Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. 1st area of consideration will be given to current permanent employees of the Asheville VA Health Care System, to include all associated (CBOCs); 2nd area of consideration- current, permanent VHA Employees.

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Major Duties and Responsibilities to include but are not limited to:

• The Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) works with individuals and groups throughout the facility in a client-centered process to facilitate and empower the client to develop and achieve self-determined goals related to health and wellness. Coaches support clients in mobilizing internal strengths and external resources and develops self-management strategies for making sustainable, healthy lifestyle behavior changes and more effectively managing chronic disease.
• Coordinates assessment and delivery of whole health coaching services in assigned duty station or department. Contacts eligible participants for enrollment and explains the health coaching process.
• Provides health coaching for Veterans in order to reduce or eliminate high-risk behaviors while increasing healthy ones.
• Conducts interventions for Veterans using one-on-one and group modalities in outpatient and inpatient settings.
• Conducts Whole Health Facilitated Groups; may participate in movement-based classes, MOVE, smoking cessation, diabetes management, hypertension clinics and other inpatient and outpatient classes as appropriate.
• Provides follow-up care through telephone clinics or secure messaging between face-to-face appointments.
• Actively guides Veterans in the exploration of core elements of personal health planning through individual and group-based programs.
• Encourages and assists Veterans with the adoption of habits that are conducive to a higher quality of life and in alignment with the Veteran's goals. Identify habits and behaviors that are harmful to quality of life and related to chronic illness.
• Utilizes motivational interviewing and health coaching techniques and processes, learned through health coach training, to assist members in developing a realistic plan to accomplish their goals.
• Fosters an environment of individual responsibility to maximize each Veteran's ability to adhere to a lifestyle management plan.
• Develops trust with Veterans and incorporates trust principles in day-to-day activities. Works collaboratively within a team setting to provide positive outcomes for participants, peers and overall operations.
• Maintains education and knowledge regarding lifestyle (habits and behaviors) and clinical outcomes, including behaviors that improve Veterans' health and wellbeing and those related to poor clinical outcomes.
• Provides eligible Veterans and family members with information regarding lifestyle management including weight management, nutrition, exercise/fitness, smoking cessation, stress management, diabetes, pain management, and other appropriate conditions that are in line with the personalized health plan developed between the health care team and the patient, and in coordination with programs providing specific services when applicable, e.g., MOVE! for weight management or smoking cessation classes, if Veteran is enrolled in these programs.
• Uses VISTA, CPRS, Microsoft office software, Intranet and Internet and other applicable software to track and support patient progress. Communicates proactively and effectively with Veterans, peers and supervisors.
• Ability to deal with unexpected situations; i.e., cognitively impaired patients are constantly at risk for accidents, patient's whose behavior is out of control, medically unstable patients. Must react quickly and appropriately to life threatening situations, transfer patients and deal effectively with patient's emotional needs which may vary throughout the course of their treatment.
• Maintains equipment and work areas. Performs non-technical maintenance of equipment to prevent malfunctions and maintains the treatment area in a safe, orderly fashion. Maintains adequate stock of supplies and materials. Recognizes potentially hazardous situations and takes corrective action.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 08:00am-4:30pm.
Telework: Adhoc
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized.

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 identification 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.

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

Basic Requirements:

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

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 Requirements: In addition to the basic requirements, you must meet the following grade requirements.

GS-09 Physical Therapy Assistant. You must have one year of experience equivalent to the GS-08 level. Specialized experience includes, but is not limited to: 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 pre- determined patient goals by independently modifying techniques within the established plan of care; 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; 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; 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.

In addition, the candidate must demonstrate one of the following:

1. 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
2. (Advanced Practice Proficiency (APP) in the specialty area recognized by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA); or
3. (c) An additional academic degree related to the health care mission.

AND
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to meeting the experience or educational requirements for this grade level, the candidate must fully demonstrate the following KSAs:

• Ability to mentor other staff in advanced clinical guidelines and best practices.
• Ability to serve as a subject matter expert (SME) for healthcare providers in specialty practice areas regarding physical therapy care.
• Ability to present] advanced knowledge in the therapeutic interventions and clinical practice guidelines with the healthcare team.
• Ability to interpret and apply clinical practice guidelines.

References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G23. Physical Therapy Assistant Qualification Standard.

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-09.

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.