Duties
- Provides individualized progressive treatment for patients with complex disabilities.
- Uses standard and non-standard methods for evaluating complex cases to identify problems and baseline levels of function.
- Utilize appropriate screening and evaluation techniques required to appropriately provide direct patient care.
- Make appropriate referrals for further medical attention/assessment as indicated.
- Interpret clinician prescriptions and referrals.
- Develops appropriate treatment plans and goals.
- Performs complex treatment.
- Modify treatment according to the patient's changing medical condition.
- Measures, fits and instructs patients for the use of complex adaptive equipment and assistive devices.
- Communicates both orally and in writing, with patients, families, caregivers, and other health care professions to facilitate the multidisciplinary treatment process.
- Communicates appropriate to the age of patients served in the work area.
- Communicates appropriately to aging patients (potential for diminished hearing, vision, and mental acuity) and is able to compensate for these changes when appropriate to insure that effective communication has occurred.
- Provide physical assistance to aging patients, considering potential difficulties with balance and ambulation and the increased possibility of damage or injury to skin and bones.
- Communicates readily with multidisciplinary treatment team advising the team of patient's needs and progress, exchanging discharge planning information with them.
- Responsible for the care, upkeep and sanitation of equipment used.
- Perform physical examination and formulate a treatment plan to improve a patient's function.
- Performs other tasks as assigned by the Section Chief or Section Chief designee, for CARA Pain Team, that are consistent with the mission of ACS and the Medical Center.
- Attends seminars, workshops, lectures, and In-service meetings, especially in the specialty field.
- Maintains continuing education credits as necessary to maintain licensure/certification.
- Conducts in-service programs for the CARA Pain Section and other disciplines and shares knowledge of new or improved techniques with staff.
- Acts as a clinical supervisor and preceptor for physical therapy and physical therapy assistant students to fulfill their educational and professional requirements.
- Ensures proper supply levels are maintained for patient treatment.
- Maintains and submits in a timely manner statistics and other required reports.
- Understands and adheres to policies and procedures in the section manual.
- Works independently, and is responsible for the physical therapy program and clinics to which he/she is assigned and confers with the Therapy Supervisor at periodic intervals for the purpose of keeping him/her informed of problem cases, workload, and progress reports,
- Completes notes within required time frames per service-specific policies.
- The Registered Physical Therapist provides supervision for a Certified (and grand fathered) Physical Therapy Assistant in a collaborative manner as defined by official APTA documents and in accordance with laws or regulations.
- Establish and maintain a productive workplace that evidence employees' involvement, contribution, and teamwork in an atmosphere of respect and consideration of everyone.
- Demonstrate support of the achievement of affirmative employment goals and improve understanding among employees.
- Supervises the clinical training experiences of technical and professional level occupation level interns to fulfill educational and professional requirements.
- Supervises all interns from affiliated universities.
- Develops a systematic program designed to assist the student in meeting internship goals.
- Reviews, analyses, and evaluates students' performance in all spectrums of internship (reports, academic integrity, lateness, absenteeism, following policies and procedures of facility, etc.).
- Assures effectiveness on professional levels of internship programs.
- Reviews, analyses, and evaluates interns' ability to complete a qualitative internship in a professional manner as an assistant therapist and management of a CARA Pain Section.
- Completes mid-term and final evaluation of student's internship and appropriately grades students by standards set by APTA on completion of internship.
- Meet the needs of all customers while supporting the Medical Center and Service missions.
- Communicates and treats customers (patients, visitors, volunteers, and all Medical Center staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner.
- Provides the customers with consistent information according to established policies and procedures.
Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm
Telework: Ad-hoc
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 00000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- 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.
- You may be required to serve a probationary period.
- Subject to background/security investigation.
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
- 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).
- Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
Qualifications
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:
- 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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA must 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:
- 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 all the KSAs below:
- Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities:
- 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:
- VA experience preferred
- Ambulatory care and acute care experience preferred
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit
https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
Physical Requirements: This works involves standing and walking for about 70-80% of a normal workday. In addition, the physical therapist must be able to squat, kneel, push, and pull, and lift loads from the ground and from above shoulder height. The physical demand level as defined by the Department of Labor is 'Medium' requiring the occasional lifting of 20-50 lbs., the frequent lifting of 10-25 lbs., and the constant lifting of 10 lbs. during the normal workday. Physical therapy requires manual dexterity and coordination to use modalities such as ultrasound and TENS units, and to demonstrate the use of mobility equipment such as walkers and wheelchairs. In addition, physical therapists must be able to modify such equipment using tools.
Education
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
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/.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this
checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.
- Cover Letter
- DD-214/ Statement of Service
- Disability Letter (VA)
- License
- Professional Certification
- Resume
- SF-15
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
- Transcript
Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit
Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 01/22/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12668950.
- To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
- Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account,
https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.