The incumbent will be competent in the provision of outpatient physical therapy services for a broad range of orthopedic, neuromuscular, and mobility conditions and demonstrates application of knowledge, skills and abilities associated with current professional physical therapy practice. He/She will spend the majority of time working in the area of general outpatient physical therapy in the Community Based Outpatient Clinic ( setting, serving primarily Hibbing and Twin Ports CBOCs). 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 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 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. Non-licensed PTs, who otherwise meet the basic requirements in this standard, may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate PT at the GS-11 grade level under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 (a)(1)(D) for a period not-to-exceed two years from the date of employment on the condition that such PT provide care only under the supervision of a PT who is licensed. Failure to obtain licensure during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment. 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, this part. 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: GS-11 Physical Therapist (Entry)(a) Education, Experience, and Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements. (NOTE: See exception to licensure requirement in subparagraph 3c above.) GS-12 Physical Therapist (Full Performance Level) (a) 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: (b) Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities: 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-12 Physical Therapist Qualification Standard, GS-0633, Veterans Health Administration. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 to GS-12. Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be able to reach above shoulders, have use of fingers and both hands, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, moderate lifting no more than 35 pounds, climbing and use of arms and legs, walking, standing and kneeling are required ["The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.\nDuties may include but are not limited to the following: 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. Performs complex physical therapy evaluation and treatment for male and female patients aged 20-85+ years old. Stage of life is considered and used to modify evaluation and treatment based on the needs of the individual. Assessment of the patient's learning needs is performed and patient education is tailored to meet those needs involving the patient, family and significant others in the process as appropriate. Involves the patient, family/significant other and medical team in treatment planning and goal setting through ongoing communication. Plans and carries out the full range of routine to complex interventions and treatment modalities where therapeutic objectives are routine to complex and procedures involved require the application of skills and knowledge in the area of general/orthopedic outpatient physical therapy. Adapts and applies treatment procedures with critical concern for patients who are acutely ill, or who have a combination of severe mental/emotional or physical disabilities. Treatment will be provided in the CBOC outpatient Physical Therapy clinic and in the community as appropriate for the patient's needs. These skills and interventions will be based on current physical therapy theory, research and practice. Demonstrates independent problem-solving skills that allow for frequent modification of treatment plans in response to subtle, but significant changes in the condition of the patient. The employment of innovative treatment techniques is used to obtain the best outcome. The coordination of multiple treatment approaches simultaneously is needed to accomplish routine to complex treatment objectives. Critical assessment of treatment outcomes will be regularly performed. Assesses for and requests prosthetic/orthotic equipment as needed and is able to make modifications as necessary. Makes recommendations and referral to other medical specialties/services as needs are identified during ongoing assessment of this routine to complex patient population. Assists in the scheduling of patients according to the physical therapy treatment plan while coordinating with the treatment plans of other disciplines within the team and facility. Maintains a flexibility of schedule to allow for unscheduled patients, patient/team consultation and mentoring. Maintains consistent and timely documentation of patient encounters in the electronic medical record in accordance with accepted PT practice, facility and Rehabilitation Service policies and procedures. Participates in regular team meetings, verbal and written communication and consultation amongst team members in order to guide and evaluate the work of the multi-disciplinary general/orthopedic outpatient physical therapy program. Collaboration with the team is necessary to develop a cohesive treatment plan for this patient population. Assists in the care of patients other than those of the specialized area of outpatient orthopedics as caseload permits, or as the needs of the department dictate. Maintains a workload consistent with the standards established by the Physical Therapy Section and the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service. Develops and provides individualized clinical training experience for physical therapy students. Training experiences are designed to fulfill student educational and professional requirements. Student performance is evaluated in accordance with the American Physical Therapy Association and academic program guidelines. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.\nWork Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Available\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]