Physical Therapy Assistant

Summary

Position is located in the Physical Therapy Department of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS)at the Aleda E Lutz Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center Saginaw VA Health System. The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) provides treatment that promotes the prevention, remediation and rehabilitation of acute and chronic physical and psychosocial dysfunction. his position will provide care to our Veterans in the out-patient and long term care departments.

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Duties

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Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Receives and interprets requests or instructions for procedures from the Physical Therapist. Plans and implements basic treatment. programs and applies physical therapy procedures to patients under the supervision of a physical therapist.
• Consults with the licensed Physical Therapist regarding complex or special problem cases.
• Independently develops therapeutic exercise regimen for physical therapy patients based on the assigning Physical Therapists evaluation and goals.
• Modifies exercises based on patient's response.Completes a review of patient data (including medical history). Assists in and 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 the physical therapist.
• 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 treatment procedures.
• Utilizes the full range of modalities including, but not limited to, heat, cold, sound, electricity, and massage.
• Administers complex therapeutic exercise. Fits, adjusts and instructs patients in use of orthoses, prostheses, wheelchairs, and other mobility devices.
• Instructs, motivates, and assists patients to learn 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 veterans' needs.
• Modifies or adapts specialized treatment approaches within the scope of the established treatment plan to reflect the changing needs of the veteran.
• Prepares written and oral reports for the physical therapists and other professionals concerned with the patient's care.
• Completes all required computerized computer documentation.
• Maintains a clean and safe work environment to include non-technical maintenance of equipment, safety checks, cleaning, stocking, etc. Develops safe work habits to prevent injury to patients, co-workers and self. Writes work orders and reports to Chief Physical Therapist the need for equipment or items necessary for patient treatment.
• Follows infection control and all other safety procedures.
• Maintains a high level of competence through participation in continuing education programs.
• Assists with the clinical education of student physical therapist assistants, and the supervision and training of volunteers, work students and other healthcare practitioners.
• Attends all regularly scheduled department meetings.
• Presents inservice program or journal club information as may be required.
• Performs other related duties, or responsibilities as assigned to support the overall mission of the Physical Therapy department or the Medical Center.
• Must have a Valid Driver's license.

VA Careers - Physical Therapy :

Work Schedule : 8:30- 5:00 PM Monday-Friday

Telework : Not Authorized

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement # :91308-A

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.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
• 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.
• Valid, unrestricted, unexpired Driver's License and a safe driving record. Selectee's will be required to provide proof of a safe driving record. * DO NOT UPLOAD A COPY OF YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE*

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

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.
• English Language Proficiency. PTA candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• Education: Applicants 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 (CAPTE) 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 Graduate of military physical therapy assistant programs that meet the educational requirement and have successfully passed the NPTE for PTAs.
3. 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.

(a) 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).

(b) Non-licensed individuals shall only provide care under the direct supervision of a licensed PTA or PT who meets all state regulatory requirements. (c) Non-licensed individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may 3 not be promoted/converted until licensure is obtained.

(d) 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.

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-05

Experience. [None beyond the basic requirements.

] Physical Therapy Assistant, GS-6

(1) Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade.

(2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. [In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

(a) Knowledge of evidence based physical therapy practice.

(b) Ability to perform physical therapy data collection and use of objective measures in order to carry out patient plan of care.

(c) Ability to modify treatment approaches, within the scope of the established treatment plans, to reflect patients' changing needs.

(d) Skill in promoting physical therapy services by providing training and interventions within the assigned areas.

Physical Therapy Assistant, GS-7

(1) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade.

(2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. [In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

(a) Ability to perform in depth chart review to implement treatment plans.

(b) Ability to independently use objective measures to assess progress, in accordance with the plan of care for complex patient cases.

(c) Knowledge of contemporary physical therapy practice.

(d) Ability to consult with the PT to assess progress, modify treatment and set discharge plan.

Physical Therapy Assistant, GS-8

(1) Experience. [One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade.

(2) 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: Experience in long term care and out patient setting of at least 2 years experience.

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

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS 5 to GS 8.

Physical Requirements: This position requires frequent stooping, bending, walking, handling of wheelchairs. and lifting in conjunction with treatment of patients. At times there may be undue heavy lifting due to unforeseen circumstances such as preventing a patient from falling. Dexterity and skill in safe machinery technique are required. Requires the incumbent to travel by government vehicle to CBOC and Saginaw locationsas a reular and reoccuring part of their duties (valid driver's license required).

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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