Physical Therapist Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for appointment of non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Graduate of a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)-accredited college or university.
• Meet one of the education and experience pathways: a bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy and five years of progressively independent physical therapist experience; a master’s degree in Physical Therapy and two years of progressively independent physical therapist experience; or a doctorate degree in physical therapy.
• Full, current, and unrestricted license to practice physical therapy in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• One year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level.
• Ability to make autonomous clinical decisions and independently evaluate and treat patients, including in a Direct Access environment.
• Skill in examining and evaluating impairments and activity or participation limitations related to musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and integumentary systems, while considering psychosocial and environmental factors.
• Ability to interpret examination findings, select appropriate tests and measures, and integrate results into plans of care for a wide range of patient populations.
• Ability to establish a physical therapy diagnosis, select rehabilitation interventions, and refer patients to another provider when clinically indicated.
• Ability to determine prognosis and establish clinically appropriate goals that reflect examination findings and patient preferences and support functional independence.
• Ability to provide clinical oversight of physical therapy assistants and students in Doctoral PT or PTA programs.
• Ability to coordinate workflow and clinical activities and monitor data reports to support patient care.
• Ability to communicate assignments, objectives, problems, and actionable events to the clinical team and advise on work methods, practices, and procedures.
• Ability to provide new staff orientation, staff development, and training, and to mentor and coach the clinical team.
• Ability to manage staffing requirements and priorities, coordinate work accurately and on time, and follow up on pending issues.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical examination and meet applicable background, security, onboarding, and identification requirements.
• Must participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to the terms described in the announcement.
• Physical capacity for recurring standing, bending, kneeling, reaching, gripping, walking, and moderate to heavy lifting; good physical health and normal use of arms and legs may be required, and above-average agility may be desirable.

Responsibilities

• Examine and treat patients referred to the Physical Therapy Department, following consult orders and independently reviewing medical records.
• Evaluate patients’ medical histories, imaging, range of motion, muscle strength, sensory function, coordination, functional mobility, pain, and other relevant measures.
• Use standard and non-standard evaluation methods to assess functional status and provide progressive treatment.
• Develop and deliver rehabilitation programs using appropriate physical therapy techniques and modalities, including manual therapy, therapeutic exercise and activities, neuromuscular reeducation, gait and postural training, heat, cryotherapy, ultrasound, and TENS.
• Educate patients, family members, caregivers, employees, students, and coworkers about physical therapy and treatment.
• Provide specialized treatments and procedures autonomously within established competencies and applicable laws, regulations, and professional guidance.
• Monitor patients during treatment, modify treatment when needed to protect patient health, consult referring providers, report progress, and adjust plans in response to changing needs, goals, and performance.
• Use clinical judgment to determine appropriate duration of a patient’s episode of care based on functional progress.
• Supervise, guide, and instruct student physical therapists, student physical therapist assistants, and other healthcare team members.
• Conduct home safety assessments; develop home-based programs; assess the need for home modifications and durable medical equipment; train and monitor safe equipment use; teach safe body mechanics; and monitor Veterans’ functional status.
• Attend interdisciplinary team meetings, present patients and report their performance, current status, and continuing goals to physicians and other team members.
• Coordinate patient care effectively with treatment team members and other healthcare providers.
• Coordinate workflow and clinical activities, monitor data reports, communicate assignments and work methods, support staff orientation and development, mentor and coach clinical staff, and manage staffing priorities and follow-up.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; eligibility depends on position type and other applicable conditions.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, if requested and approved before appointment; credit is not guaranteed.