Clarification from the agency

Open to current, permanent William S. Middleton VA Hospital employees (includes CBOCs and VCS). All other current, permanent employees of a VISN 12 VHA facility, or all other current, permanent employees VA Nationwide. This does not include temporary, term or intermittent employees. Most recent SF50 (non-award) is required at time of application

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Major duties include but are not limited:

Responsible for the provision of direct treatment of patients under the direction of a licensed Physical Therapist.

• Make autonomous clinical decisions in a Direct Access environment. This includes ability to independently treat patients who seek physical therapy services
• Maintain consistent and timely documentation of patient encounters in the electronic medical record in accordance with accepted PTA practice, facility and Rehabilitation Service policies and procedures.
• Assess the need for and the patient's ability to use assistive devices and adaptive equipment. If appropriate, issues it to patients, and trains them in the proper use of the device(s).
• Resolve problems that interfere with delivery of physical therapy care.
• Function autonomously in carrying out patient education, treatments, and applying physical therapy procedures for which competency has been established and in accordance with state laws or local facility regulations and APTA documents.
• Able to effectively communicate with health care providers involved in patient care via written, telephone, and personal communication on a regular basis at the William S. Middleton VAH.
• Adheres to infection control programs and maintains full competency in the use, pre-cleaning and/or reprocessing of reusable medical equipment (RME) per PM&R Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and manufacturer's instructions.
• Assure the cleanliness, maintenance, repairs, and successful operation of all Physical Therapy equipment and treatment areas.
• Complete educational activities and competencies to maintain state licensure and any additional certification(s) as required by the certifying/licensing agency and the VA.
• Assist with the scheduling of outpatient appointments to facilitate care in a timely manner.

Work Schedule: M-F 8:00-4:30 PM
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized

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 examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

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.

Education: An 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.

Graduate of military physical therapy assistant programs that meet the educational requirement and have successfully passed the NPTE for PTAs.]

• English Language Proficiency: spoken and written English language proficiency in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• Licensure: current, full, active, and unrestricted license to practice as a Physical Therapy Assistant in a state, territory, or commonwealth of the United States, or in the 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)May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

GS-08 LEVEL GRADE REQUIREMENTS

Experience: One (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 level in the Federal service that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of this position. Specialized experience includes: 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, and the ability to consult with the PT to assess progress, modify treatment and set discharge plan.

GS-8 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• 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.
• 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 vacancy is at the full performance level

Physical Requirements: The incumbent of the position will meet and maintain physical and drug test program requirements as required by hospital policy. There will be periods of walking and ambulating patients, providing patient transfers, some lifting of 50 pounds and supporting patients.

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.