Summary 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. Responsibilities The incumbent is assigned in the Miami VA Mobility and Seating Clinic and serves Veterans in need of assistive technology or adapted mobility. Additional responsibilities include providing direct care services at the on-site Community Living Centers (CLC), local CBOCs, Local VA Skilled Nursing Facilities if needed, Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) and veterans admitted to the Miami VA Medical Center. The incumbent is responsible for completing complex evaluation and treatments applying advanced evaluation methodologies and treatment theories in the provision of care to a vast array of functional impairment and Veterans as well as provides clinical practice guidance for other staff Physical and Occupational Therapy. The duties and responsibilities of a Physical Therapist may include, but are not limited to, any of the following: Evaluates the Veteran's needs for assistive devices, and adaptive appliances. Recommends adjustments for prosthetic/orthotic devices and makes minor adjustments to obtain maximal functional benefits. Independently plans, coordinates, and carries out Physical Therapy interventions for referred Veterans to restore function, compensate for dysfunction and minimize debilitation. Evaluates, develops, and implements appropriate physical therapy treatment to address both manual and power mobility needs, specialized seating, and instrumental activities of daily living. Administers and interprets recognized tests and measurements to determine baseline level of functioning and treatment applications which will enable patients to achieve valued functional outcomes. Documents results as established in scopes of practice and makes recommendations. Independently plans and coordinates services of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) Mobility and Seating Clinics to meet objectives established by the incumbents direct Supervisor. Independently plans, coordinates, and carries out specialized treatment programs related to seating and mobility needs; re-evaluates and adjusts treatment as appropriate. Works independently in planning and carrying out treatment programs to meet complex treatment objectives. Independently solves complex problems related to physical therapy and wheelchair seating and power mobility. Receives Veteran referrals from appropriate source or as direct access. Schedules Veterans for treatment, considering priority and frequency of care and coordinating schedules with other members of the treatment team. Documents performance and timely treatment and achievement of treatment goals. Assuring a high level of productivity and cost-effective treatments are provided. Documents evaluations, treatment plans and response to treatment as in compliance with PM&RS policies and procedures, including time frames. Serves as a consultant for other rehabilitation therapists regarding the delivery of Physical Therapy Services. Functions on a multidisciplinary team, representing the Rehabilitation section by communicating directly with team members such as Veteran's physician, nursing personnel, social worker, dietitian, psychologist, and other Rehabilitation disciplines involved with the Veteran's care. Advises and instructs medical center staff regarding care of Veteran's needs and progress; also providing discharge planning information. Continues to maintain and learn advanced skills in this area by attending continuing education courses and training when applicable. Performs functions of a staff therapist when not completing tasks & responsibilities as a Wheelchair Seating Therapist. Clinically supervises therapy assistants, aides, and volunteers who are assigned to the section. Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary when performing his/her duties in providing care appropriate to adult and geriatric patients. Knowledge of age associated changes, illnesses, and potential disabilities to work with patients. Abilities to communicate, assess, and/or interpret data and information reflective of patient's status to identify patients' requirements. Routinely plans and provides patient evaluation and treatment which requires application of highly specialized skills and knowledge to accomplish complex objectives. Has thorough understanding of physical and psychological disabilities; can interpret a wide variety of functional levels. Plans and provides in-service educational programs to physical therapy staff. Provides educational sessions to other professionals and/or trainees to promote understanding of, and appropriate use of therapy services. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 31785F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact V8EDRPMiami@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Requirements Conditions of Employment 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. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications 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: Be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a). Education and/or Experience-Transcripts Supplied The individual must meet at least one of the following requirements below: Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. -OR- Master's Degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. -OR- Doctorate degree in physical therapy. PLEASE NOTE: Individuals must be a graduate of a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredited college or university. Foreign Graduates - Graduates of foreign physical therapy programs meet the requirements if they have a current, full, active, and unrestricted license to practice physical therapy in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. State Licensure-Submitted. Candidates must possess a full, current, and unrestricted state license to practice physical therapy in a state, territory or Commonwealth of the United States (i.e. Puerto Rico), or in the District of Columbia. EXCEPTION: Non-licensed physical therapists (PT's), who otherwise meet the Basic Requirements, may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate PT at the GS-11 grade level for a period not-to-exceed two years. 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 GRADE REQUIREMENTS - In addition to the Basic Requirements provided in the Physical Therapist Qualification Standard GS-0633 Veterans Health Administration - February 7, 2018, the following are the grade requirements. Grade Determinations for Physical Therapist GS-12: GS-12 Experience, Education, AND Licensure (Submitted): In addition to the Basic Requirements, a Physical Therapist at the full performance GS-12 level MUST be licensed AND possess at least one (1) year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level directly related to the position being filled. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs: 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. See the referenced Qualification Standard for additional information. Selective Placement Factor: The preferred incumbent has advanced clinical experience and training in wheelchair seating and positioning and assistive technology which may include special certification (i.e. Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) certification). 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. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 pounds or over); light carrying (under 15 pounds); straight pushing (.5 hours); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking (.5 hours); standing (.5 hours); crawling (.5 hours); kneeling (.5 hours); repeated bending (1 hour); climbing, legs only (.5 hours); climbing, use of legs and arms; operation of crane, truck, tractor or motor vehicle; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; specific visual requirement (corrective lenses okay); both eyes required; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid may be permitted); mental and emotional stability. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript MUST be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. 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/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.