Janice Lozano
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides Physical Therapy services to Veterans and Service members. The VA is the largest healthcare system in the country and the single largest employer of Physical Therapists, with more than 3,100 Physical Therapists and 670 Physical Therapy Assistants on staff. The VA offers a comprehensive benefits package to its employees, including a stipend, no tuition, paid holidays, and sick leave. The VA also provides clinical training opportunities for students enrolled in Doctor of Physical Therapy and Physical Therapy Assistant programs. These programs allow students to gain hands-on experience in a healthcare setting and work with experienced PT staff.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Education | VA provides specialized education to prepare physical therapists and physical therapy assistants with professional skills and knowledge to become excellent clinicians. |
| Training | VA offers training programs for students at the college, university, and postgraduate levels. |
| Affiliations | Clinical trainees complete full-time affiliations lasting 6-16 weeks. |
| Technology | Students have access to innovative technologies for rehabilitation, including NeuroCom, dynamic EKSO skeleton, HydroWorx therapy pool, and more. |
| Staff Experience | Students can work with PT staff with an average of 12 years of clinical practice, many of whom are credentialed clinical instructors and board-certified specialists. |
| Employment | VA is one of the largest employers of Physical Therapists, employing over 3,100 Physical Therapists and 670 Physical Therapy Assistants. |
| Licensure | Qualification for licensure includes passing the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) and graduating from an accredited physical therapy education program. |
| Residency Programs | VA has the largest PT residency program in the country and offers stipends, no tuition, paid holidays, and leave. |
| Loan Forgiveness | VA residency programs are eligible sites for Public Service Loan Forgiveness after 120 student loan payments. |
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What You'll Learn
VA physical therapy clinical education program
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides Physical Therapy services to veterans and service members. Physical therapists (PTs) are healthcare professionals who diagnose and treat individuals with medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their ability to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives. PTs are supported by physical therapist assistants (PTAs) who provide treatment based on a PT plan of care.
The VA's commitment to education has resulted in the establishment of physical therapy residency programs. The VA has the largest PT residency program in the country and is scheduled to graduate 83 residents in the academic year. PTs are licensed healthcare professionals. Qualification for licensure includes passing the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE), administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. Another important qualification for licensure is graduation from a physical therapy education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) or a program that is deemed substantially equivalent to a CAPTE-accredited program.
The VA offers clinical training experiences for more than 20 entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy and Physical Therapy Assistant programs representing 15 colleges and universities across the nation. Clinical trainees complete full-time affiliations that range in duration from 6 to 16 weeks. Students within the program have access to a plethora of new, innovative technologies for rehabilitation, including NeuroCom and Bertec Computerized Dynamic Posturography, dynamic EKSO skeleton, Bioness and Walkaide electrical stimulation orthoses, HydroWorx therapy pool, and more. The physical therapy clinical education program aims to provide exceptional, specialized education to prepare physical therapists and physical therapy assistants with professional skills and knowledge to become excellent clinicians.
The VA also offers a Geriatric Physical Therapy Residency Program in Northern California. This program is designed to offer robust and comprehensive clinical learning across four practice settings. The residency faculty is composed of seasoned and passionate physical therapists who are highly versed in pre and post-professional education. The clinical training offered through this program will help the resident prepare for Geriatric Clinical Specialist (GCS) certification from the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS). The VA Northern California Health Care System employs the residents full-time for the year-long program. Clinical training consists of managing caseloads involving older adults, weekly mentoring with experienced clinical staff, and a didactic curriculum.
The VA also offers an Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency Program in Greater Los Angeles. This program is accredited by the American Board of Physical Therapy and Residency Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE) as a post-professional physical therapy program in Orthopedic Physical Therapy, funded by the Veterans Affairs Office of Academic Affiliations (OAA). Residents are fully employed for this year-long residency program, which offers 200+ hours of 1:1 mentoring with clinical faculty, 300+ hours of learning activities, while independently managing a caseload of patients. Education is tailored to the specific learning needs of a resident to ensure success in the program and beyond.
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VA physical therapy residency programs
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides Physical Therapy services to veterans and service members. The VA has established physical therapy residency programs as part of its commitment to education. VA residency programs offer comprehensive clinical learning across various specialty areas, including geriatric, orthopedic, and neurologic physical therapy.
One example is the VA Northern California Health Care System Geriatric Residency Program, which provides advanced, evidence-based education in geriatric physical therapy. The program offers clinical training in managing caseloads involving older adults, weekly mentoring with experienced clinical staff, and a didactic curriculum. The Greater Los Angeles VA Orthopedic Residency Program (GLAVAORP), in partnership with California State University Northridge (CSUN), offers a year-long advanced practice residency in orthopedic physical therapy. Residents receive over 200 hours of 1:1 mentoring with clinical faculty, 300+ hours of learning activities, and the opportunity to independently manage a caseload of patients.
