Physical Therapy Assistant

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Gainesville (FL); On-site; USD 48,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Gainesville, FL seeks a Physical Therapy Assistant to provide direct patient care under the supervision of a Physical Therapist. The role supports prevention, remediation, and rehabilitation of various physical impairments in the PM&R setting.

Applicants must meet PTA education/licensure requirements and English proficiency; benefits and GS leveling apply as part of VA standards.

Qualifications

• Must meet citizenship requirements as per VA policy.
• Completion of an accredited PTA program or equivalent and eligibility to take NPTE for PTAs.
• Current, full, active PTA license in the U.S. (state/territory) or DC.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct patient care under the supervision of a Physical Therapist.
• Assist in prevention, remediation, and rehabilitation of physical dysfunction.
• Work with Veterans with orthopedic, neurological, and systemic impairments in PM&R.
• Maintain documentation and support for patient plan of care.

Skills

PTA Licensure

Evidence-based practice

Patient care

Communication

Education

Associate degree in PTA

Job description

The position is responsible for direct patient care within Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation of Veterans with a variety of orthopedic, neurological, and systemic impairments. The Physical Therapy Assistant works under the supervision of a Physical Therapist to provide services that promotes the prevention, remediation, and rehabilitation of acute and chronic physical dysfunction. 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.
• 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 Proficiency. [PTA candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

Grade Determinations

In addition to the basic requirements, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates

GS 5

Experience. [None beyond the basic requirements.]

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:

• Knowledge of evidence based physical therapy practice.
• Ability to perform physical therapy data collection and use of objective measures in order to carry out patient plan of care.
• Ability to modify treatment approaches, within the scope of the established treatment plans, to reflect patients' changing needs.
• Skill in promoting physical therapy services by providing training and interventions within the assigned areas.

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:

• Ability to perform in depth chart review to implement treatment plans.
• Ability to independently use objective measures to assess progress, in accordance with the plan of care for complex patient cases.
• Knowledge of contemporary physical therapy practice.
• Ability to consult with the PT to assess progress, modify treatment and set discharge plan.

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:

• Ability to independently implement treatment plan using knowledge of techniques related to the patient's disability and needs.
• 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.).
• 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.
• Ability to instruct patient on varied interventions to provide materials to enhance compliance with home programs.
• Ability to modify treatment techniques based on the learning needs and perceptions of the patient.
• 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

• Outpatient clinic experience
• Acute Care experience

Reference

For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/ Part II Appendix G23

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 bending and lifting, and the ability to assist patients with a variety of therapeutic activities. Incumbent must be able to lift 50 pounds to chest height and maintain good body mechanics.