Physical Therapist

Summary Provides outpatient Physical Therapy services at the Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC), mainly through referrals from the CBOC Patient Aligned Care Teams (PACT), Rehabilitation and Extended Care Line providers, Operative Care Line and other approved providers. Independently offers Physical Therapy services to patients as needed or assigned, ensuring thorough, timely and high-quality care for our Veterans. Learn more about this agency Duties Major duties for the position include (but are not limited to): Demonstrates knowledge of evidence-based Physical Therapy practice for patients who seek physical therapy services. Skilled in performing examination and evaluation of individual 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. Independently interprets findings from examination and evaluations and utilizes appropriate test and measures, and integrates findings into the physical therapy plan of care required to fittingly provide direct physical therapy services to patients with a variety of diagnoses for a full range of patient populations. Demonstrates knowledge and ability to establish a diagnosis within the scope of physical therapy practice and identify the appropriate rehabilitation intervention, including referral to another provider for further consultation as clinically indicated. Independently develops a physical therapy prognosis and incorporates examination findings to implement an appropriate patient centered physical therapy rehabilitation plan of care for a variety of diagnoses while using appropriate judgment to modify treatment for changing medical conditions. Must demonstrate knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform more complex patient treatment procedures. Communicates effectively, both orally and in writing, with patients, families, caregivers, and healthcare professionals to facilitate the multidisciplinary treatment process. Independently provides clinical oversight of Physical Therapy Assistants as well as students on clinical affiliations who are in Doctoral Physical Therapy or Physical Therapy Assistant Programs. Treatment is typically delivered on a one-to-one basis, though sometimes small or larger group settings will be utilized. Co-treatments with other therapy staff may also be completed as needed to meet the patient's needs. Patients range in age from young adult to geriatric. This position is located in the CBOC at the Houston Health Care System (HCS), a complexity level 1a facility. Is clinically and administratively responsible to the Supervisory Rehabilitation Therapist, the Rehabilitation Director, and the Rehabilitation and Extended Care Line Executive. Primarily works in collaboration with Rehab providers and the staff from CBOC Care Line to ensure effective, efficient, and patient-centered Physical Therapy services are provided for patients referred at the CBOC. As needed, works in conjunction with other Care Lines to ensure effective Physical Therapy services are provided to referred patients. Work requires typical physical requirements of working within the CBOC outpatient clinic, office, and gymnasium in the performance of job responsibilities. Physical exertion such as prolonged standing, crouching, bending, standing, stooping, stretching, walking or climbing/descending stairs, reaching, pulling, pushing, or reaching over shoulders. Employees frequently carry light items such as books, office supplies, instruments, occupational therapy supplies and other similar materials. Work also includes frequent lifting of moderately heavy items weighing less than 23 kilograms (i.e., under 50 pounds) with occasional heavy lifting of up to 50 lbs. May involve occasional exposure to conditions in facilities or hospital settings requiring safety precautions. Personal Protective Equipment may need to be worn in the course of your work day. Following referral/consult from a physician or other approved provider, reviews the medical record and independently evaluates each patient to determine functional deficits and the best method to accomplish rehabilitation goals. Implements, in a timely manner, progressive treatment plans to meet goals, taking into consideration particularly the rehabilitation problems of each patient. Participates in team conferences, rounds, discharge planning meetings, specialty clinics, and other assigned medical meetings. Observes infection control procedures, safety and treatment precautions pertinent to the patient's condition or disease process, and the specific treatment technique or procedure being utilized. Manages time to allow for unforeseen incidents or interruptions in planned program. Is flexible in treatment program; easily adapts to share in over- all section treatment program, as needed. Assists in coverage for absent staff members, to insure continuity of quality patient care. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm, subject to change based on the needs of the facility. Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 02141F; 02142F 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. 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. 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. 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. 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). Grade Determinations: GS-11 Physical Therapist (Entry) (a) Education, Experience, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-12 Physical Therapist (Full Performance Level) (a) 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: (b) 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: The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in an outpatient setting and possess extensive knowledge in managing a variety of caseloads , including neurologic, orthopedic, and geriatric populations. The successful applicant will be comfortable conducting more than four evaluations per day and demonstrate exceptional patient care and clinical skills. Advanced certification in relevant specialties is a plus, but not required. 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: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment. Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations. 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/. Additional information Receiving Service Credit for 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. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. 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. 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. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. Expand Hide  additional information Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. 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.