Description:
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.Requirements:
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: 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: 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 in subparagraph 3b 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. Grandfathering Provision. Does not apply to positions above the full performance level. Physical Requirements. You will undergo a pre-employment physical. English Language Proficiency: Physical Therapists appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English. GRADE REQUIREMENTSCreditable Experience
Knowledge of Contemporary Professional Physical Therapy Practice. To be creditable, a candidate must have demonstrated possession of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with the scope of physical therapy practice. The candidate's experience may be evidenced by one or more of the following: Active professional practice. Active professional practice means paid/non-paid employment as a professional PT as defined by APTA or the appropriate licensing board. Experience gained after graduation but prior to licensure is creditable provided the candidate was utilized as a graduate PT and subsequently passed the licensure examination. Completion of a post-graduate fellowship or a post-graduate residency program may be substituted for creditable experience on a year for year basis. Quality of Experience. Experience is only creditable if it was post degree experience as a professional PT and is directly related to the duties to be performed. Qualifying experience must also be at a level comparable to or exceeding the professional PT experience at the next lower grade level. b. Grade Determination. In addition to the basic requirements for appointment in paragraph 2, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates.
Grade Determination. In addition to the basic requirements for appointment in paragraph 2, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates.
GS- 13 Physical Therapist (Supervisory)
Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level is required. Experience includes monitoring and assigning work; providing input on work performance; resolving daily workplace issues and maintaining efficient workflow; demonstrating advanced practice skills and judgment across many areas of physical therapy; providing clinical practice guidance to other staff; determining treatment options for complex patients with multiple conditions; ensuring work is completed by distributing and balancing workload among employees; assuring timely accomplishment of the assigned workload; and assessing the status, quality and progress of work.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA):
In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following following KSAs: Knowledge of contemporary physical therapy across multiple areas of practice, and the demonstrated ability to apply this knowledge to provide clinical guidance to Staff PTs within the department. Knowledge of human resources administration, including such functions as the ability to interview and select qualified applicants, monitor and evaluate performance, and maintain effective labor management relations within scope of responsibility. Ability to effectively supervise, direct, and manage a diverse physical therapy staff. Skill in forging positive interpersonal relationships and conflict resolution. Ability to analyze clinically appropriate data effectively to optimize quality, performance, and productivity within the section. Ability to set priorities, delegate tasks, and solve problems in order to meet multiple deadlines and identify/address organizational problems. Ability to manage advocacy roles and planning activities within the VA and the greater rehabilitation community. References: VA Handbook 5005-99, Part II Appendix G12, February 7,2018
Physical Demands: The onsite works involves standing and walking for about 70-80% of a normal workday. In addition, the physical therapist must be able to squat, kneel, push and pull, and lift loads from the ground and from above shoulder height. The physical demand level as defined by the Department of Labor is 'Medium' requiring the occasional lifting of 20-50 lbs, the frequent lifting of 10-25 lbs and the constant lifting of 10 lbs during the normal workday.
Physical Therapy requires manual dexterity and coordination to use modalities such as TENS units, and to demonstrate the use of mobility equipment such as walkers and wheelchairs. In addition, physical therapists must be able to modify such equipment using tools.The telework component is sedentary in nature and will require the ability to remain stationery for long periods of time as well as set up, use/manipulate computer equipment and related accessories at an alternate work site.
Feb 2, 2024;
from:
usajobs.gov