Physical Therapist (EDRP Approved)

Veterans Health Administration • Temple, TX

6d • Onsite

About The Position

This full-time VA Physical Therapist position provides physical therapy services to patients in outpatient, acute care, and Community Living Center (CLC) settings. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to program eligibility and approval. The award may be up to $200,000, with an eligibility period of one to five years; former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply. The position is at the GS-11 to GS-12 level, with GS-12 as the full performance level.

The Physical Therapist evaluates patients, selects and interprets tests and measures, develops and modifies treatment plans, documents progress, and coordinates referrals and discharge planning. The role also includes clinical and administrative duties, safety monitoring, quality assurance, contributing to professional knowledge, and orienting or mentoring students, aides, volunteers, and other personnel.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework and virtual work are not authorized. Relocation and recruitment incentives, as well as permanent change of station, are not authorized. The role requires a CAPTE-accredited physical therapy education and a full, current, unrestricted U.S. physical therapy license, subject to the stated temporary appointment exception for otherwise-qualified non-licensed physical therapists.

Requirements

• Meet at least one basic education and experience pathway: a bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy plus five years of progressively independent experience; a master's degree in Physical Therapy plus two years of progressively independent experience; or a doctorate degree in physical therapy.
• Graduate from a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)-accredited college or university.
• Hold a full, current, unrestricted license to practice physical therapy in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia. A qualifying non-licensed physical therapist may receive a temporary graduate PT appointment at GS-11 under the stated conditions, including supervision and obtaining licensure within two years.
• For GS-12 consideration, have one year of experience equivalent to GS-11, hold a valid unrestricted state license, and demonstrate the listed knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• For GS-12, be able to make autonomous clinical decisions in a Direct Access environment and independently evaluate and treat patients seeking physical therapy services.
• For GS-12, be skilled in examining and evaluating impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions involving musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and/or integumentary systems, considering psychosocial and environmental factors.
• For GS-12, interpret examination and evaluation findings, select appropriate tests and measures, and integrate findings into plans of care across patient populations.
• For GS-12, establish a diagnosis within the scope of physical therapy, select rehabilitation interventions, and refer patients to other providers when clinically indicated.
• For GS-12, determine prognosis and set clinically appropriate treatment goals in light of examination findings and patient preferences.
• For GS-12, independently provide clinical oversight of Physical Therapy Assistants and students in doctoral PT or PTA clinical programs.
• Meet the U.S. citizenship requirement, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Be proficient in written and spoken English and meet applicable background, security, onboarding, identification, and pre-employment physical examination requirements.
• Submit an EDRP application within four months of appointment to be considered for the program; meet VHA policy eligibility requirements. Former EDRP participants may not apply.
• Meet the stated physical requirements, including intermittent standing, walking, squatting, kneeling, climbing, bending, twisting, sitting, position changes, use of both hands and legs, reaching above shoulders, and intermittent heavy lifting and carrying of 45 pounds or more and pushing or pulling.
• If required to operate a government-owned or leased vehicle, meet the stated medical clearance and vision, visual-field, color-vision, and hearing requirements.
• Comply with the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program and applicable drug screening requirements for testing-designated positions.

Nice To Haves

• One year of physical therapy experience in a skilled nursing facility or community living center, outpatient, and acute care settings.
• Actively participates in continuing education opportunities.
• Experience as a clinical instructor for physical therapist and physical therapist assistant students.
• Experience collaborating with other healthcare professionals and interdisciplinary teams.
• Experience working with diverse populations, varied diagnoses, and patients ranging in age from 19 to 99 or older.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate patients and provide physical therapy services, including objective testing, measurements, and treatment.
• Review patient medical records to determine whether physical therapy intervention is appropriate and identify potential risks or contraindications.
• Evaluate medical and surgical conditions in outpatient, acute care, and CLC populations, adapting tests when complex disabilities make standardized measures unsuitable.
• Document medical history, test results, interpretations, treatment progression, modifications, patient response, and functional achievement toward goals.
• Assess rehabilitation potential, behavior, motor skills, psychosocial development, and barriers to learning; develop strategies to support accurate evaluation.
• Review treatment effectiveness and develop evidence-based treatment programs using current research and clinical practice.
• Modify treatment plans in response to patients’ progress and needs, and respond promptly to adverse reactions.
• Coordinate appropriate referrals and discharge planning with Physical Therapy and Medical Center staff and referring providers.
• Adjust or adapt durable medical equipment and assistive aids to patient needs.
• Monitor equipment and clinics for safety hazards and help ensure the safety of patients, staff, and visitors.
• Participate in advancing Physical Therapy knowledge and techniques through literature review, research, clinical practice, research trials, and continuing education.
• Orient, train, and mentor volunteers, aides, students, visitors, and incentive therapy workers.
• Cover for absent staff to support continuity of care.
• Submit patient scheduling requests and maintain schedule flexibility for unscheduled visits and family or caregiver training.
• Report unusual treatment difficulties to the Supervisor, Acting Supervisor, or Service Chief of PM&RS and, as needed, the referring provider.
• Establish and maintain quality assurance monitors related to patient care and clinic operations.
• Maintain productivity and provide quality, cost-effective care; collect and analyze patient care information and documentation through assigned peer reviews.
• Provide independent clinical oversight of Physical Therapy Assistants and students on clinical affiliations, as applicable to the grade-level requirements.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and approval, with a potential award up to $200,000 over an eligibility period of one to five years.
• Federal employee benefits package for employees and their families; specific benefits depend on position type and eligibility.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval before appointment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level