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. 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. Education and experience. 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. 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 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. The Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT) is a non-profit organization created to assist the United States (U.S.) Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly INS) and U.S. state licensing authorities by evaluating the credentials of Foreign Educated Physical Therapists (FEPTs) who wish to immigrate and work in the U.S. 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. The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) is committed to protect the public and to provide leadership within the field and practice of physical therapy. FSBPT's Foreign Educated Standards Committee has developed standards that represent "best practices" in evaluation services. The Credentials Evaluation Standards were developed with input from the physical therapy credentialing agencies that are licensed to use FSBPT's Coursework Tool. 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. 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 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. Grade Determinations: 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, (PTs at this level are responsible for providing assessment and treatment intervention. PTs plan and modify treatment based on a patient's response to intervention and/or change in medical condition. PTs at this level may be given 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. Licensed PTs may provide oversight and delegate patient care responsibilities to a Physical Therapist Assistant, and/or delegate non-patient care duties to non-licensed staff. PTs that are not licensed must practice under the close supervision of a licensed PT) Experience is only creditable if it was post degree experience as a professional PT AND hold a valid unrestricted state license AND 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: Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as PT; Master's degree in Physical Therapy and two (2)years of progressively independent experience as PT: Doctorate in PT.; Clinical experience with patients in Neurology, Spinal Cord Injury, Geriatrics and/or Rehabilitation. Qualifications that are described in VA. Handbook 5005/99. References: APPENDIX G12. PHYSICAL THERAPIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD GS-0633 VA HANDBOOK 5005/99 PART II The full performance level of this vacancy is 12. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking - 8 hrs; standing 8 hrs; kneeling 1 hrs; repeated bending 4 hrs; both legs required; near vision n correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; DVA correctable to 20/40; both eyes required; ability to distinguish basic colors; Hearing (aid may be permitted); mental/emotional stability; cognitive stability; ability to perform privileges; independently able to perform physical exams as appropriate. ["This is an open continuous announcement for physical therapist position(s) within - Spinal Cord Injury/Disorders (SCI/D) Service care line. . Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available. The cut-off date is 3/23/2023, After the initial cut-off period, additional applications will be reviewed/referred as needed in date order. Note: Submitting multiple applications will change the order in which your application is reviewed. We will refer qualified applicants to the selecting official for consideration. The organization's hiring needs will determine the referral of additional applicants. Applicants will be notified about their application's status if referred. The Physical Therapist has responsibility for planning and directing patient-specific physical therapy programs for patients within - Spinal Cord Injury/Disorders (SCI/D) Service care line of the South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS). A staff physical therapist evaluates patients and plans, establishes and provides a full range of comprehensive treatment procedures designed to improve or restore function through the use of physical modalities, therapeutic exercise, prostheses or assistive devices. CLINICAL 1. Assigns, manages and evaluates work of subordinate staff. 2. Upon referral from a physician, evaluates patients in complex cases to determine functional status, identifies and needs for individualized therapy treatment. 3. Independently plans and develops comprehensive programs to meet patients' needs within specialty program 4. Reviews physical therapy documentation of initial findings, treatment goals estimated length of treatment, recommendations, interim progress and discharge summary in patients' medical records. 5. Communicates effectively with physical therapy and medical center staff. 6. Works effectively with health care providers in coordinating the patients' total care. 7. Participates in conferences and assigned medical meetings. 8. Understands rationale for all clinic procedures and has good operating knowledge of all equipment in the Spinal Cord Injury/Disorders Center Physical Therapy Clinic. ADMINISTRATIVE as directed by SCI/D Service Chief and/or delegate 1. Assigns and evaluates work of subordinate staff. 2. Maintains attendance records and submits monthly reports and statistics. 3. Maintains procedures consistent with STVHCS policies. Assists in the development of standards of care to compliance with professional accrediting organizations. 4. Maintains all data for quality assurance monitoring and evaluates data at specific intervals. 5. Maintains adequate level of supplies. 6. Maintains equipment in safe and operable condition through inspection and submission of work orders Work Schedule: 0730-1600; Monday - Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact VISN17EDRP2@VA.GOV , the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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