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.
- 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.
- Education and experience. The individual must meet at least one of the requirements below-(Transcripts submitted):
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
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.
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
(1) 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.
(2) 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.
(3) 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. (4) 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
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-14 Physical Therapist (VISN/National/Regional Program Coordinator)
Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs:
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
1. Knowledge of and skill in management/administration, consultation, negotiation and compliance.
2. Advanced knowledge in the specialty program with application to interdisciplinary team function, goals and outcomes across multiple areas of practice.
3. Ability to serve as a consultant and liaison to local, regional or national coordinators and/or national program offices as well as other providers regarding the delivery of rehabilitation care within the specialty program area.
4. Demonstrates ability to serve as facilitator and/or negotiator in coordinating program initiatives among local, regional or national coordinators and interdisciplinary teams to improve quality of care for patients. Ability to evaluate, monitor and report on the status and progress of the specialty programs within the region.
5. Ability to develop and coordinate treatment programs within the specialty field nationally or within the region.
Assignment. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. PTs at this level manage all aspects of a distinct rehabilitation program or service at the VISN, national and/or region level and are generally found at regional centers or assigned to the national program office in VA Central Office. This position would include but not be specifically limited to programs such as amputee, spinal cord injury, chronic pain, Prevention of Amputation for Veterans Everywhere (PAVE), Polytrauma/TBI. This includes policy development, quality resources and specialty functions unique to the program to optimize program and patient outcomes. The program coordinator is knowledgeable about facility, regional and national policies to ensure compliance. This assignment requires administrative direction and decision making skills, but does not necessarily require formal supervisory responsibility for personnel. Physical Therapists in this role are responsible for strategic planning to ensure the provision of high quality services meet the needs of the Veterans being served. They are also responsible for developing and implementing short and long term goals and objectives consistent with the program's strategic plan. Responsibilities include operation and management of key clinical, training, research, or administrative programs. He/she develops and implements programs, policies, and procedures to meet program goals, policy and external accreditation requirements at the VISN, national and/or regional level. He/she monitors outcomes and implements strategies for program improvement
Preferred Experience: Three ( 3) or more years of clinical experience in managing veterans and active duty service members with amputation and polytrauma injuries.
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-14.
Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.