Summary The incumbent is a staff member of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service of the Ralph H. Johnson VAMC. The position is located in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service at Charleston, SC. The incumbent carries a full patient load; is responsible for maintaining appropriate patient record in accordance with Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, VA and JCO policies and standards. Responsibilities The incumbent independently evaluates each patient's functional level, develops and implements treatment plan specific to the patient needs, arranges appropriate, meaningful clinical and educational experiences for students (as needed), as well as work-study students and volunteers as available. The physical therapist develops the plan of care for the Veteran and supervises the PTA in providing that plan of care. The incumbent may be assigned to any program area within the Ralph H. Johnson VAMC and may rotate on a regular basis through the inpatient and outpatient setting. Assigned Duties but not limited to : Responsible for the examination and treatment of Veterans referred to the Physical Therapy Department Designs, conducts, and evaluates education, experiences within specialty content area for staff members and seeks educational opportunities to enhance the Physical Therapy Department, PM&RS, and the Medical Center. Represents the Physical Therapy Department and PM&RS at various clinical and administrative meetings at the discretion of the Supervisory Physical Therapist Conducts comprehensive Veteran examinations to identify rehabilitation problems and establish treatment goals. Develops and implements treatment plans designed to meet established goals. Supervises physical therapy assistant in Veteran's plan of care. Evaluates Veteran response to treatment and modifies the treatment plan to provide optimum outcome. Performs ancillary assignments, including program management duties on an occasional basis, where the complexity and amount of work is not substantial. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30AM - 4:00PM Telework: Ad-Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 534-10250F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY 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 You may be required to serve a probationary period Subject to a background/security investigation Must be proficient in written and spoken English Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process Participation in the seasonal influenza and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Vaccination programs are requirements for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Qualifications 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: (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. 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. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: GS-12 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: 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. Preferred Experience:: 2+ years' experience in acute inpatient and outpatient PT settings. ABPTS-Specialist Preferred. . References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/99 PART II APPENDIX G12The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; heavy carrying, 45 pounds and over; straight pulling (4 hours); pushing (4 hours); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking (6 hours); standing (6 hours); kneeling (5 hours); repeated bending (5 hours); climbing, use of legs and arms; both legs required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; good visual requirement; hearing (aid 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. Additional Information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. 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. If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.