Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. This position is open to all U.S. citizens. *** If you ARE a current federal employee, please apply to the Internal Announcement CBSU-12873190-26-CC. ***

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• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Assists therapist 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.
• Assists in the performance of, or independently performs, highly specialized and diversified treatment procedures.
• Utilizes the full range of modalities including heat, cold, ultrasound, 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 of daily living and improve functional activities.
• Prepares and maintains appropriate equipment and supplies required for these treatments.
• Varies procedures or positions to adjust for veterans' medical conditions.
• Modifies intervention environment, tools, materials, and activities in response to each veteran's response to treatment.
• Adapts the technical procedures and approaches involving new and unusual treatment and rehabilitation objectives to meet the individual veteran's needs with prior approval from the therapist.
• Modifies or adapts specialized treatment approaches within the scope of the established treatment plan to reflect the changing needs of the veteran.
• Ensures appropriate patient referrals and discharge planning in concert with the Physical Therapist and Medical Center staff.
• Seeks clarification, listens and conveys information clearly, in written and verbal forms.
• Investigates and responds appropriately to all complaints and takes effective corrective action when necessary.
• Demonstrates the ability to identify and resolve interpersonal or professional conflicts when dealing with patients and members of the organization.
• Communicates effectively with our primary population of geriatric veterans/families, and recognizes/reports potential cases of patient abuse.
• Demonstrates tact, courtesy and a positive approach to communication and interaction with other employees, visitors, physicians, and the public. Presents the Program, Service, and Medical Center in a positive manner.
• Maintains confidentiality of patient medical records according to established policy.
• Follows the Standards of Ethical Conduct as defined in Medical Center Memorandums, and follows applicable regulations and laws as per the Compliance Program.
• Maintains a safe work environment to include non-technical maintenance of equipment, safety checks, cleaning, stocking, etc.
• Develops safe work habits to prevent injury to patients, co-workers and self. Reports to supervisory Physical Therapist the need for equipment or items necessary for patient treatment.
• Maintains a high level of competence through participation in continuing education programs.
• Assists with the supervision and training of student physical therapy assistants, volunteers, work students and other healthcare practitioners.
• Consults with staff and physicians through patient presentations, attendance at interdisciplinary patient care conferences and/or specialty clinics.

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.
• 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).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Qualifications

***This is an open continuous announcement until February 27 , 2026. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available. ***

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).

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

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:

In addition to the basic requirements outlined in paragraph 3, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

Physical Therapy Assistant, GS-8

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

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. 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: This position requires frequent bending and lifting, and the ability to assist patients with a variety of therapeutic activities. Incumbent must be able to lift 50 pounds to chest height and maintain good body mechanics. 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.

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.