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. Learn more 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 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: 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. 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 in this standard, 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. Failure to obtain licensure during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment. English Language Proficiency: Individuals appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA must be proficient in written and spoken English. See Chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Preferred Competencies: Outpatient experience GS-11 Physical Therapist (Entry) (a) Education, Experience, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. (NOTE: See exception to licensure requirement in subparagraph 3c above.) (b) Assignment. 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 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, hold a valid unrestricted state license and demonstrate all the KSAs below: (b) 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. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/99 PART II APPENDIX G12 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 to GS-12. Physical Requirements: The work involves sitting, standing, walking, bending, stooping and reaching. Lifting and carrying of occasional moderately heavy objects, such as assistive devices occur regularly. Must be able to lift objects up to 35 pounds. Periods of time may be moderately demanding, to include assisting Veterans with impaired mobility and/or cognitive functioning. Intermittent complicated issues with Veterans and/or family members may periodically become stressful. Extended periods of computer processing duties. Employee must be able to work under the pressure of emergent conditions and tight deadlines. Work is performed in a clinical setting that exposes the incumbent to the communicable diseases common to client population. ["The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. The incumbent is responsible to function as a member of the Physical Therapy department in the Rehabilitation and Extended Care service line providing direct patient care to veterans throughout the Sioux Falls VA Healthcare system (SFVAHCS) inclusive of the Sioux Falls VA Medical Center and community-based outpatient clinics. The physical therapist independently develops and implements a physical therapy treatment program utilizing judgment to modify the treatment as a result of changing medical conditions. This department has specialized treatment programs. Incumbent maintains current licensure, registration, or certification as required by laws and regulations. Position travels throughout the Sioux Falls VA Health Care System. The duties and responsibilities of this position are carried out within the SFVA Medical Center and surrounding community based outpatient clinics (CBOC). Duties include, but are not limited to: Makes autonomous clinical decisions in a direct access environment. This includes independently evaluating and treating veterans who seek physical therapy services. Incumbent is responsible for providing assessment and treatment in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Works effectively with treatment team members, veterans, and veterans' family/significant others, and other health care providers to coordinate the veterans' total care. Effectively communicates in electronic medical record and other written and/or verbal sources to promote positive communication, collaboration and teamwork. Skill in performing examinations and evaluations of veterans 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. Ability to interpret findings from examination and evaluation, select appropriate outcome test and measures, and integrate findings into the physical therapy plan of care for the full range of veteran populations. Develops and promotes new and existing treatment programs incorporating clinical practice guidelines with evidence-based support. Refers veteran to appropriate resources when the needs of the veteran can best be served by the expertise of other professionals or services. Educates current and potential referral sources about the scope of physical therapy services and the process of initiating physical therapy services. Uses screening methods appropriate to the client's performance context and communicates screening results and recommendations to the appropriate personnel. Selects assessment tools to evaluate the veteran's level of function and follows standardized protocols when indicated. Documents evaluation results, treatment plans, veteran response to treatment and education given in accordance with the facility guidelines including The Joint Commission requirements and Long-Term Care Institute requirements, as well as APTA guidelines. Initial evaluations will be documented in a timely manner in accordance with facility guidance. Demonstrates the ability to provide a therapeutic, safe environment for adult and geriatric populations. Uses knowledge and understanding of the needs and the changing physical characteristics associated with these age groups in clinical practice. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.\nCompressed Schedule: Negotiable.\nTelework: Not available.\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nPosition Description/PD#: Physical Therapist /PD000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized.\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required."]