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Posted: February 12, 2026 (1 day ago)

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Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist) - Orthopedic

Veterans Health Administration

Department of Veterans Affairs

Fresh

Salary

$110,019 - $143,027

per year

Closes

February 20, 2026More VA jobs →

GS-12 Pay Grade

Base salary range: $74,441 - $96,770

Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-11. Advanced degree + significant experience.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This job is for an advanced physical therapist specializing in orthopedic care at a VA hospital in Columbia, Missouri, where you'll treat veterans with bone and joint issues, guide teams, and mentor other staff on specialized treatments.

It's ideal for experienced therapists who enjoy leading in a clinical setting and helping patients recover mobility.

The role offers benefits like student loan repayment up to $200,000 for eligible candidates.

Key Requirements

  • U.S. citizenship (or non-citizen appointment under VA policy)
  • Full, current, and unrestricted license to practice physical therapy in a U.S. state, territory, or D.C.
  • Proficiency in written and spoken English
  • One of: Bachelor's in Physical Therapy + 5 years experience, Master's + 2 years experience, or Doctorate in Physical Therapy
  • One year of progressively complex experience equivalent to GS-12 level
  • At least 2,000 hours of clinical practice in orthopedics within the past 2-5 years, or ABPTS board certification in orthopedics, or completion of a fellowship, or advanced degree in a related field
  • Demonstrated KSAs: advanced skills in specialized orthopedic interventions, consulting/mentoring staff, guiding multidisciplinary teams, and performing/interpreting specialized tests

Full Job Description

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program.

You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment.

Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application.

Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

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/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.

(2) Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. (3) Doctorate degree in physical therapy. Note: Foreign Graduates.

Graduates of foreign physical therapy programs meet the requirements in subparagraph 2b if they have a full unrestricted and current license to practice physical therapy in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or in the District of Columbia.

Any PT who has, or has ever had, any license(s) revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with regulations issued by the Under Secretary for Health or designee.

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.

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.

See Chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part 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).

Grade Determinations: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, the candidate must have one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level and one of the following to qualify for GS- 13 Physical Therapist.

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; or Completion of a fellowship program; or An additional advanced degree in a related field.

Important Note: In addition to the experience above, the candidate RESUME must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) or attach completed KSAs as separate Document to your resume: Advanced knowledge and expert skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in a specialized treatment area of physical therapy.

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.

Ability to teach and mentor medical center staff in a specialized content area of physical therapy.

Ability to guide the work of a multi-disciplinary team in a specialized content area of physical therapy.

Advanced knowledge and expert skill to perform and interpret specialized procedures and tests in evaluating the treatment outcomes in the assigned specialty content area.

Preferred Experience: Three years experience, including consistent and confident use of telehealth and chronic pain expertise. A chronic pain specialty training or certificate is also preferred.

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-13.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13.

Physical Requirements: Occasional lifting, 20-50 pounds, moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds, straight pulling, pulling hand over hand, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking, standing, repeated bending, both legs required, ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing (aid permitted), far vision correctable in one eye to 20/50 and to 20/100 in the other.

Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination. Major Duties:

VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY This position is for a Physical Therapist, Orthopedic Clinical Specialist within the Physical Therapy Department within Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&R) at the Truman VA Medical Center in Columbia, MO.

The duties of this position include but are not limited to: Providing assessment and treatment interventions to outpatients received through healthcare provider referrals as well as patient self-referrals Makes autonomous clinical decisions in a Direct Access environment Perform and interpret specialized evaluative procedures and tests in orthopedic conditions Develop, coordinate, and implement highly specialized treatment programs within his/her assigned clinic Demonstrate advanced manual therapy skills especially for management of acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions including but not limited to: sprains, degenerative disease of aging spine, rotator cuff disorders, sciatic, hip, and knee conditions Utilize appropriate screening and evaluation techniques required to appropriately provide and direct patient care Maintains timely data input utilizing care plans, initial assessments and/or specialty protocols as part of an ongoing process in coordination with other key interdisciplinary staff Exercise initiative, discretion, adaptability, and sound professional judgement at all times Demonstrate the ability to develop and coordinate clinical education programs with evidence of advanced experience in clinical education Provide in-service and clinical training programs as assigned by supervisor Develop and provide timely reports to the supervisor and others Complete encounter information in accordance with Truman VA Medical Center Guidelines Perform competent written documentation of initial examinations, progress notes, and discharge summaries Perform other duties as assigned Work Schedule: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Friday; 4 10 hours shifts Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 000000 Physical Therapist (Clinical Specialist) GS-0633-13 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.

Contact VISN15EDRP@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

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Posted on USAJOBS: 2/12/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 2/13/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: CBSS-12887584-26-RG