United States Citizens Permanent Full Time Vacancy Identification Number (VIN) 1354972
**OUR MISSION**: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise – "To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan" – by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans.
As a VA professional, your opportunities are endless. Not only is it the largest, most technologically advanced integrated health care system in the Nation, but we also provide many other services to Veterans through the Benefits Administration and National Cemeteries. VA professionals feel good about their careers and their ability to balance work and home life. VA offers generous paid time off and a variety of predictable and flexible scheduling opportunities. For more information on the Department of Veterans Affairs, go tohttp://www.vacareers.va.gov/**
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.**
**_RECRUITMENT INCENTIVES ARE AUTHORIZED FOR THIS POSITION_**
The incumbent for this position may be eligible to apply for the Education Debt Reduction Program pending funding availability. Please contact Human Resources at this medical center and speak with the Education Debt Reduction Program Coordinator for additional information.
**PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE JOB ANNOUNCEMENT BEFORE APPLYING.**
Must pass pre-employment examination Must be proficient in written and spoken English Designated and-or Random Drug Testing required Background and-or Security Investigation required Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
This position is assigned to Rehabilitation Service, Dayton VA Medical Center, Dayton, Ohio, however, the primary work location will be split between 2 locations. Dayton VA Medical Center 3 days per week and the Richmond Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in Richmond, Indiana 2 days per week. Recommend the candidate have at least one year experience in a primary outpatient, orthopaedic setting and demonstrate the ability to practice independently. This position provides rehabilitative services to persons with mobility impairments, secondary to orthopaedic, neuromuscular, med-surgical diagnosis, etc. The ultimate goal is to improve clients' quality of life through improved functional mobility. The principles duties include but are not limited to the following:
* Independently solves problems related to contemporary physical therapy, adapting and modifying specialized treatment plans, activities, and procedures to meet the needs of an outpatient population, including: Musculoskeletal strains, neuromuscular disorders, post-surgical orthopaedics, etc.
* Demonstrates the ability to teach, successfully mentor and guide staff, and to effectively serve as a consultant for health care providers regarding the delivery of care in the area of Outpatient rehabilitation.
* Knowledge and skill in developing/modifying and implementing evidence based protocols and procedures in Physical Therapy services for Outpatients with a multitude of diagnoses.
* Assists in the evaluation and treatment of other referred patients as needed to cover patient case load in the PT clinic or as assigned by the Supervisory Rehabilitation Therapist or designee.
* Following referral/consult from a physician or other approved provider, reviews the medical record, and independently utilizes appropriate standard measures as well as evaluation techniques pertinent to the diagnosis to determine functional deficits and the best method to accomplish rehabilitation goals.
* Independently develops, implements and modifies treatment utilizing specialized interventions and strategies to achieve maximum function and independence for patients with a variety of impairments, including: Musculoskeletal strains, neuromuscular disorders, post-surgical orthopaedics, etc.
* Interprets findings and educates patients and families about disease process, purpose of treatment, and patient's rights and responsibilities to improve compliance with treatment.
* Evaluating, fitting, and training patients on a multitude of assistive mobility devices and other durable medical equipment, including but not limited to: walkers, canes, crutches, wheelchairs, cushions, TENS, etc.
* Ability to complete daily administrative work requirements (i.e. completing encounters and daily documentation of patient care) in a computer based system.
**Work Schedule:******1st Shift 8:00 am to 4:30 pm******Functional Statement Title/#: Physical Therapist**
**Basic Requirements:**
* **U.S. citizenship.** Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
* **Education.** Degree: Graduate from a degree program in physical therapy from an approved college or university approved by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). 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) Web site,_ or at their office address: American Physical Therapy Association, 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314-1488, 703-684-2782, or 800-999-2782.
* **Licensure.** Current, full active, and unrestricted license to practice physical therapy in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or in the District of Columbia.
* **English Language Proficiency**. PTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3j.
**Preferred Experience:** At least 1 year experience in a primary outpatient, orthopaedic setting with ability to practice independently, preferred.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
**Grade Determinations:** 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. This criteria is consistent with the two-grade interval structure for professional/scientific professions found in VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G17.
**GS-7 Staff Physical Therapist**
Experience, Education and Licensure. None beyond basic requirements. Candidates at this level may have a baccalaureate degree from an approved program prior to the Commission of Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) January 1, 2002 decision as shown in the note in paragraph 2.
Assignment. Employees at this level serve as a Staff PT in a PT career development position practicing under close supervision of a PT at or above the full-performance level.
**GS-9 Staff Physical Therapist**
Education, Experience and Licensure. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, candidates must have 1 year of post degree progressively responsible experience equivalent to the next lower grade or a master's degree in physical therapy or a directly related field. In addition, candidates must fully demonstrate the knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics (KSAOs) in subparagraph (b) below.
**Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics (KSAOs)**
1. Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, physics, kinesiology, psychology, pathophysiology and surgical procedures as they relate to human function.
2. Knowledge of and ability to apply clinically appropriate assessment techniques and treatment interventions to address human pathophysiology and dysfunction.
3. Ability to communicate, both orally and in writing, with patients, families, caregivers, and other healthcare professions.
**Assignments.** Candidates at this grade level serve as staff PTs in a career development position progressively expanding their ability to provide assessment and treatment interventions for a wider range of human function systems. PTs at this level require less direction and guidance, but practice under the direction of a PT at or above the full performance level.
**GS-11 Physical Therapist**
Education, Experience and Licensure. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of 1 year of progressively complex experience and a broader scope of experience equivalent to the next lower grade; or 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a doctoral degree; or doctoral degree in physical therapy or a directly related field. In addition to meeting the KSAOs described at the GS-9 level, the candidate must fully demonstrate the KSAOs in subparagraph (b) below.
**Demonstrated KSAOs**
1. Knowledge of contemporary and evidence-based PT practice.
2. Ability to interpret clinician prescriptions and referrals.
3. Skill in communicating, both orally and in writing, with patients, families, caregivers, and other health care professions to facilitate the multidisciplinary treatment process.
4. Skill in utilizing appropriate screening and evaluation techniques required to appropriately provide direct patient care.
5. Knowledge of clinical signs and symptoms to make appropriate referrals for further medical attention/assessment as indicated.
**Assignments.** Candidates must be licensed for assignment at this grade level, and are considered to be at the full performance level. Staff PTs at this level are responsible for providing assessment and treatment intervention. They are assigned to all program areas which are covered by Rehabilitation Services and provide professional, independent physical therapy services in the assigned area. PTs at this level may be given general assignments in any physical therapy program area where the advanced specialized knowledge is not required on a recurring basis due to the patient population served and complexity of the facility and/or treatment area or may serve as the sole PT at a less complex facility. Individuals may perform ancillary assignments, including program management duties on an occasional basis, where the complexity and amount of work is not substantial (less than 25% of the duty time).
**References:** VA Handbook 5005/24, Part II, Appendix G12, Physical Therapist Qualification Standard.This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.
**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.
**Physical Requirements:**Walking; 1 to 8 hours, Standing; 1 to 8 hours, Repeated bending; 1 to 8 hours, Sitting; 1 to 8 hours. Hearing aid permitted.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.
Your application, résumé and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
**NOTE:**The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-7 to GS-11. The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will recommend the grade and salary for new appointments. For internal selectees being promoted, the board will determine grade and HR will determine step in accordance with policy.****
**All applicants are encouraged to apply online.**
**To apply for this position**, you must complete the View Occupational Questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on Tuesday, May 24, 2016 to receive consideration.
1. To begin, click **Apply Online** to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
2. Click **Submit My Answers** to submit your application package.
*NOTE*: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete. All applicants are _**required**_ to submit the following supporting document type(s):
* Resume
Applicants may also submit the following supporting document type(s),which may not be required for all applicants:
* Cover Letter
* DD-214
* OF-306
* Other (Application VA Form 10-2850c)
* Other Veterans Document
* SF-15
* SF-50
* Transcript
******VA Form 10-2850c** - Application for Associated Health Occupations (Available at http://www.va.gov/vaforms/medical/pdf/vha-10-2850c-fill.pdf) **(required)**.
Please use this checklist__to make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify),documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.
**Veterans' Preference:** When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference on the Occupational Questionnaire in the section provided and provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) and/or documentation related to your active duty service which shows dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), or dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veterans Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. For more information, please review the information for disabled Veterans in the application checklist or visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx.
**Faxing Applications or Supporting Documents:**You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application. If you are unable to apply online or unable to upload your supporting documents to your online application, follow the directions located at the following site: Fax Options. The Vacancy ID of the job opportunity announcement is 1354972.
*NOTE*: If you applied online and your application is complete, do not fax the paper application (1203-FX) as this will overwrite your prior online responses and may result in you being found ineligible.
After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. During our review, if your résumé and application package do not support your questionnaire answers, we will adjust your rating accordingly. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email (if provided); otherwise, applicants will receive a notification letter via the U.S. Postal Service. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USAJOBS account and clicking on “Application Status.” For a more detailed update of your status, click on “more information.” Information regardingapplicant notification points can be found in the USAJobs Resource Center.
VA offers a comprehensive benefits package. This link provides is an overview of the benefits currently offered:http://www.vacareers.va.gov/why-choose-va/benefits/index.asp.**
Receiving Service Credit for 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. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.