Physical Therapy Assistant

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Perry Point (MD); On-site; USD 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare system seeks a Staff Physical Therapy Assistant to provide outpatient PT services. Responsibilities include implementing treatment plans, collaborating with healthcare providers, and monitoring patient progress. Ideal candidates will have licensure and the ability to work in diverse clinical settings.

Qualifications

• Active PTA license required in a State or Territory.
• English proficiency required.
• Experience at GS-7 level for GS-8 position.

Responsibilities

• Implement treatment plans independently and provide various interventions.
• Monitor patient progress and modify treatment techniques as needed.
• Assess and instruct patients on home program materials.

Skills

Ability to implement treatment plans

Ability to provide physical therapy interventions

Knowledge of assessment techniques

Instructing patients

Identifying critical changes in patient conditions

Collaborating with healthcare team

Education

Associate degree in physical therapy assistant program

Graduate of foreign PTA programs

Military PTA program graduate

Job description

This position is in VA Maryland Healthcare System. The duties and responsibilities are carried out throughout all clinical and patient care areas involved with the service but may also be called upon to help in the physical therapy clinic, the ICU, telemetry unit, medical unit, surgical unit, and/or CLC. Incumbent is a Staff Physical Therapy Assistant who reports directly to the Site Rehabilitation / Physical Therapy Supervisor.

Major Duties include, but are not limited to:

Requirements

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, 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).
• English Language Proficiency: PTA candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• Education: Must meet at least one of the following:

• 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;
• 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;
• 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 (e.g., Puerto Rico), or District of Columbia.

Grade Determinations

GS-8 Physical Therapist Assistant

• Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

Ability to independently implement treatment plans considering patient's disability and needs.

Ability to independently provide varied physical therapy interventions based on established care plans (e.g., therapeutic exercises, balance, gait training, neuromotor development, etc.).

Knowledge of data collection and assessment techniques in physical therapy to monitor patient progress.

Ability to instruct patients on interventions and provide materials to support home programs.

Ability to modify treatment techniques based on patient learning needs.

Ability to identify critical changes in patient conditions to assess medical and functional status.

Ability to collaborate with PTs and healthcare team members for treatment planning and discharge.

Preferred Experience: The incumbent will primarily provide outpatient PT services at the Loch Raven VAMC, addressing various diagnoses including orthopedics, medical issues, and neurological conditions. The therapist interprets physician orders, assesses patients, formulates and modifies treatment plans, reports progress, maintains materials, and trains staff and volunteers.

Reference: For more information, visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

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

Physical Requirements: Refer to VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.