Physical Therapist

Duties
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• Provide physical therapy care in support of physical disabilities and neuro-musculoskeletal dysfunctions in patients of all ages.
• Perform comprehensive neurological and musculoskeletal evaluations of patients referred to the department.
• Prepare treatment plans based upon physical and mental condition determined in consult.
• Instruct patients and their families on home programs to compliment treatment.
• Re-evaluate patient's level of function periodically to determine if treatment goals are being achieved.
• Document care provided in the patient's automated health record.
• Order radiology studies and routine laboratory appointments as needed.

Requirements
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Conditions of employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• This position requires the incumbent be able to obtain and maintain a determination of eligibility for a Secret security clearance or access for the duration of employment. A background investigation and credit check are required.
• This position requires the completion of a pre-employment Physical Examination to ensure the continued, required level of physical health and ability or fitness to perform the duties of the position.
• This position is subject to a pre-employment/placement screening, and random drug testing thereafter.
• Immunization screening is required. Hepatitis B immunization is required for all positions with direct patient contact. Applicants may be required to show proof of other immunizations depending on the type of position.
• This position requires that you obtain and maintain a Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from, or in accordance with, the American Heart Association and American Red Cross. Advanced certification (e.g., ALS) does not supersede BLS.
• This position has been designated "Mission Essential". In the event of severe weather conditions or other such emergency type situations (natural or man-made disaster) the incumbent is required to report to work or remain at work as scheduled.
• Moderate to heavy lifting up to 50 pounds may be required.
• Must possess and maintain a current, active, valid and unrestricted Physical Therapist license from a U.S. State, District of Columbia, Commonwealth territory, or jurisdiction in accordance with Office of Personnel Management (OPM) standards.
• The position requires the employee to be able to work evenings/nights, rotating shifts, extended hours, weekends, holidays, on-call or other schedules common to hospital operations, on and occasional basis or on an emergency basis, when necessary.
• The position requires the employee to be credentialed through the Hospital Credentials Committee as a Physical Therapist in accordance with DHA and other applicable regulations and directives.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and experience requirements described below. 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; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document .

Basic Requirement for Physical Therapy:

Degree: A graduate (or higher level) degree that included a physical therapy curriculum approved by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or a professional accrediting organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained, and completion of the clinical requirements prescribed by the school.

Licensure: Applicants must possess a current, active, full, and unrestricted license or registration as a Physical Therapist from a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States; and must have passed the National Physical Therapy Examination administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT).

Exemption: You are exempt from the basic requirements above if you are a current federal employee occupying a position in the 0633 occupational series and have been continuously employed in this occupational series since September 27, 2017 or before. Note: You will be required to provide appropriate documentation to the respective Human Resources Office to validate your status.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes conducting physical therapy patient evaluations and developing physical therapy treatment plans. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-09).

OR

Additional Graduate Training: Additional graduate training in a specialized field of clinical practice designed to assure professional competence to practice in the specialty.

OR

Education: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: Physical Therapy.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages.

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/ .

Additional information

• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
• One year trial/probationary period may be required.
• Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
• Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
• Recruitment or relocation incentives MAY be authorized for highly qualified candidates.
• Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
• Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
• If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
• Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.