Physical Therapist

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. 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: 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.

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. 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. 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.

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).

02Grade Determinations

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: 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.

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). 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.

03Physical Requirements

This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. The work requires occasional periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing.

Major duties include but are not limited to: Measures, restores and preserves joint range of motion through mobilization techniques and exercises. Evaluates muscle length and performs stretching exercises and soft tissue mobilization to enhance muscle elasticity. Interprets clinician's prescriptions and referrals. Performs muscle strength and quantification. Evaluations muscle hypotonicity or hypertonicity and provides exercises to normalize motor control.

Evaluates and trains sitting balance and standing balance and standing balance, transfers and mobility, including wheelchair use and ambulation. Evaluates gait for lower extremity orthotics/prosthetics to facilitate gait independence and function. Evaluates level of independence during position changes and provides mobility training to enhance function. Offers exercises to increase strength, endurance, and coordination for specific muscle groups of the entire body.

Assesses skin integrity and sensation and provides precautionary instructions for skin care. Manages edema and musculoskeletal pain by physical measures. Assesses total body posture and provides education and exercise to improve alignment. Assesses the patient's wheelchair needs and assists with individual wheelchair prescriptions. Provides routine care in several areas to include diabetic foot care, wound management, pain management, falls prevention, orthopedics, etc.

Assists in training and supervision of professional and technical level students providing lectures and demonstrations related to area of expertise. Ensures proper supply inventory levels are maintained for patient treatment. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 62190F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized