Clarification from the agency

This vacancy announcement is opened to US citizens. Current federal employees that apply must submit their most recent (from 2024), non-award SF50 from eOPF.

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Duties are, but not limited to:

• Under the general direction of a PT, the PTA completes a preliminary review/examination of patient data (including medical history), assisting in development of a plan of care, while assessing patient's status and ascertaining patient's need for therapy services.
• Interviews patients and caregivers to gather historical information for initial patient assessment.
• Observes patient's ability to perform specified tasks and provides preliminary assessment of information on patient's physical and functional status.
• Performs ongoing assessment of patient's physical and functional status.
• Administers functional outcomes measures (e.g., manual muscle test, goniometry, Functional Independence Measure, Minimum Data Set, girth measurement, vital signs).
• Determines patient's need for services.
• Identifies when patient's maximum level of function has been attained and informs the PT.
• Determines when patients have attained established goals, recommending termination of treatment.
• Coordinates PTA programming for specialty programs such as CLC, orthopedics, acute care, amputee, etc.
• Interacts with the patient and family to determine their goals for rehabilitation treatment
• Contributes assessments of patient data in the development of a comprehensive treatment plan that incudes long and short-term treatment goals.
• Modifies treatment approaches, within the scope of the established treatment plan to reflect patient's changing needs.
• Establishes new goals and treatment plans to accommodate changes in patient's status for approval by the PT.
• Positions or repositions patients using proper transfer devices (e.g., transfer belt, sliding board) and procures assistance when necessary
• Adjusts and issues assistive devices for ambulation and instructs patients in their use.
• Measures and adjusts wheelchairs and instructs patients in their care and use.
• Instructs, motivates, and assists patients to learn and improve functional activities (e.g., ambulation, transfers, and bed mobility).
• Instructs patients in principles of cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary endurance.
• Instructs, motivates and assists patients to use and care for orthoses, prostheses, and supportive devices.
• Instructs patients in proper gait patterns.
• Prepares patients for wound management treatment and/or evaluation using proper techniques of safe transport, infection control, positioning and draping, and procures appropriate supplies and equipment.
• Provides wound care/management incorporating isolation and sterile techniques.
• Instructs and administers UV treatments.
• Instructs and assists in administration of therapeutic agents and modalities (e.g., ultrasound, electrotherapy, iontophoresis, hot/cold packs, icing).
• Implements and coordinates intervention plan, under the supervision of a PT in the following sensorimotor areas: range of motion, muscle strength, gross motor coordination, endurance, postural balance, tactile awareness.
• Implements and coordinates intervention plans in the following preventive health areas: energy conservation, joint protection, proper body mechanics, positioning, evaluating vital signs, fitness and lifestyle.
• Coordinates/interfaces with others.
• Documents information.
• Maintains equipment and work areas.
• Provides administrative support.
• Responsible for the general oversight of the West Palm Beach outpatient and CLC clinics with infrequent consultation of the Therapy Supervisor.
• Communicates directly to appropriate services regarding inventory, equipment and housekeeping concerns.
• Responsible for phone and walk-in triage.
• Responsible for scheduling, attendance, check-in/out and encounter activity.
• Provides guidance/supervision to volunteers, non-PT students and personnel.
• Acts as clinical instructor to students of an approved physical therapist assistant program.
• Provides supervision for PTA students under the direction of the PT.
• Works closely with clinical educator to develop, assess and modify student programming for PTA clinical programs.
• Responsible for student and facility evaluations at mid-term and conclusion of each clinical
• Responsible for timely communication with academic clinical educators regarding student performance.
• Attends and provides updated clinical instructor training.
• Develops and participates in QI activities.
• Updates knowledge base regarding current trends in physical therapy through continuing education courses.

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.
• 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

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:

a. Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).

b. 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.]

c. 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.

d. Grandfathering Provision.

Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education and/or licensure/certification/ registration requirements that apply to this occupation.] All individuals employed in VHA in this occupational series [or in another occupational series performing the duties as described in the qualification standard] on the effective date of the qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the [ ] grade held, including positive education and licensure/trademark/registration/certification. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:

(1) [ ] Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.

(2) [Employees in an occupation requiring a licensure/certification/registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/certification/registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher-grade levels.]

(3) [ ] Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of this standard.

(4) Employees who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the 4 occupation.

(5) [ ] Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.

e. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

f. English Language Proficiency. [PTA candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).]

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).

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements outlined above, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

Physical Therapy Assistant, GS-8

(1) Experience. [One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade.]

(2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. [In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate (on the resume) the following KSAs:
(a) Ability to independently implement treatment plan using knowledge of techniques related to the patient's disability and needs.
(b) 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.).
(c) 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.
(e) Ability to modify treatment techniques based on the learning needs and perceptions of the patient.
(f) 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.

(3) Assignment. This is considered the journey level for PTAs. PTAs at this level collaborate with the primary PT then draw upon a broad base of practical knowledge and a well-developed treatment skill set in order to reach pre-determined patient goals by independently modifying techniques within the established plan of care. They implement the plan of care for patient cases, advance the program and continually review the patient's condition to determine their medical and functional status. They provide evidenced based skilled interventions including, but not limited to, therapeutic exercise, therapeutic activities, therapeutic modalities, gait training, transfer training, manual treatment, neuromuscular re-education, self-care and management training, patient/caregiver's education and group therapy. They meet with the physical therapy staff and other healthcare team members to evaluate and discuss patient information for planning, modifying and coordinating treatment programs and discharge planning.

Preferred Experience: Three to five years of PTA experience is preferred.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS 8.

Physical Requirements: Work includes regular and demanding physical exertion in standing, bending, kneeling, reaching, gripping, and walking. Moderate to heavy lifting is required to assist patients and operate equipment. Sitting is required in meetings and for conducting administrative work. Above average agility may be desirable in defending oneself or others against physical attack/abuse. Work requires physical health, normal use of arms and legs, and good visual and auditory acuity.

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.