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
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
See Chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a
Education and experience
The individual must meet at least one of the requirements below: Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist
Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist
Doctorate degree in physical therapy 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)
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
Grade Determinations: GS-13 Physical Therapist (Program Coordinator) Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Ability to apply advanced knowledge of contemporary physical therapy within specialty area to provide clinical guidance, training or education for internal and external stakeholders
Ability to serve as a consultant within the assigned program area for intra-agency and interagency planning and to provide service coordination to optimize program continuity, efficiency and effectiveness
Knowledge of and skill in management, administration and/or education methodologies
This includes the ability to monitor and track data, utilize available resources effectively, evaluate program quality, and generate reports for local, and/or VISN and/or VACO leadership
Ability to develop and coordinate treatment and/or educational programs within a concentrated field or specialty area, such as, but not limited to, amputee, spinal cord injury, chronic pain, student clinical education/residency programming, polytrauma/traumatic brain injury
Ability to establish and maintain collaborative relationships within department and with other departments or affiliated programs
Ability to guide the work of a multi-disciplinary team
Preferred Experience: Acute Care/ acute Inpatient Rehabilitation 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-13
Physical Requirements: Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, and reach frequently throughout the workday
Strength and endurance: To lift and support patients, especially during transfers or exercises
Visual acuity: Clear vision to assess client needs and observe movements
Auditory perception: Ability to understand verbal instructions and client communication
Cognitive abilities: Quick decision-making, problem-solving, and adaptability to different situations
Incumbent must be able to lift 50 pounds to chest height and maintain good body mechanics
