Summary The Staff Physical Therapist (PT)(Entry) is assigned to the Physical Therapy Section within Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) at the Fayetteville VA Medical Center in Fayetteville, NC, which is a Complexity Level lc facility. Incumbent has the ability to use professional knowledge effectively and must possess initiative, tact, resourcefulness, and good judgment in exercising authority. Responsibilities VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY Providing Leadership: Assists Supervisory Therapist, Physical Medicine and Rehab Service (PM&RS) in planning and developing various treatment programs to meet patient needs, as requested by PM&R Chief. Directly supervises the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) in clinical duties in the care of patients being treated by the PT's plan of care. Actively supports and promotes all programs of PM&RS. Assists with orientation of new PM&RS staff. Establishes and maintains contact with other health care providers inside and outside the VA network as needed in efforts to provide exceptional patient care (via written, telephone, and personal communication) on a regular basis. Resolves problems that interfere with delivery of Physical Therapy care. Quality Assurance (QA) / Quality Improvement (QI): Assists in the development, planning and implementation of monitors of quality of care with respect to PM&RS as part of the comprehensive health care services delivered to the patients within the Fayetteville VA Coastal Health Care System (FVACHCS). Conducts record keeping related to patient care documentation and quality improvement (QI) data collection as specified by the Supervisory Therapist. Reviews and makes recommendations on supply and equipment acquisition necessary for delivery of patient care. Participates in Departmental program development and quality improvement projects to include, but not limited to, chart reviews, committee membership, and process improvement projects. Treatment: Responsible for the examination and treatment of patients referred to the physical Therapy Section of the PM&R Service. Assesses patient dysfunction using appropriate measures/tests/tools. Communicates effectively with other internal and external healthcare providers involved in patient care via written, telephone, and personal communication on a regular basis. Demonstrates the teaching skills required to provide education to patients, family members, caregivers, employees, students, and coworkers. Functions autonomously in providing patient education, specialized treatments, and applying physical therapy procedures for which competency has been established and in accordance with laws or regulations and within the scope of practice outlined by American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) standards. Responsible for modifying treatment plans, therapeutic activities and interventions based on the changing needs, goals and performance of the patient. Responsible for modifying treatment plans when either the established goals or time frames for achievement of those goals have been attained. Documentation: Performs competent written documentation of initial examinations, progress notes, and discharge summaries. Demonstrates advanced competency in knowledge of electronic documentation and computer skills. Enters consults within the PM&R Section (i.e., to Occupational or Recreational Therapy) or to the Prosthetics department for durable medical equipment in accordance with PM&R and medical center policies. Reviews and co-signs notes written by the PTA to whom the PT has delegated patient care or for patients seen by the PTA within the PM&R Clinic. Education: Educates other facility personnel in the scope of PM&R Service programs involving a variety of health care specialties. Continually seeks to improve knowledge and skill by review of current literature, participation in in-service training, and attendance at continuing education programs. Provides continuing education and training to other staff members. Focus on maintaining and improving competency in all general clinical functions but may also include coursework directed toward the development and improvement of clinical instruction, delivery of patient care, data collection and reporting techniques, and utilization and reporting of outcome measures. Administrative Responsibilities: Maintaining state licensure. Completing all FVACHCS mandatory Talent Management System (TMS) training in a timely manner. Completing Encounter information (to include documentation and billing) in accordance with APTA, PM&RS, and FVACHCS guidelines. Using the computer system for storing and retrieving electronic documents and files, transmitting and receiving e-mail, activating printers, requesting annual or sick leave via the Government Time and Attendance (GovTA) system, and accessing the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) while continually safeguarding against the unauthorized release of patient medical information. Communicates with co-workers and coordinates coverage for anticipated and unanticipated leave in accordance with PM&RS policies. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm. Functional Statement #: 00000 Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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 trial period. 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 dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). 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: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Education and experience. 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. Licensure: Must have 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. GS-12 Physical Therapist (Full Performance Level)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: 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. 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). 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 and over, use of fingers, both hands required, reaching above shoulder, Walking (8 hours), Standing (8 hours), Both legs required (1 prosthetic), Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, Ability to distinguish basic colors, Ability to distinguish shades of colors, Hearing (Aid permitted), and Mental and emotional stability. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. 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. 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.