PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSISTANT

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Altoona (PA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs invites applications for a Physical Therapy Assistant to support the Physical Therapist in achieving patient goals within the established plan of care.

The role includes advancing the program, reviewing progress, and adapting techniques to meet changing patient needs while maintaining safety standards. The ideal candidate is a graduate PTA with an active US license, able to work in a multidisciplinary team, document progress accurately, and educate patients on

Qualifications

• Associate degree from an accredited PTA program required.
• Current PTA license in the United States (state/territory).
• U.S. citizenship or eligible for appointment under VA rules.

Responsibilities

• Implement and monitor the plan of care with physician supervision.
• Provide evidence-based interventions: therapeutic exercise, gait training, manual techniques.
• Assess patient progress, document outcomes and communicate with the PT and team.
• Educate patients and caregivers on home programs and safety.

Skills

Evidence-based practice

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Patient education

Education

Associate degree from an accredited PTA program

NPTE for PTA

Graduate of military PTA program that pass NPTE

Job description

Summary

Physical Therapy Assistant collaborate with the primary Physical Therapist then draw upon a broad base of practical knowledge and a well-developed treatment skill set in order to reach predetermined patient goals by independently modifying techniques within the established plan of care. They implement the plan of care for patient cases - advance the program and continually review the patient's condition to determine their medical and functional status.

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

• Citizenship
• Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.)
• Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C.
• 7407(a)
• 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
• c
• 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 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
• Physical Requirements
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements
• English Language Proficiency
• [PTA candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C.
• 7403(f)
• Grade Determinations: Physical Therapy Assistant - GS-05 Experience
• None beyond the basic requirements Physical Therapy Assistant - GS-6 Experience
• One year of creditable experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade
• 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 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 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 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
• 6 (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
• 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. 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: 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.

Duties

• VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY Implement the plan of care for patient cases - advance the program and continually review the patient's condition to determine their medical and functional status
• Provide evidenced based skilled interventions including - but not limited to - therapeutic exercise - therapeutic activities - therapeutic modalities - gait training - transfer training - manual treatment - neuromuscular re-education - self-care and management training - patient/caregiver's education and group therapy
• Meet with the physical therapy staff and other healthcare team members to evaluate and discuss patient information for planning - modifying and coordinating treatment programs and discharge planning
• Demonstrate knowledge of anatomy - physiology - physics - kinesiology - psychology - pathophysiology - and surgical procedures as they relate to human function
• The PTA will also possess knowledge relative to the impact of aging on the cardiopulmonary - visual - auditory - sensory - perceptual - and musculoskeletal systems
• Assesses the need for and the patient's ability to use assistive devices and adaptive equipment
• If appropriate - issues it to patients - and trains them in the proper use of the device(s)
• Resolves problems that interfere with delivery of physical therapy care
• Interviews patients and caregivers to gather information for ongoing patient assessment
• Observes patient's ability to perform specified tasks and provides preliminary assessment of information on patient's physical and functional status
• Performs ongoing assessment of patient's physical and functional 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
• Interacts with the patient and family regarding goals for treatment
• Prepares and presents written and oral reports for fellow therapists and all other professionals concerned with the patient's care
• Participates in family and multidisciplinary team meetings to identify patient's needs - report on patient's goals and progress and to assist in planning patient's treatment program
• Work Schedule: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm - Tuesday - Saturday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized