Physical Therapist

Indian Health Service; Thoreau (NM); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Paid holidays

Job summary

The Indian Health Service is seeking a Physical Therapist to provide compassionate care to American Indian and Alaska Native patients. This role involves managing the Physical Therapy department, ensuring quality evaluations and treatments, and promoting staff training.

Applicants must have a current Physical Therapist license and significant experience in patient care. The position offers competitive benefits and opportunities for professional growth in a mission-driven environment.

Qualifications

• Must possess a current, active, full, and unrestricted license as a Physical Therapist.
• 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education or specialized experience equivalent to GS-9.
• Experience in providing full-range direct patient care for all ages.

Responsibilities

• Manage and direct the Physical Therapy department.
• Provide quality physical-therapy evaluations and treatments.
• Promote training and development of staff.

Skills

Physical Therapy

Patient Care

Clinical Management

Budget Management

Training and Development

Education

Graduate or higher-level degree from an accredited program

Job description

Summary

Join the Indian Health Service (IHS) as a Physical Therapist and make a lasting impact. Provide compassionate, culturally grounded care to American Indian and Alaska Native patients, addressing the social and emotional needs that affect health. Work with a dedicated team to strengthen wellness, resilience, and community well‑being.

Enjoy competitive benefits and opportunities for professional growth in a mission‑driven career.

Duties

• Manage and direct the Physical Therapy department, including strategic planning, policy formulation, and budget management.
• Promote training and development needs of all direct‑care staff to ensure competency.
• Provide quality physical‑therapy evaluations and treatments to inpatient and outpatient patients of all ages.
• Offer expert professional consultation to department personnel and medical staff within the Service Unit.
• Plan and carry out a full range of physical‑therapy treatments.

Requirements

• Position is covered by Public Law 101‑630; applicants must not have been found guilty of or plead nolo contendere to certain crimes.
• Must obtain and maintain medical‑staff clinical privileges and license requirements; failure to maintain privileges may lead to adverse actions.
• U.S. citizenship is required; selective‑service registration required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• On‑call hours, standby duty, or rotating shifts (days, evenings, nights, weekends and holidays) may be required.
• Successful completion of federal background investigation and E‑Verify employment verification is mandatory.
• Financial suitability must be demonstrated; applicants with significant unresolved financial obligations may be deemed unsuitable.
• Two valid forms of REAL ID‑compliant identification are required prior to appointment.

Licensure

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

Education and Basic Requirements

• Graduate or higher‑level degree from a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)‑approved curriculum, including completion of required clinical placements.
• For current IHS employees, existing qualifications as of Sept. 2017 are considered met.

Minimum Qualifications

• GS‑11: 3 years of progressively higher‑level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or
  • One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS‑9 level, or
    • Determining objectives for a physical‑therapy treatment plan.
    • Developing comprehensive treatment plans that help patients achieve functional mobility.
    • Providing a full range of physical‑therapy techniques.
  • Combination of education and experience that fully meets the minimum qualifications (total 100 %).
• GS‑12: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower federal grade level, including
  • Providing full‑range direct patient care for all ages.
  • Implementing and controlling administrative and clinical functions of the department.
  • Mentoring program staff to ensure compliance.

Additional Information

Federal employees earn annual leave based on years of service; IHS may offer credit for direct‑related non‑federal experience or active‑duty military service.

Applicants are encouraged to submit transcripts or course lists for credentialing. Foreign education may be accepted with a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency.

Reasonable accommodation requests for disability covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 should be submitted with supporting documentation prior to assessments.

Benefits

Competitive salary, health insurance, retirement plan, paid holidays, and a mission‑driven work environment.