Summary

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.

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
• c
• 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
• (1) Exceptions for Non-Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant
• (a) Non-licensed applicants who otherwise meet the minimum qualification requirements - but who do not possess state licensure - may be appointed - pending licensure - as a graduate PTA on a full-time temporary appointment under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7401(a)(1)(B) and not to exceed two years in accordance with the timeframe in 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B)
• (b) Non-licensed individuals shall only provide care under the direct supervision of a licensed PTA or PT who meets all state regulatory requirements
• (c) Non-licensed individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may 3 not be promoted/converted until licensure is obtained
• (d) Temporary appointments of non-licensed PTAs may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment
• (e) Failure to Obtain Licensure
• In all cases - non-licensed PTAs must actively pursue meeting requirements for licensure starting from the date of their appointment
• At the time of appointment - the supervisor will provide the non-licensed PTA with the written requirements for licensure - including the time by which the license must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming licensed by the deadline
• Failure to obtain licensure during this time period may result in termination of employment
• (2) Loss of Credential
• A PTA who fails to maintain the required licensure must be removed from the occupation - which may also result in termination of employment
• d
• Grandfathering Provision
• Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education and/or licensure/certification/ registration requirements that apply to this occupation
• All individuals employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series performing the duties as described in the qualification standard] on the effective date of the qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held - including positive education and licensure/trademark/registration/certification
• For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard - but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it - the following provisions apply: (1) Employees may be reassigned - promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level or changed to lower grade within the occupation - but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions
• (2) Employees in an occupation requiring a licensure/certification/registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/certification/registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher-grade levels
• (3) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed - on a temporary or permanent basis - until they fully meet the basic requirements of this standard
• (4) Employees who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the 4 occupation
• (5) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation - who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation
• 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.

Duties

• 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