Clarification from the agency

All US Citizens

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Duties include, but not limited to:

A. Patient Care Management

1. Receives and interprets requests or instructions for procedures from the Physical Therapist or physician. Plans and implements specialized treatment programs and applies physical therapy procedures to patients under the general supervision of a Physical Therapist. Employee may carry out or oversee the work of lower graded assistants to accommodate requests.
2. Completes a preliminary review/examination of patient data (including medical history), compiles and organizes pertinent information, and develops/presents a patient profile to the Physical Therapist, to be used in assessing patient's status. Assists with or renders a course of treatment based on the assessed needs of the patient, developing progressive types of physical therapy treatment programs. This is done in consultation with a Physical Therapist or physician.
3. Assists Physical Therapists in development of a comprehensive specialized treatment plan that includes long and short-term goals. 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 regarding goals for treatment.
4. Assists in the performance of, or independently performs, highly specialized and diversified treatment procedures. Utilizes the full range of modalities including heat, cold, sound, electricity, and massage. Administers non-complex active and passive therapeutic exercise. Fits, adjusts, and instructs patients in the use of orthoses, prostheses, and mobility appliances. Instructs, motivates, and assists patients to learn activities and daily living and improve functional activities. Prepares and maintains appropriate equipment and supplies required for these treatments.
5. Varies procedures or positions to adjust for patients' medical conditions. Modifies intervention environment, tools, materials, and activities in response to each patient's response to treatment. With prior approval of the therapist, adapts the technical procedures and approaches involving new and unusual treatment and rehabilitation objectives to meet the individual patient's needs. Modifies or adapts specialized treatment approaches within the scope of the established treatment plan to reflect the changing needs of the patient.
6. Assists the physical therapy staff in research projects, in-service training, public relations programs, and quality assurance/performance improvement initiatives.
7. Prepares and presents written and oral reports for physicians, physiatrists, nursing staff, fellow therapists, and all other professionals concerned with the patient's care. Participates in family and multidisciplinary team meetings to identify patient's needs, report on patient's goals and progress, and to assist in planning patient's treatment program.
8. The PTA independently documents all patient care rendered and initiates consults for appropriate patient care equipment inherent to the physical therapy scope of practice.
9. Maintains a safe work environment to include non-technical maintenance of equipment, safety check, cleaning, stocking, etc. Develops safe work habits to prevent injury to patients, co-workers, and self. Reports to Therapy Supervisor the need for equipment or items necessary for patient treatment.

B. Human Resources Management:

1. Maintains a high level of competence through participation in continuing education programs. Assists with the supervision and training of Physical Therapist Assistant Students, volunteers, work students and other healthcare practitioners.
2. Participates in training of new physical therapy staff.
3. Continually participates in various committees in the hospital to give input from the rehab perspective.
4. Participates in continuing education and in-service training to further professional development.
5. Completes the annual training/education required by the facility as mandatory.
6. Completes required continuing education to maintain current and valid licensure.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00a-4:30p
Compressed/Flexible: Not available
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 12492F

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

BASIC REQUIREMENTS.

To qualify for appointment to this position, all applicants must possess the following:

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).

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.

Grade Determinations: Physical Therapy Assistant, GS-8

Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade.

In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate 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.

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

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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.

You will not be contacted for additional information.

Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted.

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.

The following will be communicated to applicants for VA employment in a testing designated position and will also be included in all VA vacancy announcements for such positions: All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drugs use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.

Note: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, series and grades for all federal positions held, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hour worked per week.