Physical Therapist

Job Summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Physical Therapist for the Clinical Video TeleRehab Program at the Dallas - Bonham and Fort Worth campuses of the VA North Texas Health Care System (VANTHCS) in Dallas, TX. This position is open until filled, with the first cut-off date for applications on 06/18/2026. Additional applications will be referred as needed.

Qualifications

Applicants who are on track to complete educational or certification/licensure requirements are encouraged to apply and may be tentatively selected. Final hiring is contingent upon meeting all requirements. For those nearing completion, provide detailed information in your application narrative.

Basic Requirements

• Citizenship: U.S. citizenship is required, with exceptions for non-citizens if qualified citizens cannot be recruited per VA policy.
• English Proficiency: Must be proficient in written and spoken English for direct patient-care roles.
• Education and Experience: Meet one of the following:
  • Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressive independent experience.
  • Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressive independent experience.
  • Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy.
  Note: Prior to 1995, degrees could be Bachelor's or Master's. CAPTE accreditation standards have evolved, with current programs exclusively offering the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. The program must be accredited by CAPTE.
• Licensure: Hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice physical therapy in a U.S. State, Territory, or the District of Columbia. Non-licensed individuals meeting basic requirements may receive a temporary appointment as a graduate PT (GS-11) for up to two years, requiring supervision by a licensed PT. Failure to obtain licensure during this period may result in termination. Grandfathering provisions may apply to current VHA employees.

Grade Determinations

• GS-11: Basic requirements met. Responsible for assessment and treatment intervention, planning and modifying treatment based on patient response. May serve in general areas or as the sole PT in an outpatient clinic. Licensed PTs may oversee Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs). Non-licensed PTs must practice under close supervision.
• GS-12: In addition to basic requirements, requires one year of experience equivalent to GS-11, a valid unrestricted state license, and demonstrated KSAs including:
  • Autonomous clinical decision-making in a Direct Access environment.
  • Skill in performing examinations and evaluations across various body systems, considering psychosocial and environmental factors.
  • Ability to interpret findings, select appropriate tests, and integrate them into the plan of care.
  • Ability to establish a PT diagnosis and identify appropriate intervention or referral.
  • Ability to determine prognosis and set clinically appropriate treatment goals.
  • Ability to provide clinical oversight of PTAs and students.
  Assignment: Independently provide assessment and treatment to inpatients and outpatients. Perform examinations and evaluations, interpret findings, and develop plans of care. Establish diagnoses, identify interventions, and determine prognosis. Supervise PTAs and students.

Preferred Experience

• Experience performing comprehensive evaluations and assessments via telehealth platforms.
• Experience in clinical video telehealth, traumatic brain injuries, polytrauma, and amputee settings.
• Experience, skills, and knowledge in outpatient therapeutic techniques (ortho, vision, neuro, pain management, pre/post-surgical care, upper extremity disorders, cognitive and mental health disorders, etc.).
• Experience interpreting findings from examinations, diagnostic studies, and/or medical tests, selecting appropriate clinical tests and measures, including evidence-based data and norms.
• Experience supervising physical therapy assistants and students.
• 2 years of experience in a rehab setting (Outpatient/Inpatients).

Duties

• GS 11/12: Clinical Functions: Patient Care
  • Performs patient evaluations, coordinating schedules with interdisciplinary team members.
  • Guided by differential and movement diagnoses, performs examinations and evaluations considering various body systems and factors.
  • Reviews medical records to interpret findings and selects appropriate clinical tests and measures.
  • Integrates findings into the physical therapy plan of care using evidence-based data and norms.
  • Establishes a diagnosis and identifies appropriate interventions or referrals.
  • Determines prognosis, collaborates with patients on goals, and optimizes outcomes.
  • Selects appropriate equipment (assistive technology, mobility devices, orthotics/prosthetics).
  Treatment Implementation:
  • Develops and implements comprehensive patient treatment plans with objective, measurable goals in collaboration with the patient and family.
  • Modifies treatment plans based on patient response and progress towards goals.
  • Documents treatment progression and modifications.
  • Demonstrates understanding of selective therapeutic techniques and modalities.
  • May serve as a resource to less experienced therapists.
  • Possesses knowledge of the latest Telehealth technology.
  • Develops Home Programs for patients and instructs significant others on their use.
  Administrative Functions:
  • Assists in receiving and triaging patient referrals and consults.
  • Manages and coordinates schedules and programs based on patient caseload.
  • Understands and adheres to department and facility procedures.
  • Identifies, collects, and analyzes patient care information for performance evaluation and process improvement.
  • Participates in Process Improvement activities related to CVT, PM&R, and VANTHCS.
  • Participates in updating evaluation forms and protocols.
  • Delegates tasks to appropriate support personnel.
  • Assists in ordering supplies and maintaining inventory.
  • Reports safety hazards and faulty equipment.

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. Telework is not available.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives

Not Authorized

Key skills/competency

Physical Therapy, Patient Evaluation, Treatment Planning, Telehealth, Clinical Decision Making, Musculoskeletal, Neuromuscular, Rehabilitation, Patient Care, VA Healthcare System