The incumbent is charged with responsibility for a range of clinical functions in the areas of clinical physical therapy delivery, information, education, screening/disposition of routine clinical operational matters for evaluation and treatment in direct patient care. Work will be performed in a regional acute care, rapid patient turnover facility serving a complex patient population, both inpatient and outpatient, acute and chronic. 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. Individuals must meet at least one of the requirements below: 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 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 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. Exceptions for Non-Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant. Non-licensed applicants who otherwise meet the minimum qualification requirements, but who do not possess state licensure, may be appointed, pending licensure, as a graduate PTA on a full-time temporary appointment under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7401(a)(1)(B) and not to exceed two years in accordance with the timeframe in 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B). Non-licensed individuals shall only provide care under the direct supervision of a licensed PTA or PT who meets all state regulatory requirements. Non-licensed individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until licensure is obtained. Temporary appointments of non-licensed PTAs may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment. Failure to Obtain Licensure. In all cases, non-licensed PTAs must actively pursue meeting requirements for licensure starting from the date of their appointment. At the time of appointment, the supervisor will provide the non-licensed PTA with the written requirements for licensure, including the time by which the license must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming licensed by the deadline. Failure to obtain licensure during this time period may result in termination of employment. Failure to Obtain Licensure. In all cases, non-licensed PTAs must actively pursue meeting requirements for licensure starting from the date of their appointment. At the time of appointment, the supervisor will provide the non-licensed PTA with the written requirements for licensure, including the time by which the license must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming licensed by the deadline. Failure to obtain licensure during this time period may result in termination of employment. 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: In addition to the basic requirements outlined in paragraph 3, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Physical Therapy Assistant, GS-8 Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to independently implement treatment plan using knowledge of techniques related to the patient's disability and needs. 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.). 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. Ability to instruct patient on varied interventions to provide materials to enhance compliance with home programs. Ability to modify treatment techniques based on the learning needs and perceptions of the patient. Ability to identify critical changes (e.g. vital signs, pain, mobility and alertness) in patient conditions to determine their medical and functional status. 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. 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. Physical Requirements: Regular and recurring physical exertion in standing, walking, bending, reaching, and sitting should be anticipated routinely. Light to heavy lifting may be required at times. Work discharge may require physical health, unhindered use of arms and legs, and good visual and auditory acuity. ["Open to ALL Current, Permanent Federal Employees, including Current Department of Veterans Affairs (Agency - VHA, VBA, NCA) Employees, and Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (Facility) Employees. Facility Employees will have FIRST consideration. US Citizens should apply to Job Opportunity Announcement CBTG-12612250-25-JB - Veterans Preference WILL APPLY. Major Duties include but are not limited to: Responsible for comprehensive monitoring of functional and occupational roles using standardized and non-standardized measures. Select and provide direct physical therapy interventions and procedures with varying degrees of complexity to enhance safety, wellness, and performance in functional mobility, ROM/strength, education, work, play, leisure, and social participation. Demonstrate a full professional understanding of the theories of treatment in physical therapy and their proper application through the use of activity analysis, behavioral intervention, frame of references, and therapeutic procedures. Assigned to all program areas within VHA and provide professional, independent physical therapy services. Perform ancillary assignments, including program management duties on an occasional basis. Development of and ability to carry out a full range of physical therapy treatments using a wide variety of traditional and non-traditional treatment techniques and modalities. Working effectively with patients, families/caregivers, treatment team members and others as identified. Documenting thorough, objective, data related specifically to patient status and progress using the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) to record results of treatment sessions, therapy goals, treatment plan, progress notes, and discharge summaries in accordance with PM&RS policy and facility guidelines. Make phone contact with patients, to establish appointments for service when needed. Serving as a consultant to other medical center personnel in evaluating and planning physical therapy treatment for complex cases (which may include but is not limited to attendance in Interdisciplinary Treatment Conferences and Medical Ethics Case Conferences). Providing clinical education and direct supervision for physical therapist/assistant students during fieldwork placement. Communicating with students and supervisor of physical therapy any concerns to ensure that the care of Veterans is not negatively affected in the process. May be required to travel in a government vehicle to patient's home for completion of home evaluation and/or determination of mobility/safety needs in the home setting up to 60 minutes away. Work Schedule: 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM Monday - Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 70886-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized"]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.
