Physical Therapist (Women's Health)

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:

Citizenship. Citizen of the United States.

Experience and Education.

• 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. Verification of accredited programs may be obtained from the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) at www.apta.org.

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. See Chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part.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). All licensed PTs employed in VHA on the effective date February 7, 2019 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.

GRADE DETERMINATIONS:
GS-12
Experience: In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level AND demonstrate all the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below:

1. Ability to make autonomous clinical decisions in a Direct Access environment.
2. Skill in performing examinations/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/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.
5. Ability to determine physical therapy prognosis by incorporating examination findings with the patients' 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 (PTA) as well as student on clinical affiliations who are in Doctoral PT Programs or PTA Programs.

References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/99 PART II APPENDIX G12

The full performance level of this vacancy is 12.

Physical Requirements: The incumbent must demonstrate the ability to walk distances within the facility on a daily basis, and tolerate standing, repeated bending, reaching overhead, and pushing Veterans and objects for up to four hours a regular shift, prolonged sitting, and physically assist patients with moderate lifting and carrying of up to 15-44 pounds. Safe handling and lifting techniques are to be used based on current policy of the facility in relation the Safe Patient Handling and Movement Program.