Summary

The Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) is assigned the responsibilities of providing physical therapy services - within their scope of practice and competence - to outpatients at the Valley Coastal bend Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC). The PTA may provide individual as well as group treatment - education - and training. ****This job announcement has been extended.****

Qualifications

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
• Individuals must meet at least one of the requirements below: 1
• Associate degree from an accredited community college - junior college - college or university in a physical therapy assistant education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
• OR 2
• Graduate of foreign physical therapy assistant degree programs that meet the educational requirement and have successfully passed the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) for PTAs
• OR 3
• Graduate of military physical therapy assistant programs that meet the educational requirement and have successfully passed the NPTE for PTAs
• Licensure
• Current - full - active and unrestricted license as a PTA in a State - Territory or Commonwealth (i.e
• Puerto Rico) of the United States - or District of Columbia
• English Language Proficiency
• PTA candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• 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: Physical Therapy Assistant - GS-8 Experience
• One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade
• In addition to the basic requirements - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: a) Ability to independently implement treatment plan using knowledge of techniques related to the patient's disability and needs
• (b) Ability to independently provide varied and multifaceted physical therapy interventions based on the established care plan (e.g. - therapeutic exercise - balance - body mechanics - flexibility - strength - gait training - neuromotor development - physical agents - functional training - etc.)
• (c) Knowledge of physical therapy data collection and assessment techniques in order to perform specific interventions and to monitor and capture progress of the patient/client
• (d) Ability to instruct patient on varied interventions to provide materials to enhance compliance with home programs.(e) Ability to modify treatment techniques based on the learning needs and perceptions of the patient
• (f) Ability to identify critical changes (e.g
• vital signs - pain - mobility and alertness) in patient conditions to determine their medical and functional status.(g) Ability to work with PTs and other interdisciplinary healthcare team members to evaluate patient information for planning - modifying and coordinating treatment programs and discharge planning
• Preferred Experience: 5 years of experience as a PTA in an outpatient setting preferred Associate degree from accredited community college - junior college - college or university in a PTA education program The ability to work - within the scope of a PTA - with a high degree of autonomy Experience with a general outpatient patient populace-orthopedic - neurological - debility etc
• Experienced in communicating with key staff and family in caring for patients
• 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-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-8. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary
• Some work may require movement between offices - hospitals - warehouses - and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work
• Work may also require walking/standing - in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site
• Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds
• Complies with all safety/fire prevention rules/regulations - using protective equipment when required and provided
• Promptly reports all accidents and notifies supervisor of unsafe/unhealthful conditions in the workplace
• Attends scheduled training sessions and participates in facility or service level safety promotions as directed by supervisor
• Knows fire drill and emergency plans for work area - including location of all emergency fire equipment.

Duties

• VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY The physical therapy assistant diagnoses and conditions of patients assigned is variable - and can include - but is not limited to: post op orthopedics - musculoskeletal disorders - acute and chronic pain - neurological and rheumatic conditions - amputees - issues associated with aging - traumatic brain injury
• Many patients may also have psychiatric and psycho-social issues
• The PTA provides treatment that promotes the prevention - remediation - and rehabilitation of acute and chronic physical dysfunction
• The PTA administers and monitors therapeutic interventions based on goals formulated by a Licensed Physical Therapist - but must be able to carry out a general treatment plan without the direct involvement of the Physical Therapist
• Establishes and maintains contact with other key staff involved in patient care via written - telephone and personal communication on regular basis at VA Medical Center and VISN level
• Receives and interprets requests or instructions for procedures from the physical therapist
• Plans and implements specialized treatment programs and applies physical therapy procedures to patients under the general supervision of a physical therapist
• Employee may carry out or oversee the work of lower graded assistants to accommodate requests
• Completes a preliminary review/examination of patient data (including medical history) - compiles and organizes pertinent information - and develops/presents a patient profile to be used in assessing patient's status
• Assists with or renders a course of treatment based on the assessed needs of the patient - developing progressive types of physical therapy treatment programs
• This is done in consultation with a physical therapist or physician
• Assists therapist in development of a comprehensive specialized treatment plan that includes long- and short-term goals
• Persuades and motivates veterans and family members to participate in treatment plans and comply with indicated regimens and post-discharge activities
• Interacts with the patient and family regarding goals for treatment.Assists in the performance of - or independently performs - highly specialized and diversified treatment procedures
• Utilizes the full range of modalities including heat - cold - sound - electricity - and massage
• Administers non-complex active and passive therapeutic exercise
• Fits - adjusts - and instructs patients in use of orthoses - prostheses - and mobility appliances
• Instructs motivates - and assists patients to learn activities of daily living and improve functional activities
• Prepares and maintains appropriate equipment and supplies required for these treatments
• Varies procedures or positions to adjust for veterans' medical conditions
• Modifies intervention environment - tools - materials - and activities in response to each veteran's response to treatment
• With prior approval of the therapist - adapts the technical procedures and approaches involving new and unusual treatment and rehabilitation objectives to meet the individual veteran's needs
• Modifies or adapts specialized treatment approaches within the scope of the established treatment plan to reflect the changing needs of the veteran
• Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 53352-F - 53353-F - 53354-F - 53355F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Note: This is a Bargaining Unit position
• This vacancy will remain open until filled
• The first cut-off date is 04/17/2025
• Additional applications will be referred as needed.