Physical Therapist

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.

01Basic Requirements

United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency: Individuals appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 74, 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.

02Education

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. OR, 2. Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. OR, 3. Doctorate degree in physical therapy. 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.

03Licensure

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. 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.

EXCEPTION: 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.

Grandfathering Provision: 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).

04Grade Determinations

GS-11 Physical Therapist (Entry): Education, Experience, and Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements. (NOTE: See exception to licensure requirement above.) Assignment: Physical Therapists (PTs) at this level are responsible for providing assessment and treatment intervention. PTs plan and modify treatment based on a patient's response to intervention and/or change in medical condition.

PTs at this level may be given general assignments in any physical therapy program area where advanced specialized knowledge is not required or may serve as the sole PT such as in an outpatient clinic. Licensed PTs may provide oversight and delegate patient care responsibilities to a Physical Therapist Assistant, and/or delegate non-patient care duties to non-licensed staff.

PTs that are not licensed must practice under the close supervision of a licensed PT 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: Demonstrate 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.

Assignment: PTs are responsible for independently providing assessment and treatment interventions to inpatients and outpatients received through healthcare provider referrals and patient self-referrals.

Guided by differential and movement diagnoses, PTs 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.

PTs 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. PTs 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.

They 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. Physical therapists select appropriate equipment needed to substitute for loss of function or to substitute for limited function of individuals they treat.

05Preferred Experience

Experience in vestibular therapy is preferred and/or dry needling. 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.

06Physical 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. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

MAJOR DUTIES: Responsible for independently providing assessment and treatment interventions to inpatients and outpatients received through healthcare provider referrals and patient self-referrals. Examination and evaluation includes a medical history, systems review, special tests and measures including neuromuscular, sensorimotor, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and/or respiratory functions as indicated. Plans and implements initial and subsequent treatment programs based on their evaluation and examination.

Examples of treatment given by this staff physical therapist include: therapeutic exercises; functional training for home, community, and work; manual therapy techniques, electrotherapeutic modalities; physical agents and mechanical modalities; wound management and respiratory care. Plans and implements appropriate patient education programs involving the patient, family and significant others in the instructional process.

• Evaluates patient's needs for assistive devices, and adaptive appliances, recommends adjustments for prosthetic/orthotic devices and makes minor adjustments to obtain maximal functional benefits.
• Uses outcome measures to document patient's progress towards established goals, modify interventions and plan of care, and for discharge planning.
• Completes all patient care documentation in accordance with rehabilitation policy.

Communicates readily with the multidisciplinary treatment team, advising the team of patient's needs and progress; this communication occurs through team meetings, written reports and verbal communication, such as personal and telephone conversations. Assists the clinical education coordinator in arranging and providing educational experiences for physical therapy students that affiliate at the facility.

May be assigned the responsibility of attending and participating in various specialty clinics within the medical center. Plans and presents in-service education programs on occasion as requested by the unit Education Coordinator or Program Manager. Assists in providing patient coverage for absent staff members to insure continuity and quality of care. Follows established Program and Division policies and procedures related to fire, disaster, and security measures. Responsible for following scheduling guidelines.

Ensures that workload is properly credited. Follows established procedures and policies in hazardous material handling/communication, equipment safety, infection control/universal fluid precautions, and other safety procedures that have been developed for Physical Therapy. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 10422F, 02472F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized