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The Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) (outpatient) is assigned to the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service's (PM&RS) Department of Physical Therapy at the Raymond G. Murphy VA Medical Center. The PTA (outpatient) collaborates with physical therapists, caregivers, providers, veterans and families regarding the treatment of patients, community services, assistive technology and equipment needs for older adult rehabilitation, including acute care, long term care, and outpatient settings.
06/06/2025 to 06/20/2025
$55,929 - $72,713 per year
GS 8
1 vacancy in the following location:
No
No
Not required
No
Permanent
Full-time
Excepted
None
No
No
CBSX-12742681-25-JW
838355000
Clinical Functions
- Incumbent is a physical therapy assistant who performs at the full performance level and is appropriately licensed; he/she performs all duties under the oversight of a licensed physical therapist.
- Incumbent is responsible for the management and maintenance of specialized physical therapy programs and regimens.
- Incumbent must possess advanced knowledge of treatment techniques in order to assess changes in physical, mental and/or medical status.
- Incumbent must possess advanced knowledge of physical therapy data collection and assessment techniques in order to perform specified aspects of patient evaluations and interventions.
- Incumbent conducts thorough medical chart reviews and participates in the planning and implementation of complex treatment programs. He/she applies highly specialized physical therapy procedures, techniques and interventions to patients.
- Incumbent modifies treatment approaches, within the scope of the established plan, to reflect patient's changing needs.
- Incumbent recognizes adverse reaction to treatment and initiates effective action immediately.
- Incumbent must coordinate several treatment approaches simultaneously to accomplish complex treatment objectives.
- Incumbent demonstrates knowledge of and compliance with all emergency and disaster procedures.
- Incumbent possesses the skills to instruct students and manage/coordinate a training and education program for PTA students. This includes development and tracking of training plans, scheduling, rotation assignments, performance feedback and direct participation in clinical education and training for PTA students.
- Incumbent identifies his/her continuing education needs, attends continuing education programs and reads professional literature for the purpose of maintaining or improving knowledge and skills for work performance.
- Incumbent maintains current working knowledge of available technology and equipment.
- Incumbent appropriately assesses patients for durable medical equipment, adaptive /assistive devices and other recommended therapeutic equipment.
- Incumbent involves the patient, family members, caregivers, and pertinent health care staff in the treatment process by maintaining effective communications.
- Incumbent plans and implements appropriate education of patients, families and caregivers regarding the disease and/or disability incurred and about the treatment intervention provided including resumption of life roles in the home and community environment.
- Incumbent instructs patients/caregivers in home exercise programs, rehabilitation techniques, activities of daily living and use of assistive devices/adaptive equipment as appropriate.
- Incumbent initiates and maintains ongoing communication with the supervising physical therapist(s) regarding all aspects of direct and indirect patient care needs. He/she makes recommendations regarding need for ongoing therapy services, need for referral to other services, need for additional input from supervising therapist, termination of therapy services, etc.
Administrative Duties
- Incumbent is responsible for the care, upkeep, and sanitation of equipment in assigned work environment. Must organize and maintain clinical and administrative space in order to optimize safety, infection control and efficiency.
- Incumbent assesses equipment needs of the department and maintains adequate stock of supplies and materials.
- Incumbent schedules his/her patients for treatment, considering priority and frequency of care and coordinates schedules with other members of the treatment team. Flexibility of schedule must be maintained to allow for unscheduled patients and unforeseen circumstances.
- Incumbent provides guidance and support to co-workers, students, and volunteers.
- Incumbent delegates duties to other support staff as appropriate.
- Incumbent complies with all policies regarding documentation and coding of patient care.
- Incumbent demonstrates knowledge of computer skills for completion of documentation and other responsibilities as required.
- Incumbent attends and participates in all mandatory departmental staff meetings and training sessions.
- Maintains communication with Therapy Supervisor in regards to equipment malfunctioning, depletion and request of supplies, suggestions for new programming, program and/or departmental improvement, problems with patients/families/peers.
- Incumbent performs all other related duties as assigned.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm or 8:30am to 5:00pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
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.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:
Physical Therapy Assistant, GS-8
(1) Experience. [One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade.
(2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
(a) Ability to independently implement treatment plan using knowledge of techniques related to the patient's disability and needs.
(b) 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.).
(c) 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.
(d) Ability to instruct patient on varied interventions to provide materials to enhance compliance with home programs.
(e) Ability to modify treatment techniques based on the learning needs and perceptions of the patient.
(f) Ability to identify critical changes (e.g. vital signs, pain, mobility and alertness) in patient conditions to determine their medical and functional status. (g) 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.
Preferred Experience: Prefer 1 or more years experience in Outpatient settings where individuals work with adults.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
Physical Requirements: Work is sedentary but also demands standing, walking, bending, twisting, and carrying light items.
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
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.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 06/20/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12742681.
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
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NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/838355000. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.