Physical Therapist

Veterans Health Administration (DOVA)

Albuquerque (NM)

On-site

USD 93,000 - 128,000

Full time

5 days ago

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Job summary

New Mexico VA Health Care System is seeking a Physical Therapist in the SCI/D Care Line to provide independent assessments and treatment planning for adults with spinal cord injury, across outpatient and inpatient clinics. The role includes specialized equipment prescription and training, home health PT, and clinical telehealth interventions as needed.

The PT will assess function using standardized tools, develop goal-directed treatment plans, and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to

Qualifications

Ability to independently evaluate and treat patients with SCI/D
Experience with adaptive equipment for SCI/D
Understanding of geriatric and adult SCI/D care standards

Responsibilities

Examinations and treatment planning for geriatric and adult SCI/D patients
Prescribe and train on specialty equipment for SCI/D populations
Provide SCI Home Care PT via home visits and telehealth where appropriate
Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to optimize Veteran outcomes

Skills

Autonomous clinical decisions

PT assessments & treatment planning

Home care & telehealth

Education

Doctorate in Physical Therapy

CAPTE-accredited program

Tools

SCI/D specialty equipment

Clinical Video Telehealth

Job description

Summary

This position is located in the SCI Therapy Department of the SCI/D Care Line at the New Mexico VA Health Care System (NMV AHCS). Position includes services to the outpatient, and in-patient Spinal Cord Injury Clinics. The SCI PT at this grade level practices independently and is responsible for the assessment of functional and occupational roles using standardized tools.

Overview

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Accepting applications
This job will close when we have received 50 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Albuquerque, NM
1 vacancy
No matching locations found.
Work site options

Telework eligible: No

Remote job: No

Relocation expenses reimbursed: No

Salary: $93,153 – $128,370 per year

Pay scale & grade: GS 11 – 12

Work schedule: Full-time

Appointment type: Permanent

Occupation and job series: 0633 Physical Therapist

Supervisory status: No

Federal service type: This job is in the Excepted Service

Represented by a union: No

Drug test: Yes

Security clearance: Not Required

Position sensitivity and risk: Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Background check type: Credentialing, Suitability/Fitness

Financial disclosure required: No. Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.

Announcement number: CBSX-13100793-27-SB

Control number: 890843700

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. Area of Consideration – Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order: 1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility. 2. All other VA employees. 3. Current permanent Federal employees of other agencies. 4. All other applicants. Note: Veterans’ Preference is not applicable to VA employees or employees of other Federal agencies.

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Duties

CLINICAL DUTIES

Demonstrates expertise in examining, evaluating, developing, and implementing treatment programs for geriatric adult and adult patients with complex spinal cord injury problems or diseases, and concurrent medical conditions and co‑morbidities based on the current evidence and best practices for client management.
This physical therapist has extensive knowledge, experience and skill in the prescription, fitting, and training in the use of specialty equipment utilized by this patient population.
This includes assistive technology, mobility devices for gait and wheeled mobility, lifts and lift systems, devices for activities of daily living and other orthotics/prosthetic devices specific to the SCI/D population.
Ability to perform evaluations and treatment interventions in the therapy pool to improve impairments and functional limitations. Demonstrates knowledge of water safety for providing a safe environment.
The physical therapist provides SCI Home Care physical therapy as needed, through home visits, video to home evaluations/treatments and Clinical Video Telehealth interventions and team meetings.
Independently uses standard and non‑standard methods for evaluating issues in the home environment to identify potential problems and baseline of function.
Independently develops and implements appropriate treatment plans and goals to increase patient safety and level of independence.
Determines appropriate home modifications needed to increase patient safety and level of independence. Modifications may include recommendations for the installation of ramps, grab bars, widening of door frames, remodeling bathrooms and kitchens for wheelchair accessibility, movement of furniture for better room accessibility, and wheelchair modifications.
Monitors patient’s tolerance for therapeutic procedures, including tolerance for prescribed adaptive equipment. Recognizes rates of progress, signs of altered physical or mental of patient, or undesired secondary effects of treatment.
Based on findings from a thorough examination and evaluation, the incumbent plans an effective goal‑directed treatment program that is appropriate and indicated for the impairment, functional limitation and/or disability of the client being treated. Implements the treatment program and modifies it as needed to achieve goals.
Participates on clinical interdisciplinary teams/clinics to provide direct care, input, and supportive information necessary for optimal outcomes in Veteran care.

EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES

The clinician enhances their knowledge and skill in SCI/D by participating in continuing professional development.
Completes all required VA annual mandatory training. Attends mandatory in‑service training as required by VA, SCI/D Care Line and OT policies and Directives.
Instructs patients on what is expected of them to achieve the desired treatment objectives and goal. Educates family members concerning patient’s rehabilitation status, limitations, and prognosis.
Provides in‑services to the SCI staff and other hospital personnel on SCI PT evaluation and treatment procedures.
Arranges and serves to the SCI staff in‑service training programs. Participates in the supervision and clinical instruction of PT interns.

ACCOUNTABILITY

Determines objectives and sets priorities. Accepts responsibility for mistakes. Exhibits VA core values of Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence (I CARE). Notifies supervisor of significant program error, dissatisfaction customer, or an perceived violations of law or official wrongdoing including fraud, waste, abuse of authority, and violations of VA core values.
Ensures all certifications, licenses, competencies, and training requirements are current with no lapses.
Assess compliance with Joint Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARP), Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), and other program review criteria that governs service and ensures requirements are in place and functioning properly.

SAFETY AND INFECTION CONTROL

Monitors equipment used by the patients to ensure the equipment is functioning maximally and properly calibrated to give accurate measures and ensure patient safety.
Maintains clinic area and equipment in a safe manner in accordance with safety and infection control policies, Joint Commission and CARF standards, and other relevant regulatory policies.
Demonstrates infection control practices for disease prevention, i.e., handwashing, use and reprocessing of Reusable Medical Equipment (RME), and standard precautions/isolation procedures.

Work Schedule: Monday‑Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 000000

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

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.
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.

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: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:
(1) Bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist.
OR
(2) Master’s degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist.
OR
(3) Doctorate degree in physical therapy.
NOTE: Prior to 1995 the terminal degree for PT’s was either a bachelors or master’s degree. In 1995 CAPTE accredited all baccalaureate, master’s, and Doctor of Physical Therapy terminal degree programs. Effective 2002, CAPTE changed its scope of accrediting activities of PT education programs to include only those programs that culminate in post‑baccalaureate degrees(eliminating the baccalaureate degree). Effective 2015, professional physical therapy education programs have only offered the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree to all new students.
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.
(4) Foreign Graduates. Graduates of foreign physical therapy programs meet the requirements in subparagraph 3b 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.
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.
Loss of Credential.A PT who fails to maintain the required license must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment. At the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may be reassigned to another occupation, if qualified, and if a placement opportunity exists.

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).

Grandfathering Provision

All licensed PTs employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:

(1) Employees grandfathered into the GS‑0633 occupational series as PTs may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation.
(2) PTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of this qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of this standard.
(3) PTs initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration, meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard and must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. (4) If PTs who are grandfathered under this provision leave the occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.

Grade Determinations

++GS‑11++ Education, Experience, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements.

++GS‑12++ Physical Therapist (Full Performance Level)
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:

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.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

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: Regular and recurring physical exertion in standing, walking, bending, reaching, and sitting should be anticipated routinely. Light to heavy lifting may be required at times. Work discharge may require physical health, unhindered use of arms and legs, and good visual and auditory acuity.

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/.

Additional information

During the application process you may have an option to opt‑in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health‑related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant’s criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full‑time, part‑time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

Required documents

License

License
Long‑form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
Transcript

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF‑50s (current/former Federal employees), etc.

Cover Letter
DD‑214/ Statement of Service
Disability Letter (VA)
License
Long‑form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
SF‑50/ Notification of Personnel Action
Transcript

Veterans’ Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10‑point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF‑15 “Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference” with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans’ Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets – Veterans – Job Seekers – Veterans’ Preference.

Veterans’ preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

Agency contact information

Shannon Blemberg

619‑733‑5764

shannon.blemberg@va.gov

Raymond G Murphy Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center

1501 San Pedro Drive, Southeast

Albuquerque, NM 87108

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community‑based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA‑leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full‑ and part‑time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home‑based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

Fair and transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

Required Documents

License

License
Long‑form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
Transcript

Cover Letter
DD‑214/ Statement of Service
Disability Letter (VA)
License
Long‑form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
SF‑50/ Notification of Personnel Action
Transcript

Veterans’ preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

Agency contact information

Shannon Blemberg

619‑733‑5764

shannon.blemberg@va.gov

Raymond G Murphy Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center

1501 San Pedro Drive, Southeast

Albuquerque, NM 87108

Next steps

Fair and transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

Criminal history inquiries Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Financial suitability New employee probationary period Privacy Act Reasonable accommodation policy Selective Service Signature and false statements Social security number request

Required Documents

License