Physical Therapist

• 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 ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued identification 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.
• Requires valid unrestricted drivers license. (Will require a Drivers physical exam)

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 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.

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. See Chapter 2 section D paragraph 5a this part.
• Education and Experience: You must meet at least one of the requirements below NOTE: Individuals must be a graduate of a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredited college or university.
  • Bachelors degree in Physical Therapy AND five years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. OR
  • Masters degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist OR
  • Doctorate degree in physical therapy.
• Licensure: Individuals must 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 who have or have had multiple licenses and had any such license revoked for professional misconduct professional incompetency or substandard care or who surrendered such license after receiving written notice of potential termination of such license by the state for professional misconduct professional incompetence or substandard care are not eligible for appointment to the position unless such revoked or surrendered license is fully restored (38 U.S.C 7402(f)). Effective November 30 1999 this is a requirement for employment. This requirement does not apply to licensed physical therapists on VA rolls as of November 30 1999 provided the individual maintains a continuous appointment and is not disqualified for employment by any subsequent revocations or voluntary surrenders of State license registration or certification.
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: None beyond the basis requirements.

GS-12: Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Examples of experience include: Providing assessment and treatment intervention. Planning and modifying treatment based on a patients response to intervention and/or change in medical condition. Experience includes general assignments in any physical therapy program area where advanced specialized knowledge is not required or may serve as the sole PT such as in an outpatient clinic. May provide oversight and delegate patient care responsibilities to a Physical Therapist Assistant and/or delegate nonpatient care duties to non-licensed staff.

In addition to the experience requirement candidates for the GS-12 grade must also be able to demonstrate the following knowledge skill and abilities (KSA):

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 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 as well as students on clinical affiliations who are in Doctoral PT Programs or PTA Programs.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard please visit full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.

Physical Requirements: Standing walking squatting bending and sitting and changing from one position to the other frequently throughout the day. Sitting at a desk and using upper extremities to reach grasp and place papers charts computers phones and reference materials. Many of the patients are bariatric. Incumbent must employ safe lifting techniques including the use of mechanical devices and avoid awkward postures while working with the veterans. Reaching lifting carrying pushing and pulling: 1-10 pounds constantly 10-25 frequently and 20-35 pounds occasionally