Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position.

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Major Duties:
- Under the general direction of a PT, the PTA completes a preliminary review/examination of patient data (including medical history), compiles and organizes pertinent information, and develops/presents a patient profile to be used by the physical therapist in assessing a patient's status, ascertaining the patient's need for physical therapy services, and develop treatment goals.
- Independently implements and coordinates the physical therapy plan of care as established by the physical therapist. Modifies treatment approaches, within the scope of the established treatment plan, to reflect patients' changing needs. Performs tests and measures to document patient progress.
- Examples of treatment given by this staff physical therapist assistant include therapeutic exercises for increasing strength, endurance, coordination, range of motion, inhibition and/or stimulation to facilitate motor activity and learning, and application of physical agents/modalities. Instructs patients in use of assistive devices, and adaptive appliances.
- Maintains records and progress notes on all patients treated, submits necessary reports to Unit Clinical Specialist, attends staff meetings, team meetings and ward rounds, attends in-service training courses deemed necessary by the Lead Physical Therapist or by the Unit Clinical Specialist in the program area.
- Communicates patient's progress towards goals and changes in patient's status to primary physical therapist. Follows Rehabilitation Services documentation guidelines and timelines for therapist reassessment of patient.
- Plans and implements appropriate patient education programs involving the patient, family and significant others in the instructional process.
- Communicates readily with the multidisciplinary treatment team advising the team of patient's needs and progress, exchanging discharge planning information with them; this communication occurs through team meetings, ward rounds, written reports and informal communication, such
as personal and telephone conversations.
- Assists the clinical education coordinator in arranging and providing educational experiences for physical therapist assistant students that affiliate at the facility assists with the assessment of the student's performance to evaluate capabilities to function as a physical therapist assistant.
- Performs non-technical maintenance of equipment to prevent malfunctions. Maintains treatment area in a safe, orderly manner. Assesses equipment needs and maintains adequate stock of supplies and materials. Recognizes potentially hazardous situations and takes corrective action.
- Participates in performance improvement activities. Updates knowledge of contemporary practice in physical therapy through continuing education courses, journal article reviews, and in-service training. Demonstrates knowledge of evidence-based practice.
- Assists in providing patient coverage for absent staff members to ensure continuity and quality of care.
- Provides in-service training related to patient care to interdisciplinary team, therapy staff, or students in informal or formal presentations.
- Follows established Program and Division policies and procedures related to fire, disaster, and security measures. Participates as necessary in fire and emergency preparedness drills. Assists during emergency situations including initiating and/or assisting with CPR.
- Follows established procedures and policies in hazardous material handling/communication, equipment safety, infection control/universal fluid precautions, and other safety procedures that have been developed for Physical Therapy.
- Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 10564F
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.
• 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 evaluation.
• 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:

1. Citizenship. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
2. English Language Proficiency: spoken and written English language proficiency in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
3. Licensure: current, full, active, and unrestricted license to practice as a Physical Therapy Assistant in a state, territory, or commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia.
4. Education. Must meet at least one of the requirements below:

• An 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
• 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
• Graduate of military physical therapy assistant programs that meet the educational requirement and have successfully passed the NPTE for PTAs.

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).

GS-08 LEVEL GRADE REQUIREMENTS

Experience: One (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 level in the Federal service that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of this position. Specialized experience includes: ability to perform in depth chart review to implement treatment plans, ability to independently use objective measures to assess progress, in accordance with the plan of care for complex patient cases, knowledge of contemporary physical therapy practice, and the ability to consult with the PT to assess progress, modify treatment and set discharge plan.

Experience or interest working in outpatient orthopedic physical therapy preferred.

GS-8 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to independently implement treatment plan using knowledge of techniques related to the patient's disability and needs.
• 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.).
• 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.
• Ability to instruct patient on varied interventions to provide materials to enhance compliance with home programs.
• Ability to modify treatment techniques based on the learning needs and perceptions of the patient.
• Ability to identify critical changes (e.g. vital signs, pain, mobility and alertness) in patient conditions to determine their medical and functional status.
• 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

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

The vacancy is at the full performance level

Physical Requirements: The incumbent of the position will meet and maintain physical and drug test program requirements as required by hospital policy. There will be periods of walking and ambulating patients, providing patient transfers, some lifting of 50 pounds and supporting patients.

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.