Clarification from the agency

Open to current permanent VA employees of the facility. Veteran's Preference does not apply to this job announcement. 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 include, but are not limited to:

• The PTA serves as an active member of the multidisciplinary treatment team for assigned patients.
• Monitors individual patient's medical condition through chart review, interviews of patient/family and physical signs and symptoms.
• Implements a comprehensive treatment plan and routinely charts progress towards goals. Measures and records patient's joint range of motion, muscle strength and length/girth of body parts.
• Monitors vital signs to determine the effects of specific treatments and to compile data for therapist review.
• Observes patients during treatments and compiles data on their response to treatments. Reports patient responses to treatment and changes in the patient's condition both orally and in writing to the appropriate physical therapist.
• Administers physical therapist's plan of care to patients under the direction of a physical therapist. Works with a high degree of independence implementing the plan of care.
• Treatment procedures are varied with many being specialized and complex in nature. Treatment provided by the PTA includes but is not limited to gait training including the use of specialized high intensity gait training and robotics gait training, peripheral joint mobilization, therapeutic exercise, massage, all electrical modalities, traction, TENS, and patient/family education. Instructs and assists patients in learning and improving functional activities such as pre ambulation, transfers and daily living skills.
• In collaboration with physical therapist, uses sound judgment, displays a high level of quality performance, depth of understanding and the ability to adapt treatment procedures to the individual patient's needs. Recognizes significant adverse reactions to treatment and makes necessary changes as required under the guidance of the physical therapist.
• Modifies treatment approaches within the scope of the established treatment plan to reflect the patient's need for services.
• Recognizes significant adverse reactions to treatment and makes necessary changes as required under the guidance of the physical therapist.
• Maintains clinical competence in all setting to include rehab, extended care, acute care, outpatient services, and clinics throughout the medical center.
• The PTA provides all routine clinical activities under the general supervision of a Licensed Physical Therapist. Therapy notes reflecting significant change, goals met, goals revised, or discharges will be cosigned by a PT. PTs supervising the PTA will provide a minimum of one cotreatment face to face with the PTA every 3 months.

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

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

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).

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

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 Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e. Puerto Rico) of the United States, or District of Columbia.

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

Physical Therapy Assistant, GS-9

Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate one of the following:

(a) A minimum of 2000 hours of clinical practice directly in the specialty area, and completion of 60 contact hours of selected continuing education coursework. This time must be within the past five years; or

(b) Advanced Practice Proficiency (APP) in the specialty area recognized by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA); or

(c) An additional academic degree related to the health care mission.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

(a) Ability to mentor other staff in advanced clinical guidelines and best practices.

(b) Ability to serve as a subject matter expert (SME) for healthcare providers in specialty practice areas regarding physical therapy care.

(c) Ability to present] advanced knowledge in the therapeutic interventions and clinical practice guidelines with the healthcare team.

(d) Ability to interpret and apply clinical practice guidelines.

Preferred Experience: Minimum of three (3) years of outpatient experience.

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

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is the GS-9.

Physical Requirements: The OKC VA HCS has a no-lift policy. There are lifts available throughout the hospital/CBOC if heavy lifting is required. Frequent lifting up to 35 pounds with frequent bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, overhead reaching and getting up and down from the floor may be required during the performance of this therapy position.

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.


Area of Consideration: How you will be evaluated
1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility.


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.