Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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Duties and responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to the following:

Receives / Interprets Therapy Instructions:

• Receives instructions for procedures to be administered via chart review of the consult note or initial evaluation note in CPRS. May receive and carry out additional instructions from Physical Therapist (PT) via addendums to therapy notes, electronic orders and chart review in CPRS. All documentation of the incumbent is co-signed by a licensed physical therapist.

Assists with or Renders Treatment Based on Patient's Needs:

• Assists with or renders a course of treatment based on the plan of care set by the Physical Therapist and the assessed needs of the patient, implementing progressive types of physical therapy treatment programs.
• Assists with or performs standard physical therapy procedures outlined in the plan of care within a broad spectrum of neurological and musculoskeletal problems. Many of the treatments are standardized due to mental and physical conditions of the Veteran.
• Incumbent recognizes abnormalities, and brings them to the attention of the Physical Therapist.
• Schedules procedures, coordinating appointments with other services. Suggests different procedures if accomplishing same procedure are unlikely to produce adequate results.
• Monitors Veterans condition and records response to treatment, ensuring that this is made part of the permanent medical record.
• Recognizes deviations in Veterans condition during procedure and duty to report finding to Physical Therapist.
• Prepares and maintains appropriate equipment and supplies required for these treatments.
• Maintains a work safe environment to include non-technical maintenance of equipment, safety checks, cleaning, stocking, etc.

Adapts and Adjusts Procedures:

• Screens, advises and assists Veteran through the physical therapy regimen.
• Adapts and adjusts physical therapy procedures outlined in the plan of care as needed.
• Performs ongoing assessment of Veteran's physical and functional status to determine tolerance to activities and interventions implemented from the pan of care.
• Makes mild modifications within narrowly specified limits in nonstandard physical therapy treatment approaches.
• Makes modifications within the scope of the established treatment plan to reflect the changing needs of the Veteran and his or her sociocultural context.
• Modifies treatment / intervention environment, tools, materials, and activities within the plan of care in response to each Veterans response to treatment.
• Adapts the technical procedures and approaches involving nonstandard treatment and rehabilitation objectives within the plan of care to meet the Veteran's individual needs. Seeks ongoing guidance from evaluating PT.
• Provides clinical direction for PTA students.

Administrative Responsibilities:

• Inputs scheduling data into hospital CPRS. Completes and documents initial evaluations with-in 24 hours, treatment interventions, re-evaluation, and discharge notes in accordance with PM&R Service and VHA policy that cover the entire course of treatment.
• Frequently selects, adapts, and adjusts kinesiotherapy intervention in accordance with rehabilitation goals.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am to 4:30p.
Telework: Not Available.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the 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.
• 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).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• 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.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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.
• 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. (1)
• English Language Proficiency. PTA candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

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:

Physical Therapy Assistant, GS-6
Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
(a) Knowledge of evidence based physical therapy practice.
(b) [Ability to perform] physical therapy data collection and use of objective measures in order to carry out patient plan of care.
(c) [Ability to modify treatment approaches, within the scope of the established treatment plans, to reflect patients' changing needs.
(d) Skill in promoting physical therapy services by providing training and interventions within the assigned areas.
Assignment: PTAs at this grade level serve (in developmental positions) [under general direction from PT's. They receive ongoing guidance from more experienced staff members and require general clinical direction by the treating physical therapist. PTAs develop a broad base of practical knowledge to assist the PT in reaching pre-determined patient goals.

Physical Therapy Assistant, GS-7:
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 perform in depth chart review to implement treatment plans.
(b) Ability to independently use objective measures to assess progress, in accordance with the plan of care for complex patient cases.
(c) Knowledge of contemporary physical therapy practice.
(d) Ability to consult with the PT to assess progress, modify treatment and set discharge plan.
Assignment: This is a developmental level for PTAs. PTAs receive ongoing guidance from more experienced staff members and receive general direction by the treating PT. PTAs draw upon a broad base of practical and experiential knowledge in order to assist the PT in reaching pre-determined patient goals. PTAs work independently but still under the general direction of PTs. They observe patients' ability to perform specified tasks in order to provide ongoing assessment of information on patients' physical and functional status. PTAs work with the physical therapy staff to assess progress, modify treatment and set discharge plan. They provide clinical direction for PTA students.

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.
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 predetermined 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.

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 in the range of GS-6 to GS-8.

Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over, Use of fingers, both hands required, Reaching above shoulder, Walking (8 hours), Standing (8 hours), Both legs required (1 prosthetic), Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, Ability to distinguish basic colors, Ability to distinguish shades of colors, Hearing (Aid permitted), and Mental and emotional stability. Part of this position will involve sedentary work involving computers and communications.

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.

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following Competencies for this position:

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.