Clarification from the agency

This job is open to current permanent Department of Veteran Affairs employees, current permanent Federal employees of other agencies and all US Citizens. Area of Consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order: 1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility. 2. All other VA employees. 3 Current permanent Federal employees of other agencies 3. All other applicants - will be reviewed and referred based on Veterans' Preference.

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The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

Major duties include but are not limited to:

• Completes a preliminary review of patient data (including medical history, prior rehabilitation therapies and current plan of care).
• To ensure proper care, provides continual assessment of patients through observation and interview of the patient, staff, and caregivers.
• Monitors patient response to care and adjusts the program to suit the needs and abilities of the patient.
• Makes recommendations regarding services needed or modifications to the plan to the primary Physical Therapist and other members of the Interdisciplinary Team.
• Monitors the appropriateness of assistive devices and makes recommendations when appropriate.
• Administers standardized tests and measures to monitor progress. This includes manual muscle testing, goniometry, vital signs, balance testing and/or other functional measures.
• Always maintain patient and staff safety by practicing safe patient handling techniques by utilizing appropriate safe patient handling equipment.
• Schedules veterans for treatment, considering priority and frequency of care and coordinating schedules with other members of the treatment team.
• Documents performance and timely treatment and achievement of treatment goals, assuring a high level of productivity and cost-effective treatments are provided.
• Demonstrates skills in written communication and assures all documentation is done in a timely manner as per documentation policy for all veteran visits.
• Functions on a multidisciplinary team, representing the Rehabilitation Department by communicating directly with team members. Participates in staffing and discharge planning meetings as needed.
• Continue to maintain and learn advanced skills by attending continuing education courses and training when applicable.

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

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• 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:
  • 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.
• 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.
  • Exceptions for Non-Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant.
    • 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).
    • Non-licensed individuals shall only provide care under the direct supervision of a licensed PTA or PT who meets all state regulatory requirements.
    • Non-licensed individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and maynot be promoted/converted until licensure is obtained.
    • Temporary appointments of non-licensed PTAs may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment.
• Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.
• English Language Proficiency. [PTA candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).]

• Experience: None beyond the basic requirements.

• Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-5).
• 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.

• Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-6).
• 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.

• Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-7).
• 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.
  • 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.

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.