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
Education
Candidates must have: A bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist
OR A master's in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist
OR A doctorate degree in physical therapy
NOTE: Individuals must be a graduate of a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredited college or university
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) at www.apta.org
Foreign Graduates
Graduates of foreign physical therapy programs meet the above requirements if they have a full unrestricted and current license to practice physical therapy in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia
The Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT) is a non- 4 profit organization created to assist the United States (U.S.) Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly INS) and U.S. state licensing authorities by evaluating the credentials of Foreign Educated Physical Therapists (FEPTs) who wish to immigrate and work in the U.S. Although the licensing of physical therapists in the U.S. is a right and responsibility of each jurisdiction, foreign educated individuals must undergo an educational credentials assessment for substantial equivalency to the first professional degree in the US
The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) is committed to protect the public and to provide leadership within the field and practice of physical therapy
FSBPT's Foreign Educated Standards Committee has developed standards that represent "best practices" in evaluation services
The Credentials Evaluation Standards were developed with input from the physical therapy credentialing agencies that are licensed to use FSBPT's Coursework Tool
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
Language
Physical Therapists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d 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: (a) Experience
In addition to meeting the basic requirements, one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level and one of the following: Evidence of a minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice directly in the specialty area
This time must be between the past two and five years
or FEBRUARY 7, 2018 VA HANDBOOK 5005/99 PART II APPENDIX G12 II-G12-9 Board Certification in the specialty area recognized by the ABPTS
or Completion of a fellowship program
or An additional advanced degree in a related field
In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the all following KSAs
(b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Advanced knowledge and expert skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in a specialized treatment area of physical therapy
Ability to serve as a consultant and subject matter expert for health care providers regarding the delivery of care within a specialized content area of physical therapy (see paragraph 2i)
Ability to teach and mentor medical center staff in a specialized content area of physical therapy
Ability to guide the work of a multi-disciplinary team in a specialized content area of physical therapy
Advanced knowledge and expert skill to perform and interpret specialized procedures and tests in evaluating the treatment outcomes in the assigned specialty content area (see Definitions, paragraph 2
i.)
Preferred Experience: 6-8 years of clinical experience in the specialty area of neurological physical therapy in both inpatient and outpatient settings, with demonstrated experience supporting students as a clinical instructor or in clinical instructor training
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13
References: A Handbook 5005/99 Part II Appendix G12
Physical Therapist Qualification Standard, GS-0633, Veterans Health Administration
Physical Requirements: Pre-placement and periodic physical examinations are required for hybrid occupations to ensure workers are placed in positions where they can perform the essential functions of their job, considering their physical, mental, and emotional capacities, without endangering their health or the health of their co-workers.
