Clarification from the agency

Announcement open to current, permanent federal employees outside the Department of Veterans Affairs and all US Citizens. Current, permanent employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs should apply to announcement CBSX-12409652-24-MB to receive consideration for this vacancy.

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The Spinal Cord Injury Physical Therapy Assistant is responsible for the following: Patient Evaluation, Treatment, and Development

• Under the clinical supervision of a Physical Therapist (PT); plans, integrates, and communicates comprehensive physical therapy treatments for patients with SCI/D who have a variety of deficits including complete or incomplete paralysis of upper lower extremities with the associated medical and functional problems. Therapeutic objectives are complex, and the treatment procedures involved require the application of highly specialized skills and knowledge.
• Develops and implements individualized physical therapy treatments including resistive exercises, passive and active range of motion, functional mobility training, postural training, transfer training, etc., for acute and chronic, inpatient and outpatient spinal cord injured patients.
• Recognizes and considers the various interacting medical and psychosocial variables, which affect the individual with SCI/D when preparing a treatment plan and motivate the patient to become an active participant in their rehabilitation process.
• Monitors patient progress and modifies treatments as necessary according to an ongoing evaluation process, in order to optimize patient condition and allow patient to reach the goals established in conjunction with team. Factors include medical and functional status, psychosocial variables, patient needs and goals, and available treatment modalities.
• Participates on ward rounds, patient planning meetings, and discharge conferences and informs team of patient status and expectations.
• Assists PT's in home evaluations, mobility evaluations, gait and transfer evaluations, activities of daily living evaluations and equipment evaluations.
• Demonstrates knowledge, skills and abilities that are required for a Lead PTA. Advanced knowledge of treatment techniques in order to assess changes in physical, mental, and /or medical status. Determines if a patient is oriented x 4 (name, place, date and their situation) checking patient·· blood pressure, loss of normal strength, sign of early fatigue secondary to under or over medication or deconditioning. Able to work with PT's to progress patient within PT treatment plan.
• Advanced knowledge of physical therapy data collection and assessment techniques in order to perform specified aspects of patient evaluations and interventions. Evaluates patient position and technique when performing therapy exercises. Instructs patient in the correct and proper way of performing transfers, wheelchair management and using gym equipment.
• Skills to manage and/or maintain responsibility for a specialty program. Trains patients on highly specialized therapy equipment at the SCI Center, including the Lokomat, Alter G treadmill, Bioness, and Functional Electrical Stimulation bike. Communicate with vendors to ensure receipt of updates to the equipment. Provides staff with periodic training on the specialized equipment to ensure they remain familiar with the complex equipment.
• Receives requests or instructions for procedures. Interprets requests or instructions from the therapist or physician. Plans and implements specialized treatment programs and applies physical therapy procedures to patients under the general supervision of a Physical Therapist (PT). Completes a preliminary review/examination of patient data (including medical history), compiles and organizes pertinent information, and develops/presents a patient profile to be used in assessing patient's status and ascertaining patient's need for therapy services. Procedures require close consultation with a therapist or physician.
• Secures the confidence and cooperation of Veterans during procedures. Explains procedures, positions patients for desired results, and cushions and shields Veterans as appropriate. Varies procedures or positions to adjust for Veterans' medical conditions. Instructs, motivates, and assists patients to use and care for orthoses, prostheses, or other supportive devices. Persuades and motivates Veterans and family members to participate in treatment plans and comply with indicated regimens and post-discharge activities. Interacts with the patient and family about the goals for treatment. Instructs, motivates, and assists patients to learn and improve functional activities. Supports therapists or other staff in treating patients with physical disabilities, injuries, or disease by use of a wide range of physical therapy techniques and procedures.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• 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.
• 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).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

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.
• English Language Proficiency. PTA candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• Education. Individuals must meet at least one of the 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.
  • TRANSCRIPT DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED AT TIME OF APPLICATION
• 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.

• 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

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.