Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist)- Patient Aligned Care Team

Summary

The Physical Therapist evaluates the patients' present functional levels and disabilities. Ages of patients served at this facility range from the young adult age 20-30, middle aged patients age 30-40, to the elderly or geriatric patient age 60 and older.There is great variance in the functional needs of patients. Every effort will be made to modify treatment so that optimal care can be provided for each patient referred for physical medicine and rehabilitation services.

Duties

• NOTE: All applicants that previously applied to the cancelled VIN 13039872 must reapply to this vacancy to receive consideration. The Physical Therapist (PT) primary function is to provide direct patient care at the Bruce W. Carter VA Medical Center for Primary Care PACT. The PT demonstrates a high degree of independence and professional judgment in planning and executing treatment programs to meet routine to complex treatment objectives for the Primary care and general outpatient physical therapy population. The incumbent independently evaluates and assesses patients self-referred through direct patient referral to determine the treatment course to be followed. Duties may include but are not limited to: Performing specialized tests and measurements of relevant body systems using various methods including specific methods specialized for the Primary care and general outpatient populations. Understanding medical screening for direct access provision of PT services. Performing and interpreting results of tests and measurements of the patient's condition for use in preparing a treatment plan, modifying a treatment plan, and evaluating results of treatment. Demonstrating advanced and continuously growing skill in the area of Primary care and general outpatient patient population evaluation including the use of specialized outcome measures. Exercising originality in solving problems not covered by this guide, makes innovative adaptations of the clinical procedures herein to meet the complex and highly varying needs of the general/musculoskeletal outpatient population and advises all other health care team members and students in this regard. Responsible for making autonomous clinical decisions in a Direct Access environment. This includes ability to independently evaluate and treat patients who seek physical therapy services Providing treatment to patients with the diagnoses of upper and lower extremity orthopedic surgery; degenerative conditions of the spine including spinal stenosis, spondylosis, and spondylolisthesis; mild to severely impaired patients with stroke and other brain injury; musculoskeletal disorders; central and peripheral neurological diagnoses; and cardio/pulmonary conditions status post-surgery or medical treatment. Establishing meaningful, realistic ad measurable therapeutic goals and designs a treatment plan to meet the goals established in the most efficient manner. Completes appropriately timed reevaluations for the patients and modifies the goals based on the information gained by reevaluation. Communicates effectively with medical providers as needed. Demonstrating advanced knowledge and expert skill to perform and interpret specialized procedures and tests in evaluating the treatment outcomes in primary care PT populations (e.g. comprehensive multisystem assessments beyond the musculoskeletal system including cardiopulmonary, integument, neurologic, lymphatic, pain and function). Advanced ability to incorporate relevant findings from laboratory tests, pulmonary function tests, imaging and other medical tests in the comprehensive management of the PACT PT population. Providing physical therapy on VA supported virtual platforms as well as face to face interventions. Interacting with all stakeholders in a courteous, respectful and helpful manner actively supporting the Mission and Vision of the Miami V AHCS and PMR. Responsible for patient confidentiality, HIPPA and cyber security regulations with respect to patient information in compliance with the Medical Center's "Patient Rights and Responsibilities". Serves as a resource person to the Community and/or the Facility in matters related to Primary care PACT, the delivery of health care, and the needs of the veteran population. In addition, the therapist is responsible for his/her own professional development, keeping current with treatment techniques as well as licensure. Maybe assigned to all program areas which are covered by the Service and provide professional, independent physical therapy services in the assigned area. The therapist is responsible for maintaining comprehensive knowledge and skills for each therapy area Compressed/Flexible: May be authorized based on the needs of the department Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 0700-1630(Note: Work schedules are determined and approved by the supervisor. The incumbent may be required to work various shifts on a permanent or temporary basis based on facility/patient care needs).

Qualifications

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: Be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a). Education and/or Experience-Transcripts Required - The individual must meet at least one of the following requirements below: Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist.-OR- Master's Degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist.-OR- Doctorate degree in physical therapy. PLEASE NOTE: Individuals must be a graduate of a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredited college or university. State Licensure. Candidates must possess a full, current, and unrestricted state license to practice physical therapy in a state, territory or Commonwealth of the United States (i.e. Puerto Rico), or in the District of Columbia. 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 Grade Determinations GS- 13 Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist) 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- Board Certification in the specialty area recognized by the ABPTS (must provide copy); -or- Completion of a fellowship program (must provide proof of completion); -or- An additional advanced degree in a related field. In addition, you must also demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 1. Advanced knowledge and expert skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in a specialized treatment area of physical therapy. 2. 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. 3. Ability to teach and mentor medical center staff in a specialized content area of physical 10 therapy. 4. Ability to guide the work of a multi-disciplinary team in a specialized content area of physical therapy. 5. Advanced knowledge and expert skill to perform and interpret specialized procedures and tests in evaluating the treatment outcomes in the assigned specialty content area Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/OHRM/QualificationStandards/HT38/0633-PhysicalTherapist.pdf The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 pounds or over); light carrying (under 15 pounds); straight pushing (.5 hours); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking (.5 hours); standing (.5 hours); crawling (.5 hours); kneeling (.5 hours); repeated bending (1 hour); climbing, legs only (.5 hours); climbing, use of legs and arms; operation of crane, truck, tractor or motor vehicle; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; specific visual requirement (corrective lenses okay); both eyes required; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid may be permitted); mental and emotional stability.

Requirements

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

How to apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/09/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13052397. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.