legs are required. The ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously. Reaching above shoulders, heavy lifting (Intermittent; 45 pounds and over), heavy carrying (Intermittent; 45 pounds and over), straight pushing and pulling (Intermittent; up to 5 hours). Mental and emotional stability is required. Near vision correctable at 13" to 16". Hearing (aid permitted).

Functional Requirements:
Individuals, including wage-grade drivers, title 5, title 38, and hybrid title 38 employees or volunteers who are required to operate a government owned or leased vehicle to successfully carry out their assigned duties must be medically cleared prior to appointment.

Assessment must be made for any acute or chronic medical/physical condition or medication use which interferes with the ability operate the appropriate Government-owned or -leased vehicle safely and without undue risk to themselves or others. The following requirements must be met:

• distant vision 20/40 in one eye with or without correction,
• field of vision 70 degrees,
• ability to distinguish red, green and amber,
• whispered voice at five feet, or average hearing loss of not greater than 40 dbs. at 500, 1000 and 2,000 H

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.

If your school was accredited by Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.

If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

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/.

• 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 identification 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.