• Performs a wide range of complex PTA duties requiring an advanced practical knowledge of physical therapy, evidence-based medicine and data collection to perform specific aspects of evaluations and interventions.
• Under the direction of the PT, plans, coordinates, and administers diverse physical therapy for wounded, ill and injured patients, as well as other beneficiaries, with a wide range of physical and behavioral health diagnoses and disabilities.
• Provides updated status in patient progress reports, as well as other administrative reports.
• Initiates, implements, plans, and recommends progressive treatment plan with consideration of patient’s neurological, surgical, sensory, respiratory, cardiac status, gait ability, posture, age and general health, under the supervision of the PT.
• Provides instruction to patients, family members and/or other health workers to perform selected treatment procedures and functional training activities.
• Tracks procedure’s effects on patients, long-and short-term effects of different types of therapy, and appropriateness of a specific therapy, noting overall trends in efficacy, reporting problems to supervisor.

Conditions of employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• Must possess and maintain current licensure in a state, territory, or the District of Columbia.
• This position has a Temporary duty (TDY) or business travel requirement of up to 25% of the time.
• This position is subject to a background investigation to determine your suitability for Federal employment.
• This position requires that you obtain and maintain a Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from, or in accordance with, the American Heart Association and American Red Cross. Advanced certification (e.g., ALS) does not supersede BLS.
• All applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
• This position is subject to a pre-employment screening, and random drug testing, to include testing based on reasonable suspicion and testing due to direct involvement with an on-duty accident.
• This position has mandatory seasonal influenza vaccination requirements and is subject to annual seasonal influenza vaccinations unless otherwise exempted for medical or religious reasons (documentation of exemption must be provided upon hire).
• Immunization screening is required. Hepatitis B immunization is required for all positions with direct patient contact. Applicants may be required to show proof of other immunizations depending on the type of position.
• This position requires the incumbent to have tuberculosis testing.
• This position requires the completion of a pre-employment Physical Examination and an annual examination thereafter to ensure the continued, required level of physical health and ability or fitness to perform the duties of the position.
• Moderate to heavy lifting over 40lbs pounds may be required.
• This position may require the incumbent to work on call during irregular work hours which may include evenings, weekends, holidays, and/or varying work schedules.
• This position requires shift work to provide coverage on evenings, weekends, holidays, or special situations. Employee shifts are rotated on a regularly scheduled basis.
• This position may require the incumbent to work on call during irregular work hours which may include evenings, weekends, holidays, and/or varying work schedules.
• This position has been designated Mission Essential. In the event of severe weather conditions or other such emergency type situations, the incumbent is required to report to work or remain at work as scheduled to support mission operations.
• Applicants must be able to fulfill non-privileged professional credential requirements.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and /or experience requirements described below. 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; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes implementing physical therapy treatment plans; and instructing
on physical therapy programs or providing status reports. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-05).

OR

Education: One full year of graduate level education in a field directly related to the work of the position, such as Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Kinesiotherapy, Sports Medicine, Exercise Science, or Kinesiology

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) by 9. Add the two percentages.

Licensure/Certification: A current, active, valid, and unrestricted license or certification as a Physical Therapy Assistant from a state, the District of Columbia, or a territory of the United States is required. (Note: You must attach a copy of your current, active, valid, and unrestricted license or certification.)

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position.

Veterans and Military Spouses will be considered along with all other candidates.