Physical Therapist

Summary

The Physical Therapist at this level is a direct access independent practice professional who is responsible for evaluating patients and establishing and executing interventional treatment plans that include a full range of treatment procedures and modalities.

Learn more about this agency

Help

Overview

• Accepting applications

• Open & closing dates

05/21/2024 to 09/30/2024

• Salary

$86,950 - $135,478 per year

• Pay scale & grade

GS 11 - 12

• Help

Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

• Hot Springs, AR

• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

Yes-as determined by the agency policy.

• Travel Required

50% or less

• You may be expected to travel for this position.

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Permanent

• Work schedule

Full-time

• Service

Excepted

• Promotion potential

12

• Job family (Series)

0633 Physical Therapist

• Supervisory status

No

• Security clearance

Not Required

• Drug test

Yes

• Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

• Trust determination process

Credentialing

Suitability/Fitness

• Announcement number

CBST-12413238-24-SA

• Control number

792312800

Help

This job is open to

• The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

US Citizens

Videos

Help

Duties

Current, permanent VA employees or Federal employees from another agency should apply under CBST-12414924-24-SA

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until 09/30/2024. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be 6/1/2024. with subsequent cut-off dates on the 1st of each month. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.

VA Careers

• Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY

The duties of the Physical Therapist in Home Health Care Service include, but not limited to:

Physical Therapists at this level can make autonomous clinical decisions in a Direct Access environment. This includes abilities to independently evaluate and treat patients who seek physical therapy services and responsibility for providing assessment and treatment intervention. Physical Therapists plan and modify treatment based on a patient's response to intervention and/or change in medical condition.

A. CLINICAL

1.Evaluates patients using standard and non-standard techniques to identify specific Physical Therapy treatment problems.

2.Develops and implements therapeutic rehabilitation programs within the framework of HBPC, in the GEC/R service line. Considers the populations served by the medical center and independently performs tests and measurements of the patient's condition and interprets results of tests and measurements of the patient's condition for use in establishing a diagnosis within the scope of physical therapy, developing the treatment plan, modifying the treatment plan, and evaluating results of treatment.

3.Assesses the goals, living skills, physical abilities, and related needs for each patient referred for in- home assessment and assessment at the facility. Establish short term and long term clinically appropriate patient treatment goals and implement treatment program to meet these goals.

4.Completes safety assessments after falls to include recommendations relevant to the veteran's home environment, health/ disease status, and available resources.

5.Performs a yearly home assessment with each enrolled veteran per HBPC directive.

6.Actively participates in interdisciplinary meetings for patient planning, coordination of care, or discharge planning.

7.Frequently assesses treatment plan directed toward achieving maximum level of functioning within the home, consulting with other clinicians as indicated, and modifying the plan as indicated. Incumbent terminates treatment objectives when met and/or the patient has achieved maximum benefit or has moved to a higher level of need not amenable to HBPC criteria and purpose.

8.Provides direct patient care, orders equipment, provides education to patient and caregiver on equipment and exercises, and refers patient to other disciplines as needed.

9.Completes HISA grant and/or other home modification paperwork when requested efficiently and in a timely manner.

10. Evaluates the need for additional services and use professional judgment to initiate consultation with other professionals to provide such service. Collaborates with the patient, caregiver, and other involved HBPC disciplines as needed.

11. Provides patient care/support that is appropriate to the cognitive, physical and emotional needs of the patient group served. Interacts with people at all age levels ranging from adolescent through geriatric and must be aware of and respond appropriately to the physical, social, and psychological differences among these groups.

12. Evaluates the home for positional changes to promote the patient's safety and independence.

B. EDUCATION

1.Attends and participates in seminars, workshops, in-service training meetings, departmental meetings, and lectures to increase and maintain personal knowledge and job-related skills. Attends mandatory in-services as required by VA, GEC, and PT Scope and policy.

2.Is a resource person and provides training for other health care professionals, or student affiliates in the department.

3.Provides clinical oversight of Physical Therapy students.

4.Serves on committees at the facility, in the community, or in professional associations.

5.Instructs professional medical residents and health care students as requested.

C. ADMINISTRATIVE

1.Physical Therapist will provide appropriate documentation of all patient encounters within documentation guidelines.

2.Physical Therapist will make timely visits in accordance with station policy, the national directive and PT professional standards.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm

Telework: Available (Ad-hoc)

Virtual: Not available

Functional Statement #: 598-00094-F and 598-000093-F

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Help

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.

• Must be able to independently operate Government Vehicle.

• Must provide clean driving record report from the DMV during the pre-employment process.

Qualifications

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: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

• Education: 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.

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

(3) 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.

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 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. 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.

Grade Determinations:

Physical Therapist, GS-0633-11

Education, Experience, and Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements.

Physical Therapist, GS-0633-12

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:

Demonstrated 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.

Preferred Experience: Home Health Care Service is seeking the best qualified physical therapist with preferred experience in the outpatient setting with the following responsibilities:

• 2 years of PT experience with an adult/geriatric population

• Experience with patient/family and professional health education

• Experience with interdisciplinary health care teams

• Home health experience

• Advanced computer skills

References: VA Handbook 5005/99 Part II Appendix G12, Physical Therapist, GS-0633, Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.

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: Heavy lifting (45 pounds and over), moderate carrying (15-44 pounds), straight pulling, pushing, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking, standing, crawling, kneeling, repeated bending, climbing, 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, Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/50and to 20/100 in the other, ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing (aid permitted), mental and emotional stability, far vision correctable in one to 20/50 and to 20/100 in the other. Operation of motor vehicle. (See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services).

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Read more

• Benefits

Help

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 window

Learn 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.