Physical Therapist

<p>This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.</p><h3>Major Duties</h3><p>NOTE: THE 2-PAGE RESUME REQUIREMENT DOES NOT APPLY TO THIS OCCUPATIONAL SERIES. FOR MORE INFORMATION, REFER TO REQUIRED DOCUMENTS BELOW. The Physical Therapist is a licensed physical therapist who is responsible for administering physical therapy programs to adult and geriatric patients referred from Alaska VA or community providers. Independently plans, coordinates, and implements comprehensive Physical Therapy evaluations and treatment of patients. Purpose of the work is the prevention of disability and the physical rehabilitation of persons with disabilities resulting from dysfunction of the musculoskeletal system. The practice concentrates on both actual and potential dysfunction of physical capacity and movement. Functions Provides comprehensive physical therapy evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation service to Veterans with a wide range of orthopedic, neurological, musculoskeletal, cardiopulmonary, and functional mobility conditions. Performs thorough patient assessment including medical history review, physical examination, functional testing, movement analysis, and interpretation of diagnostic imaging and clinical findings. Develops and implements individualized, evidence-based treatment plans focusing on improving mobility, independence, safety pain management, and quality of life. Provides skilled therapeutic interventions including therapeutic exercises, neuromuscular re-education, gait training, balance training, manual therapy, functional mobility training, and patient education. Conducts home safety evaluations and recommends adaptive equipment, environmental modifications, and mobility solutions to maximize Veteran independence within the home environment. Educates Veterans, caregivers, and families regarding, diagnosis, treatment strategies, home exercise programs, injury prevention, and long-term self management. Evaluates and recommends durable medical equipment, assistive devices, mobility aids, and other rehabilitation technologies to support Veteran functional goals. Documents evaluations, progress notes, treatment plans, and outcomes in the electronic health record in accordance with VA policies, clinical standards, and regulatory requirements. Supports VA mission initiatives by improving access to rehabilitation services for Veterans throughout Interior Alaska and addressing barriers related to rural geography and limited healthcare resources. Demonstrates flexibility and independence in managing a diverse caseload while delivering Veteran-centered, high quality rehabilitation care in a rural health-care environment. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8am - 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Available after training Telework: AD-HOC Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentive: May be authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized</p><h3>Requirements</h3>You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Must have a valid state-issued drivers license and cleared to operate a government owned vehicle. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.<h3>Education</h3>QUALIFICATIONS CONTINUED Assignment: At the full performance level, PTs are responsible for independently providing assessment and treatment interventions to inpatients and outpatients received through healthcare provider referrals and patient self-referrals. 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 personal and environmental factors. PTs interpret findings from examination, diagnostic studies/medical tests and, during evaluation, select appropriate clinical tests and measures, and then 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 intervention to treat and/or refer to another provider for further consultation when needed. They determine physical therapy prognosis by incorporating examination findings with the patient's preferences for meaningful level of function in order to set clinically appropriate treatment goals and optimize outcomes. Physical therapists select appropriate equipment needed to substitute for loss of function or to substitute for limited function of individuals they treat. Staff PTs at this level practice autonomously, making recommendations and referrals to other medical specialties/services as clinically indicated during ongoing assessment of patients under their care. The staff PT may also develop and provide individualized clinical training experiences for physical therapy students in facilities with established clinical experience rotations. PTs at this level may be given general assignments in any/all areas where physical therapy services are deemed necessary, and/or may serve as the sole PT at a less complex facility. Individuals may perform ancillary assignments as deemed appropriate given the needs of a facility on an occasional basis, where the amount of work is not substantial (less than 25% of the duty time). Preferred Experience: Manual Therapy, Dry Needling, Outpatient Setting, and Geriatric Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: This work requires moderate lifting (15-44lbs), light carrying (under 15lbs), use of fingers, both hands required, walking, standing, operation of truck or motor vehicle, hearing (aid may be permitted). Environmental factors including working closely with others and working alone. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.