PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSISTANT

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Altoona (PA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

US Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Physical Therapy Assistant to collaborate with the Physical Therapist and apply a broad base of practical knowledge to reach patient goals. You will independently modify techniques within the plan of care and continually review patient status to determine medical and functional progress.

Applicants must meet education/licensure requirements or be eligible for licensure, and may be appointed pending licensure per guidelines.

Qualifications

• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Meet at least one education path for PTA.
• Current, full, active PTA license in U.S. or D.C.
• Non-licensed PTA may work under supervision temporarily.
• English proficiency in speaking and writing.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Physical Therapist to implement the plan of care.
• Modify techniques within the established care plan to meet patient needs.
• Advance the patient program and review progress to adjust status.
• Ensure compliance with licensure and regulatory requirements.

Skills

PTA knowledge

Evidence based

Plan modification

Communication

Education

Associate PTA degree

NPTE PTA eligible

Military PTA program

Job description

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. 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.