The Physical Therapy Assistant is assigned to the Ambulatory Care Service (ACS), CARA Pain Management Team, or CARA PMT at the Raymond G. Murphy VA Medical Center. The incumbent is assigned to provide professional services to any/all program areas that are covered by ACS including acute care, long term care, and outpatient settings under the supervision of the Section Chief for the CARA Pain Team or a designee of the Section Chief. 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 Loss of Credential. A PTA who fails to maintain the required licensure must be removed from the occupation, which may also 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, 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. Preferred Experience: VHA pain management experience. VHA pain clinic experience. 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. ["Perform at the full performance level and is appropriately licensed; he/she performs all duties under the oversight of a licensed physical therapist. Manage and maintain specialized physical therapy programs and regimens. Assess changes in physical, mental and/or medical status. Perform specified aspects of patient evaluations and interventions. Conduct thorough medical chart reviews and participates in the planning and implementation of complex treatment programs. Modifies treatment approaches, within the scope of the established plan, to reflect patient's changing needs. Coordinate several treatment approaches simultaneously to accomplish complex treatment objectives. Demonstrate a full professional understanding of the theories of treatment of physical therapy and their proper application. Demonstrate knowledge of and compliance with all emergency and disaster procedures. Instruct students and manage/coordinate a training and education program for PTA students. Identify continuing education needs, attends continuing education programs, and reads professional literature Maintain current working knowledge of available technology and equipment. Assess patients for durable medical equipment, adaptive/assistive devices and other recommended therapeutic equipment. Procurement of equipment/devices, issuance of equipment, education and training in equipment set-up, features, routine use, troubleshooting, cleaning, infection control practices and maintenance with proper documentation. Plan and implement appropriate education of patients, families, and caregivers. Instruct patients/caregivers in home exercise programs, rehabilitation techniques, activities of daily living and use of assistive devices/adaptive equipment as appropriate. Initiate and maintain ongoing communication with the supervising physical therapist(s) regarding all aspects of direct and indirect patient care needs. Makes recommendations regarding need for ongoing therapy services, need for referral to other services, need for additional input from supervising therapist, termination of therapy services, etc. Communicates readily with the multidisciplinary treatment team, advising the team of patient's needs and progress, exchanging discharge planning information with them. Communicate information regarding work assignments and scheduling. Initiate appropriate referrals to physicians and other clinicians/services as indicated. Responsible for the care, upkeep, and sanitation of equipment in assigned work environment. Organize and maintain clinical and administrative space to optimize safety, infection control and efficiency. Assess equipment needs of the department and maintains adequate stock of supplies and materials. schedule patients for treatment, considering priority and frequency of care and coordinates schedules with other members of the treatment team. Provide guidance and support to co-workers, students, and volunteers. Delegate duties to other support staff as appropriate. Comply with all policies regarding documentation and coding of patient care. Demonstrates knowledge of computer skills for completion of documentation and other responsibilities as required. Attend and participates in all mandatory departmental staff meetings and training sessions. Plan and present in-service education programs, when requested to the PT section, ACS and CARA PMT staff, and other services, as appropriate. Maintain communication with therapy supervisor in regard to equipment malfunctioning, depletion and request of supplies, suggestions for new programming, program and/or departmental improvement, problems with patients/families/peers. Performs all other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized"]

Return to Search Results