The VA also offers internships and fellowships for students in Doctor of Physical Therapy and Physical Therapy Assistant programs. For example, the VA Minneapolis Healthcare Physical Therapy Clinical Education Program provides students with access to innovative technologies for rehabilitation and experienced PT staff. Clinical trainees can complete full-time affiliations ranging from 6 to 16 weeks in duration.
To be eligible for VA physical therapy residency programs, applicants must meet specific requirements, including English language proficiency and licensure to practice PT in the United States or plans to obtain licensure prior to the residency start date. Applicants must also comply with application and employment requirements, such as COVID-19 vaccination, random drug testing, and background investigations.
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Qualifications for VA physical therapist licensure
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides Physical Therapy services to veterans and service members. Physical therapists (PTs) are healthcare professionals who diagnose and treat individuals with medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their movement and ability to perform functional activities in their daily lives. PTs are supported by Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs) who provide treatment based on a PT plan of care.
To qualify for licensure as a Physical Therapist, an individual must:
- Pass the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE), administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy.
- Graduate from a physical therapy education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) or a program that is deemed substantially equivalent to a CAPTE-accredited program.
- Complete a transitional program in physical therapy recognized by the Board.
- Have at least three years of post-licensure active practice with evidence of fifteen contact hours of continuing education in medical screening or differential diagnosis, including passage of a post-course examination.
- Complete a Doctor of Physical Therapy program approved by the American Physical Therapy Association.
The VA has established physical therapy residency programs to further its commitment to education. It is the largest PT residency program in the country, with over 3,100 physical therapists and 670 physical therapy assistants. The VA also provides clinical education programs that offer specialized education to prepare physical therapists and physical therapy assistants with the professional skills and knowledge to become excellent clinicians.
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VA physical therapy employment opportunities
The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides Physical Therapy services to veterans and service members. VA is one of the largest employers of Physical Therapists, employing more than 3,100 Physical Therapists and an additional 670 Physical Therapy Assistants. The VA offers a wide range of challenging opportunities for Physical Therapists and is always looking for new graduates and experienced professionals to join their team.
Physical Therapists at the VA are licensed healthcare professionals who diagnose and treat individuals with medical problems or health-related conditions that limit their ability to move and perform functional activities. They are key members of collaborative teams in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) systems of care models, such as Polytrauma, Spinal Cord Injury, Pain Management, and Amputee Systems of Care.
The VA offers a competitive salary, flexible schedules, and robust insurance options. They also provide loan repayment, scholarships, and continuing education resources to support their employees' development and help them achieve their career goals.
The VA has established physical therapy residency programs and clinical education programs to provide specialized training and education to Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants. The clinical education program offers full-time affiliations ranging from 6 to 16 weeks, where trainees work with experienced PT staff and gain access to innovative technologies for rehabilitation.
Overall, the VA provides a supportive environment and a meaningful career opportunity for Physical Therapists, where they can serve those who have served their country and make a positive impact on the lives of veterans.
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Benefits of working as a physical therapist for the VA
The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides Physical Therapy services to veterans and service members. Here are some benefits of working as a physical therapist for the VA:
Competitive salaries and benefits
The VA offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including flexible schedules and robust insurance options. As the largest healthcare system in the nation and the single largest employer of physical therapists, the VA offers access to a wide range of challenging opportunities across the continuum of care.
Opportunity to serve those who served
One of the key aspects of being a physical therapist for the VA is the opportunity to serve those who served the country. This means putting veterans first and giving back through providing care to those who have sacrificed for the nation.
Large patient reach
In 2023, Physical Therapists at the VA treated over 829,000 unique patients, accounting for approximately 3.88 million total encounters. The VA serves over 9 million veterans in 1,200+ healthcare facilities across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the US territories. This provides physical therapists with a wide reach and the opportunity to make a significant impact on the health and well-being of a large number of people.
Strong educational foundation
The VA has a strong commitment to education, as evidenced by the establishment of physical therapy residency programs. In fact, the VA has the largest PT residency program in the country and is dedicated to graduating a significant number of residents each academic year. This provides an excellent foundation for physical therapists to enhance their knowledge and skills through ongoing learning and development opportunities.
Collaboration and specialisation
Physical therapists at the VA are key members of collaborative teams within the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) systems of care models. This allows for specialisation in areas such as geriatric, neurologic, and orthopedic physical therapy, and the opportunity to work alongside diverse and highly trained PT staff.
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Frequently asked questions
VA hospitals do pay student clinical physical therapy. The VA is the single largest employer of Physical Therapists, employing more than 3,100 Physical Therapists and an additional 670 Physical Therapy Assistants.
To get paid as a student physical therapist at a VA hospital, you must be a U.S. citizen, be enrolled in a CAPTE-accredited physical therapy program, and have an unrestricted license to practice PT in the United States.
Student physical therapists at VA hospitals have access to innovative technologies for rehabilitation, work with experienced PT staff, and have the opportunity to serve veterans and make a positive impact on their lives.
You can apply through the Residency and Fellowship Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (RF-PTCAS). Current DPT students are eligible to apply, provided they obtain a license before the program starts.
