Physical Therapy Assistant

VA Detroit; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider, VA Detroit, is seeking a Physical Therapy Assistant to support patient treatments at Central Virginia VA Health Systems. This role involves working across various units including Inpatient Rehab, Acute Care, and Outpatient care. Ideal candidates should possess an associate degree in a PTA program and have a current PTA license, ensuring quality care to patients throughout their recovery process. Join a dynamic team dedicated to high-quality patient service and rehabilitation.

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Proficient in written and spoken English.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted license as a PTA.

Responsibilities

• Administers physical therapy procedures and assessments.
• Monitors and documents patient progress.
• Collaborates with Physical Therapists for treatment planning.

Skills

Patient Assessment

Therapeutic Exercise

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Associate degree in Physical Therapy Assistant Program

Job description

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Summary

Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) in this assignment typically works at Central Virginia VA Health Systems in Richmond, VA, a Complexity Level 1A (High Complexity) medical center and spends a majority of their time treating assigned patients as a float in various section of PT department such as: Inpatient Rehab, Acute Care, and Outpatient. PTA treats a variety of highly complex diagnoses across the continuum of care utilizing specialized treatment tools and procedures as outlined in POC.

Summary

Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) in this assignment typically works at Central Virginia VA Health Systems in Richmond, VA, a Complexity Level 1A (High Complexity) medical center and spends a majority of their time treating assigned patients as a float in various section of PT department such as: Inpatient Rehab, Acute Care, and Outpatient. PTA treats a variety of highly complex diagnoses across the continuum of care utilizing specialized treatment tools and procedures as outlined in POC.

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Duties

Duties Include But Are Not Limited To

• Clinic Treatment
• PTA is assigned a varied caseload of patients from medical, surgical, orthopedic, PM&R, neurology, NHCU, psychiatry, ICU, ED, Polytrauma, Amputees, outpatients and employees. PTA demonstrates an ability to assess patient's medical condition through chart review.
• Can work effectively in any of our Specialty Centers (ICU, Spinal Cord Injury and Disease, Polytrauma, and Cardiothoracic care) with complex cases. Works with clients with cognitive disorders such as confusion, poor motor coordination, memory deficits, identity confusion and poor judgement.
• Administers a wide variety of evidence-based physical therapy procedures through the use of exercise programs, mechanical traction therapeutic massage, heat, cold, ultrasound, hydrotherapy, and electricity.
• Independently provides 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).
• Can measure, adjust and instruct in care and use of crutches, canes, walkers, and wheelchairs.
• Instructs and assists patients in improving pulmonary function and in learning and improving functional activities - gait training, transfers, daily living activities - and in the use of and care of prostheses and orthoses.
• Performs, without interpretation, selected measurement procedures such as range of joint motion, gross strength of muscles groups, length and girth of body parts.
• Can modify patient's treatment program in collaboration with and under the direction of Physical Therapist within the limits specified in the care plan outlined by the Physical Therapist. Any need to deviate from the Plan of Care is immediately communicated with the Physical Therapist of record and any changes directed by Physical Therapist. Has knowledge and understanding of adverse reactions to treatment. Monitors vital signs and observes patients during treatment, and compiles and evaluates data on patient's progress and response. PTA reports orally or in writing to physical therapist.
• Maintains attendance records on assigned patients. Assists with maintaining department by performing various tasks, such as taking inventory, ordering supplies, compiling statistics and computer data entry for patient scheduling.
• May assist in the management of and/or responsibility for a specialty program.
• May assist in leading a group of employees and communicates information regarding work assignments and scheduling.
• Can instruct students and manage affiliate PTA students under the direction of the Physical Therapy Center Continuing Education Coordinator and assigned Licensed PT.
• Ward Treatment
• The physical therapist assistant assigned at the Richmond CVVHS is assigned a varied caseload. He/she assists the therapist in the treatment of often critically ill patients.
• Has the proper skills and knowledge to recognize special precautions for mobilizing patients that have been bedridden for prolonged periods of time.
• Assists in monitoring the patient's vital signs (HR, BP, RR) and assists to restore abnormal alterations to normal parameters in accordance with established procedures/protocols/practices.
• Documents changes orally and written in progress notes.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 8 AM - 4:30 PM

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
  
  

Qualifications

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: For this position you must meet at least one of the educational requirements below.

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,

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.

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.

Grade Determination: GS-08:

In addition to meeting the basic requirements for appointment, candidate must have at least one (1) year of physical therapy assistant experience comparable to the GS-07 grade level in Federal Service. Creditable experience includes but not limited to: Physical Therapy Assistants (PTAs) receive ongoing guidance from more experienced staff members and receive general direction by the treating Physical Therapist (PT). PTAs draw upon a broad base of practical and experiential knowledge in order to assist the PT in reaching pre-determined patient goals. PTAs work independently but still under the general direction of PTs. They observe patients' ability to perform specified tasks in order to provide ongoing assessment of information on patients' physical and functional status. PTAs work with the physical therapy staff to assess progress, modify treatment and set discharge plan. They provide clinical direction for PTA students.

And

In addition to meeting the basic requirements, the Candidates must also demonstrate the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) below:

• 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.(d) 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.
• 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.
  
  

References: VA Handbook 5005/139, Part II, Appendix G23. Physical Therapy Assistant Qualification Standard GS-0636.

Preferred Experience: At least 1 year of experience in an acute care setting treating patients post orthopedic & cardiac surgeries, amputations, and general debilitation.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08.

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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or 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.

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• Help Help A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  
  

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

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Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume
  
  

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Physical Therapy Assistant Licensure
• Misc.
• PCS Orders
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript
  
  

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Entry level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Health Care Provider

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