Entry Level Physical Therapy Apprentice Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Supervisory Physical Therapist responsible for leading physical therapy and occupational therapy staff within Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Therapy Services, coordinating daily clinical operations, staffing, training, competencies, performance, quality, safety, and regulatory compliance. Ensures evidence-based care, supports program improvement, manages workload and coverage, resolves staff concerns, and collaborates with leadership to meet service and VHA goals.

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:
  • 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.
  • 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. The Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT) is a non-profit organization created to assist the United States (U.S.) Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly INS) and U.S. state licensing authorities by evaluating the credentials of Foreign Educated Physical Therapists (FEPTs) who wish to immigrate and work in the U.S. Although the licensing of physical therapists in the U.S. is a right and responsibility of each jurisdiction, foreign educated individuals must undergo an educational credentials assessment for substantial equivalency to the first professional degree in the US. The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) is committed to protect the public and to provide leadership within the field and practice of physical therapy. FSBPT's Foreign Educated Standards Committee has developed standards that represent "best practices" in evaluation services. The Credentials Evaluation Standards were developed with input from the physical therapy credentialing agencies that are licensed to use FSBPT's Coursework Tool.
  • 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.
• 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.
  • NOTE. Individuals who have or have had multiple licenses and had any such license revoked for professional misconduct, professional incompetency or substandard care, or who surrendered such license after receiving written notice of potential termination of such license by the state for professional misconduct, professional incompetence, or substandard care, are not eligible for appointment to the position unless such revoked or surrendered license is fully restored (38 U.S.C 7402(f)). Effective November 30, 1999, this is a requirement for employment. This requirement does not apply to licensed physical therapists on VA rolls as of November 30, 1999, provided the individual maintains a continuous appointment and is not disqualified for employment by any subsequent revocations or voluntary surrenders of State license, registration or certification.

Grade Determinations: GS- 13, Supervisory Physical Therapist

• Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  • Knowledge of contemporary physical therapy across multiple areas of practice, and the demonstrated ability to apply this knowledge to provide clinical guidance to Staff PTs within the department.
  • Knowledge of human resources administration, including such functions as the ability to interview and select qualified applicants, monitor and evaluate performance, and maintain effective labor management relations within scope of responsibility.
  • Ability to effectively supervise, direct, and manage a physical therapy staff.
  • Skill in forging positive interpersonal relationships and conflict resolution.
  • Ability to analyze clinically appropriate data effectively to optimize quality, performance, and productivity within the section.
  • Ability to set priorities, delegate tasks, and solve problems in order to meet multiple deadlines and identify/address organizational problems.
  • Ability to manage advocacy roles and planning activities within the VA and the greater rehabilitation community.

Preferred Experience:

1. Minimum of 3-5 years of clinical practice as a licensed Physical or Occupational Therapist, with demonstrated advanced competency in evaluation and treatment planning.
2. Prior supervisory or team-lead experience in a hospital, multi-clinic network, or large healthcare system.
3. Experience overseeing day-to-day clinical operations, including staffing, productivity management, and patient-flow coordination.
4. Proven ability to mentor, coach, and develop clinicians, including new graduates and students.
5. Familiarity with performance management, competency assessment, and supporting staff through skill development.
6. Experience collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, including nursing, physicians, case management, and rehab leadership.
7. Strong understanding of regulatory standards (e.g., Joint Commission, CMS, state practice acts) and documentation compliance requirements.
8. Background in program development, quality improvement initiatives, or clinical process optimization.
9. Demonstrated leadership in implementing evidence-based practice and supporting clinical education.
10. Experience with electronic medical records and data-driven decision-making for scheduling, outcomes tracking, and productivity management.
11. Ability to foster a positive team culture focused on patient-centered care, staff engagement, and continuous improvement.
12. Prior experience providing care in diverse clinical settings such as acute care, inpatient rehab, outpatient, or specialty programs.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
Physical Requirements: Work includes regular and demanding physical exertion in standing, bending, kneeling, reaching, gripping, and walking. Moderate to heavy lifting is required to assist patients and operate equipment. Sitting is required in meetings and for conducting administrative work. Above average agility may be desirable in defending oneself (or others) against physical attack/abuse. Work requires physical health, normal 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/.
Note: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.
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.Employment Type: OTHER