This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Learn more 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. 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: Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d). 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. 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 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. Loss of Credential. A PT who fails to maintain the required license must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment. At the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may be reassigned to another occupation, if qualified, and if a placement opportunity exists. 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. Grade Determinations: GS-11 Physical Therapist (Entry Level) (Note: see exception to licensure requirement above) GS-12 Physical Therapist (Full Performance Level) In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess one year of specialized 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: 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/99, Part II, Appendix G12. Preferred experience: Physical Therapy ICU experience/Residence/Board certification, VA Training 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. ["This assignment carries responsibility for providing physical therapy evaluation and treatment to Veteran patients according to the North Florida/South Georgia VHS mission and the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation guidelines. The therapist will provide coverage of the services provided by Physical Therapy in the Acute Care and ICU Settings as needed, therapist independently develops and implements individualized physical therapy treatment programs for all patients referred for consultation. The therapist works effectively with patients, families, care partners and treatment team members. The incumbent is also responsible for coordination and supervision of treatment plans with the staff Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA). The therapist will coordinate and supervise students and volunteers that rotate through the PT section. This includes but is not limited to: full and part time undergraduate students and Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) students from local Universities and Colleges. This assignment carries responsibility for providing physical therapy evaluation and treatment to Veteran patients according to the North Florida/South Georgia VHS mission and the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation guidelines. The therapist will provide coverage of the services provided by Physical Therapy in the Acute Care and ICU Settings as needed. The therapist independently develops and implements individualized physical therapy treatment programs for all patients referred for consultation. The therapist works effectively with patients, families, care partners and treatment team members. The incumbent is also responsible for coordination and supervision of treatment plans with the staff Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA). The therapist will coordinate and supervise students and volunteers that rotate through the PT section. This includes but is not limited to: full and part time undergraduate students and Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) students from local Universities and Colleges.\nThe incumbent may assist with developing practices and procedures of physical therapy services that are necessary to plan and direct the wide range of activities relating to the overall operation of a physical therapy program in a Complex (1a), large, highly affiliated VA medical Center. The incumbent may assist with developing practices and procedures of physical therapy services that are necessary to plan and direct the wide range of activities relating to the overall operation of a physical therapy program in a Complex (1a), large, highly affiliated VA medical Center. Tour Of Duties: Hours will be discussed during interview process with the Manager"]