Summary The PTA provides treatment that promotes the prevention, remediation,and rehabilitation of acute and chronic physical and psychosocial dysfunction. The PTA administers and monitors therapeutic interventions based on goals formulated by a Physical Therapist, but must be able to carry out a general treatment plan without the direct involvement of a PT. The PTA also conducts educational programs to support the needs of patients in both rehabilitation and various other programs within the facility. Responsibilities VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY 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. Performs appropriate cleansing and re-processing of reusable medical equipment in compliance with VHA directives and SOPs. 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 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. Assists in the performance of, or independently performs, highly specialized and diversified treatment procedures. Utilizes the full range of modalities. Administers non-complex active and passive therapeutic exercise. 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 Physical Therapist, adapts the technical procedures and approaches involving new and unusual treatment and rehabilitation objectives to meet the individual veteran's needs. Prepares and presents written and oral reports for fellow therapists and all other professionals concerned with the patient's care. Maintains timely and appropriate documentation of all progress notes, discharge notes (as appropriate), patient/family education, work load statistics, QA monitors, patient attendance records and other clinical activities. Follows appropriate billing and coding practices. Keeps current with trends in rehabilitation medicine/therapy through scheduled in-services, library resources, continuing education courses, and hospital training and development workshops scheduled by the facility. Responsible for maintaining open communication with and educating patients, families, Medical Center staff and others regarding the disability incurred, interventions used in reducing the disability, and management of any residual disability in the resumption of roles in the home and community environment. Maintains confidentiality of patient medical records according to established policy. Demonstrates tact, courtesy and a positive approach to communication and interaction with other employees, visitors, physicians, and the public. Presents the Program, Service, and Medical Center in a positive manner. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized All required documentation must be uploaded before the announcement closes, to support eligibility. Failure to submit documentation will constitute the application being categorized as incomplete and therefore ineligible for referral. Experience must be clearly indicated in your resume. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a trial period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). 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 Requirement: 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 (GS-7). Examples of experience include: Receive ongoing guidance from more experienced staff members and receive general direction by the treating PT. Draw upon a broad base of practical and experiential knowledge in order to assist the PT in reaching pre-determined patient goals. Work independently but still under the general direction of Physical Therapists. Observe patients' ability to perform specified tasks in order to provide ongoing assessment of information on patients' physical and functional status. Work with the physical therapy staff to assess progress, modify treatment and set discharge plan. Provide clinical direction for PTA students. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. 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: A compliment of inpatient and outpatient physical therapy experience. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005, PART II, APPENDIX G23 dated January 28, 2021.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-8 only. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. Physical Requirements: Work includes regular and recurring physical excretion, with long periods of standing, bending, kneeling, walking, reaching, gripping, sitting, twisting, pulling or pushing carts with inventories or activities involving retrieving items from shelves and cabinets. and patient transfers. Moderate to heavy lifting is often required but no greater than 35 lbs. The position demands significant physical stress and strain such as lifting patients, crouching and crawling on mats, and occasionally defending him/herself against combative patient assigned to the incumbent. The work involves moderate risks or discomforts requiring normal safety precautions typical of a hospital setting. Employees will be required to follow universal infection control precautions that may include having to "gown and glove" when providing treatment to patients. Sitting at meetings, desks or computer terminals for documentation purposes is also required. Operation and driving of a motor vehicle is also required. The incumbent of the position will meet and maintain physical and drug test program requirements for the position as required. Due to the complexity of the work, the multiplicity of the projects at any one time, deadlines, and duties, the job requires a high level of energy, and may be psychologically stressful at times. All required documentation must be uploaded before the announcement closes, to support eligibility. Failure to submit documentation will constitute the application being categorized as incomplete and therefore ineligible for referral. Experience must be clearly indicated in your resume. Education Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
