Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to current, permanent employees of the Department of Veteran Affairs, current permanent Federal employees of other agencies, past, current and upcoming participants of the VA Health Professions Training (HPT) Graduates and the Public. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Duties include but not limited to:

Performs Patient Evaluations:

• Veterans are scheduled for evaluation considering caseload complexity and acuity of medical condition. Coordinates veteran schedule with other interdisciplinary team members.
• Guided by differential (screen for systemic diseases and medical conditions that can mimic neuromuscular and musculoskeletal problems) and movement (examine and evaluate the movement system -including diagnosis and prognosis- to provide a customized and integrated plan of care to achieve the individual's goal-directed outcomes) diagnoses.
• 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.
• Review of medical records to interpret findings from examination, diagnostic studies and/or medical tests. During evaluation select appropriate clinical tests and measures; then integrate findings into the physical therapy plan of care for the full range of patient populations, using relevant evidence-based data and norms.
• 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.
• Staff PTs at this level practice autonomously, making recommendations and referrals to other medical specialties/services as clinically indicated during ongoing assessment of patients under their care.
• The staff PT may also develop and provide individualized clinical training experiences for physical therapy students in facilities with established clinical experience rotations.
• Incumbent has skills to perform and interpret specialized evaluative procedures and tests in the assigned clinical area (examples include but are not limited to: 2-Minute Walk Test, TUG, STS, Gait Speed, Berg, Tinneti, etc.). Complex evaluations may be conducted in consultation with senior or clinical specialist therapists, if necessary.

Treatment Implementation:

• Evaluation findings are used to develop and implement comprehensive patient treatment plans including objective, measurable goals, timeliness for completion. These goals are developed in collaboration with the patient, family and/or stakeholder input.
• Modifies treatment plan according to patient response to treatment and towards meeting established goals. Documents treatment progression and/or modifications accordingly.
• Demonstrates a full professional understanding of selective therapeutic techniques and modalities related to disability being treated. May serve as a resource to other, less experience therapists.
• Develops Home Programs for patients as indicated at discharge. Instructs significant others in ways to assist patients to carry out home program and in the use of equipment and assistive devices issued.
• Collaborates with nursing and the interdisciplinary rehabilitation team to facilitate the operation of the ward/unit/clinic to meet common goals.

Treatment Implementation:

• Assist to receive and triage patient referrals/consults, patient self-referrals and adheres to consult compliance established guidelines and is knowledgeable of CVT services provided by PM&RS for appropriate veteran continuum of care.
• Participates in Process Improvement activities related to CVT (e.g. Cultural Transformation, Patient Centered Care, etc.), PM&R and VANTHCS.
• Participates in update of evaluation forms and protocols to adequately meet the requirements of the program and types of patients in the assigned clinical program.
• Delegates tasks/procedures to the appropriate support personnel to facilitate effective and efficient patient care.
• Reports all faulty PM&RS CVT equipment to the ADPAC and Supervisor Program Manager.

Education and Research:

• Conducts in-services for interdisciplinary team and other rehabilitation programs.
• Maintains current concepts and trends in Physical Therapy and evidence based medicine/rehabilitation practices through literature reviews, study of current research, clinical practice, and through attendance to continuing education courses, conferences and in-services.

Work Schedule: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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.
• 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 dentification 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.

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: 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. 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).

Grandfathering Provision. All licensed PTs employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:

• Employees grandfathered into the GS-0633 occupational series as PTs may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation.
• PTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of this qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of this standard.
• PTs initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration, meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard and must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.
• If PTs who are grandfathered under this provision leave the occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.

Grade Determinations:

GS-11: None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-12 Grade 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.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience performing comprehensive evaluations and assessment via telehealth platforms
• Experience in clinical video telehealth, traumatic brain injuries, polytrauma, and amputee settings. of musculoskeletal, neurological, orthopedic, cardio-pulmonary, pain management, integumentary etc.
• Experience, skills and knowledge in the application of therapeutic techniques targeting an outpatient population (ortho, vision, neuro, pain management, pre/post-surgical care, upper extremity disorders, cognitive and mental health disorders, etc.).
• Experience interpreting findings from examination, diagnostic studies and/or medical tests; selecting appropriate clinical tests and measures, including relevant evidence-based data and norms.
• 2 years of experience in rehab setting of Outpatient/Inpatients.

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: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; Light lifting, under 15 pounds; Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; Light carrying, 15-44 pounds; Straight pulling (2 hours); Pulling hand over hand (2 hours); Pushing (2 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (6 hours); Standing (6 hours); Crawling (1 hour); Kneeling (2 hours); Repeated bending (6 hours); Climbing, legs only (2 hours); Both legs required; Operation of crane, truck, tractor, or motor vehicle; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Both eyes required; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of color; Hearing (aid permitted); Simple grasping/ Pinch (6 hours); Fine manipulation - Keyboarding (6 hours); Sitting (6 hours); Twisting (6 hours)

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.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume

Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.

Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please 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 (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Other (1)
• PCS Orders
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• 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.

Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

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