Physical Therapy Assistant

Veterans Health Administration; United States; On-site; USD 48,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

The Veterans Health Administration seeks a Physical Therapy Assistant to deliver direct patient care under the supervision of a Physical Therapist in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. The role supports prevention, remediation, and rehabilitation of diverse impairments in veterans, with emphasis on safety and clinical effectiveness.

Applicants must meet educational/licensing requirements and be proficient in English; therapy may include outpatient and inpatient settings as part of a

Qualifications

• Associate degree in a PTA program accredited by the CAPTE.
• Current, full and unrestricted PTA license in the U.S. or DC.
• English proficiency for spoken and written communication.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct patient care under the supervision of a PT.
• Assist in treatment planning, data collection, and progress documentation.
• Support patient education and ensure safety during therapy sessions.
• Adapt and modify treatment plans as patients' needs change.

Skills

Evidence-based practice

Data collection

Adaptive treatment planning

Patient education

Education

Associate degree in PTA program

NPTE eligibility

Military PTA program graduate

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.