Physical Therapist

Overview

The incumbent is assigned to the Physical Therapy section in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) Department within the Northern Arizona VA Healthcare System (NAVAHCS) - located in Prescott, AZ. The Physical Therapist provides treatment interventions incorporating the four-step process of assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of patient treatment services.

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
• Education:
  
  Applicants must meet one of the following requirements below possessing a degree from an approved program by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredited college or university
• 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
• [Transcripts must be submitted at time of application;
  Conferral of degree(s) must be stated on transcript(s);
  Unofficial transcripts are acceptable]
• Foreign Graduates:
  Graduates of foreign physical therapy programs meet the requirements in subparagraphs above 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 - 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
• Grandfathering Provision:
  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
  
  Experience:
  
  None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-12
  
  Experience:
  
  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 KSAs as described below

• PTs at this level are responsible for providing assessment and treatment interventions
• 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 nonpatient care duties to non-licensed staff
• PTs that are not licensed must practice under the close supervision of a licensed PT
• Guided by differential and movement diagnoses, PTs perform 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
• PTs interpret findings from examination and diagnostic studies and, during evaluation, select appropriate clinical tests and measures and integrate findings into the physical therapy plan of care for the full range of patient populations
• PTs establish a diagnosis within the scope of physical therapy and identify the appropriate…