Physical Therapy Assistant

Summary

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNED DUTIES

Nature, Purpose, and Location of Work: This GS-8 PTA serves in a full performance-level position, drawing upon a broad base of practical knowledge and wide-ranging clinical skills in the care of low- to high-complexity patients toward reaching pre-determined goals. The PTA demonstrates independence with implementing treatment plans, treatment modification, ongoing patient assessment, and use of objective measures and clinical outcome data.

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Duties

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FUNCTIONS OR SCOPE OF ASSIGNED DUTIES:

• 1.The PTA independently accesses, reviews, and prioritizes the day's caseload. The PTA completes necessary planning to ensure all direct and indirect patient care needs are met.
• 2.The PTA independently performs an in-depth chart review and determines appropriateness of care provision based on medical status, pain, mobility, and other physical and psycho social factors. The PTA independently completes tasks related to need to hold, reschedule, or rearrange care and discusses changes to the care plan with the PT.
• 3.The PTA independently implements the treatment plan, using knowledge of patient individual disability and needs to provide a broad range of varied interventions based on the established care plan.
• 4.The PTA independently utilizes basic and advanced interventions for complex and non-complex patients, including but not limited to therapeutic exercise, balance, body mechanics, therapeutic neuroscience education, manual therapy, flexibility, strength, gait training, neuromotor development, physical agents, functional training.
• 5.The PTA independently and continually reassesses and administers clinical outcome measures to monitor progress.
• 6.The PTA independently applies broad practical, clinical, and interventional knowledge and skills to modify techniques and advance the program within the established plan of care to reach pre-determined patient goals.
• 7. The PTA collaborates with PTs and other staff to discuss patient status and progress, and provides recommendations to modify the treatment plan, including discharge.
• 8. The PTA receives clinical guidance from the PT for the most complex patient cases or treatments
• 9. The PTA discontinues or reduces the intensity of the intervention in the event of a non-urgent adverse response, including but not limited to excessive fatigue and abnormal increase in pain. Modifies treatment independently based on patients' tolerance.
• 10. The PTA independently motivates patients toward completion of interventions and greater independence.
• 11. Treats patients with various diagnoses with low and highest complexity presentations, including but not limited to COPD, amputation, CVA, Parkinson's disease, MS, brain injury, pneumonia, fractures, joint replacements, cardiac disease, CHF, dementia, cancer, falls, visual impairment, wounds, pain, hearing impairment, and behavior health diagnoses.
• 12. Independently educates patients with complex learning barriers to learning in home programs and independent exercise programs. Performs this duty by using simple and advanced educational methods including demonstration, verbal and written instructions, and reverse demonstration. Independently assesses the response to and effectiveness of education and changes educational methods to achieve maximum effect as directed.
• 13. Complies with Standard Precautions and Infection Control principles in daily work. Performs this duty by knowing and following each patient's infectious status and taking appropriate precautions.
• 14. May assume responsibility for clinic maintenance. Performs this duty by restocking linens; restocking supplies; cleaning treatment areas between each patient's use; keeping maintenance checklists up to date; ensuring that equipment is clean and ready for use; and other duties related to clinic maintenance.
• 15. May monitor clinic supplies as needed to ensure adherence to local policy. Performs this duty by routinely checking for expired products; ensuring that flammable products are kept in the fire cabinet; and, ensuring that all hazardous items are included on the MSDS. Maintains the MSDS as directed by supervisor.
• 16. Performs annual equipment inventory as directed. Performs this duty by performing bar code scanning per Logistics policy, editing the hardcopy EIL as necessary, and notifying the supervisor of missing items.
• 17. Performs clerical and scheduling duties as assigned.
• 18. Remains current of departmental happenings. Performs this duty by regularly checking e-mail and attending department meetings and in-services.
• 19. Furthers professional growth and development. Performs this duty by completing all mandatory training and competencies.
• 20. Independently collects and reports functional outcomes as directed. Performs this duty by administering the appropriate functional scale at admission, d/c, and necessary intervals. Documents the score obtained from the functional scale in necessary documentation. Submits the score for entry into the database
• 21. Provides clinical direction for PTA students.

Work Schedule : M-F 0730-1600

Telework : Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement # : 0000

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives : Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• 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 ( Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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.

Grade Determinations : 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:
  • (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:

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8.

Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination. Exceptions: A pre-placement examination is required for any occupation or assignment that requires the operation of a government-owned or -leased motor vehicle in order to properly carry out assigned duties. Examinations may also be required for any occupation or assignment that requires a pre-placement examination by virtue of another policy, regulation, or statute,

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: 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:

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit for 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.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.