Physical Therapist

Duties
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• Performs a wide range of complex physical therapy duties requiring an advanced practical knowledge of physical therapy, evidence-based medicine and data collection.
• Responsibilities include providing evaluation and therapeutic interventions to a full range of wounded, ill, and injured service members with needs concerned with, but not limited to, physical rehabilitation, musculoskeletal extremity injury, etc
• Uses appropriate screening and diagnostic tests which may include ordering radiographic and laboratory studies; prescribing limited medications, i.e., anti-inflammatories.
• Incorporates psychosocial and environmental factors that contribute to the impact of injury or illness on daily functional capabilities.
• Attends and participates in professional conferences and educational seminars, in-house training and continuing education meetings within the physical therapy and the orthopedic departments.
• Supports the patient education activities of the physical therapy clinic through the presentation of various lectures and/or provision of consultation as the subject matter expert on topics related to physical therapy.

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.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• One year trial/probationary period may be required.
• You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
• 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.
• All applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
• This position is subject to a pre-employment screening, and random drug testing, to include testing based on reasonable suspicion and testing due to direct involvement with an on-duty accident.
• This position requires the incumbent be able to obtain and maintain a determination of eligibility or a Secret security clearance or access for the duration of employment. A background investigation and credit check are required.
• 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 has mandatory seasonal Influenza vaccination requirements and is subject to annual seasonal Influenza vaccinations unless otherwise exempted for medical or religious reasons (documentation of exemption must be provided upon hire).
• This position requires the incumbent to have Tuberculosis testing.
• This position requires the completion of a pre-employment Physical Examination and an annual examination thereafter to ensure the continued, required level of physical health and ability or fitness to perform the duties of the position.
• This position has been designated Mission Essential. In the event of severe weather conditions or other such emergency type situations, the incumbent is required to report to work or remain at work as scheduled to support mission operations.
• TDY: May be expected to travel up to 5% for this position.
• 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.

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 Requirements for Physical Therapist GS-12:

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: 1) evaluating patients due to pain and/or injuries; 2) developing and/or implanting physical therapy treatment plans; 3) providing education to patients or staff regarding physical therapy treatments. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-11).

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

• Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
• Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
• 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.
• Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
• 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.
• Relocation and Recruitment Incentive MAY BE authorized for highly qualified individuals.