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 announcement is open to current White City employees only.

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FUNCTIONS OR SCOPES OF PRACTICE.
a. Treatment:
1. Responsible for the provision of direct treatment of patients under the direction of a licensed Physical Therapist.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of anatomy, physiology, physics, kinesiology, psychology, pathophysiology, and surgical procedures as they relate to human function. The PTA will also possess knowledge relative to the impact of aging on the cardiopulmonary, visual, auditory, sensory, perceptual, and
musculoskeletal systems.
3. Assesses the need for and the patient's ability to use assistive devices and adaptive equipment. If appropriate, DME to patients, and trains them in the proper use of the device(s).
4. Resolves problems that interfere with delivery of physical therapy care.
5. Functions autonomously in carrying out patient education, treatments, and applying physical therapy procedures for which competency has been established and in accordance with state laws or local facility regulations and APTA documents.
6. Adept at modifying the treatment plan and therapeutic interventions based on the changing needs, goals, and performance of the patient.
7. Alerts the Physical Therapist overseeing the care of the patient when modifications are needed to the treatment plan and/or when either the established goals or timeframes for achievement of those goals has been attained.

b. Communication
1. Demonstrates teaching skills required to provide education to patients, family members, caregivers, students, and other healthcare professionals.
2. Demonstrate the ability to communicate, both orally and in writing, with patients, family members, caregivers, students, and other healthcare professionals.
3. Able to effectively communicate with health care providers involved in patient care via written, telephone, and personal communication on a regular basis at the VA Southern Oregon Rehabilitation Center & Clinics.
4. Consistently produces clear, accurate, and complete written communication.
5. Participates in interdisciplinary care planning conferences, prn.

c. Documentation:
1. Effectively documents within Electronic Health Record, including daily notes, progress notes and
discharge summaries.
2. Documentation is consistent with Joint Commission and local hospital/PM&R Service requirements
regarding content and timeliness.
3. Submits orders to the Prosthetics & Sensory Aides Service (PSAS) for rehabilitation equipment in
accordance with PM&RS and local medical center policies.

d. Providing Leadership:
1. Actively supports and promotes all programs of PM&RS.
2. Performs other tasks that are consistent with the mission of PM&RS and the Medical Center.

e. Triage and Workload Distribution:
1. Assists with outpatient appointments to facilitate care in a timely manner.

f. Quality Assurance (QA)/ Quality Improvement (QI):
1. Conducts record keeping related to patient care documentation and quality improvement (QI) data
collection as specified or requested by the Section Chief, Physical Therapy Department.

g. Education:
1. Acts as Clinical Instructor for PTA schools affiliated with the VA SORCC.
2. The PTA continually seeks to improve knowledge and skill by review of current literature,
conducting or participation in in-service training, presentations in Skills Buildling, and
attendance at continuing education programs especially in their area of expertise.

h. Administrative Responsibilities:
1. Completes all VAMC mandatory training in a timely manner, including yearly competencies and TMS
requirements.
2. Competent in using the computer system for storing and retrieving electronic documents and
files, transmitting and receiving e-mail, activating printers, and accessing the Federal Electronic
Health Record.
3. Covers administrative positions/responsibilities within the service when needed/assigned.

i. Safety and Environment:
1. Demonstrates awareness of safety hazards and takes appropriate corrective action (patient handling, treatment environment, equipment, etc).
2. Adheres to infection control programs and maintains full competency in the use, pre-cleaning and/or reprocessing of reusable medical equipment (RME) per PM&R Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and manufacturer's instructions.
3. Assures the cleanliness, maintenance, repairs, and successful operation of all Physical Therapy equipment and treatment areas.
4. Assists in maintaining adequate operational supplies by notifying immediate supervisor of needs when they arise.

Work Schedule: M-F 0800-1630
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 692-90571-F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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.
• 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 identification 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.

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: 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-9
(1) 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.
(2) 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.

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-9.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

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.