The physical therapist assistant (PTA) position is located within the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service for VA Portland Health Care System (VAPORHCS). VAPORHCS is a level 1a facility that includes Portland, Vancouver and associated CBOCs. The incumbent will serve in the capacity as an active movement specialist with the STRIDE program and/or the Whole Health program within the CLC and on the Vancouver campus.

Duties

Responsibilities of the physical therapy assistant are described in the following three areas: 1. Clinical A. The employee has completed education through an accredited Physical Therapist Assistant Program and provides direct patient care under the supervision of a physical therapist to provide services that promote prevention, remediation and rehab of acute and chronic physical dysfunctions. B. The PTA completes a preliminary review/exam of patient data; developing progressive types of therapy treatment programs done in consultation with a physical therapist or physician. C. Employee provides and monitors therapeutic activities and interventions based on goals established by a Physical Therapist but must be able to carry out a direct treatment plan without supervision of a physical therapist. Duties and responsibilities are carried out within various clinical, administrative and patient care areas associated with PM&RS. D. The PTA is able to collect data, deliver physical therapy treatments and plan and implement appropriate treatment. They demonstrate knowledge of issues related to patient safety in order to limit unnecessary risk in the course of their treatment. E. The employee is skilled in written communication to document objective data, progress/change in status, discharge status and patient or caregiver education. Written communication is done in a timely fashion. F. Employee communicates with supervising PT to alert them to change in patient status. The PTA will communicate with multidisciplinary team through team meetings, ward rounds, written reports and formal communication such as conversations. G. PTA is responsible for the care, upkeep and sanitation of equipment used. Educational: A. Increases knowledge and skills by attending seminars, workshops, lectures and in-service meetings. B. Conducts in-service programs for the physical therapy section and other disciplines and shares knowledge of new or improved techniques with staff. C. Acts as a clinical instructor to physical therapist assistant students to fulfill their educational and professional requirements. 3. Administrative: A. Compiles statistical data, documents patient workloads, time utilization, quality improvement, and cost-effectiveness. B. Demonstrates ability to organize data, format data into a presentation, and present information pertinent to patient care in formal or informal settings. C. Works with patients and their families along with the supervisor, clinical manager, or chief of Rehabilitation Medicine when appropriate to resolve any patient concerns. D. Refers any problems/issues with equipment to a supervisor. E. Delegates certain patient care tasks to support staff while providing appropriate guidance and supervision. Organizes work related matters, schedules patients to meet next available appointment standards, and completes assigned tasks in a timely manner. F. Ensures proper supply levels are maintained for patient treatment. G. Understands and adheres to policies and procedures in the section manual. H. Employee works independently, under the supervision of a physical therapist. He/she is responsible for program and clinics to which he/she is assigned and confers with the supervisor at periodic intervals for the purpose of keeping him/her informed of problematic cases, workload and progress reports. I. Notes must be completed within required timelines: Inpatient/CRU/CLC: within one day or following workday if received on a Friday or holiday. Outpatient: one week. J. Adheres to scheduling policies and works to optimize clinical volume/group classes. K. Completes encounters & ICB collection per facility guidelines. Work Schedule: Mon - Fri 0800-1630 Compressed/Flexible:No Telework: Ad Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

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. 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. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. English Language Proficiency. PTA candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. ? 7403(f). GRADE DETERMINATION. In addition to the basic requirements outlined in paragraph 3, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Physical Therapy Assistant, GS-05 (1) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. (2) Assignment. This is the entry level developmental position. PTAs receive ongoing guidance from more experienced staff members and require general clinical [direction] by the treating physical therapist. The [treating] physical therapist is available on a regularly scheduled basis to review the practice of the PTAs and support the PTAs in the performance of their services. PTAs perform preliminary chart review including medical history and contraindications for treatment. They treat patients through basic exercise, massage, gait and balance training and other therapeutic interventions. PTAs recommend changes in treatment based on changes in physical, mental and/or medical status of the patient. PTAs instruct, motivate and assist patients to learn and improve functional activities. Physical Therapy Assistant, GS-6 (1) Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade. (2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of evidence based physical therapy practice. (b) Ability to perform] physical therapy data collection and use of objective measures in order to carry out patient plan of care. (c) Ability to modify treatment approaches, within the scope of the established treatment plans, to reflect patients' changing needs. (d) Skill in promoting physical therapy services by providing training and interventions within the assigned areas. (3) Assignment. PTAs at this grade level serve [in developmental positions] [under general direction from PTAs. They receive ongoing guidance from more experienced staff members and require general clinical [direction by the treating physical therapist. PTAs develop a broad base of practical knowledge to assist the PT in reaching pre-determined patient goals. Physical Therapy Assistant, GS-7 (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 perform in depth chart review to implement treatment plans. (b) Ability to independently use objective measures to assess progress, in accordance with the plan of care for complex patient cases. (c) Knowledge of contemporary physical therapy practice. (d) Ability to consult with the PT to assess progress, modify treatment and set discharge plan. (3) Assignment. This is a developmental level for PTAs. PTAs receive ongoing guidance from more experienced staff members and receive general direction by the treating PT. PTAs draw upon a broad base of practical and experiential knowledge in order to assist the PT in reaching pre-determined patient goals. PTAs work independently but still under the general direction of PTAs. They observe patients' ability to perform specified tasks in order to provide ongoing assessment of information on patients' physical and functional status. PTAs work with the physical therapy staff to assess progress, modify treatment and set discharge plan. They provide clinical direction for PTA students. 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. (3) Assignment. This is considered the journey level for PTAs. PTAs at this level 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 predetermined patient goals by independently modifying techniques within the established plan of care. They 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. They 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. They 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. Preferred Experience: Preferred candidate will have experience as a PTA assistant working in the rehab setting, working with groups and experience with yoga/tai chi. References: VA Handbook 5005/139 PART II APPENDIX G23 The full performance level of this vacancy is 8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-8.. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 Ibs and over, Straight pulling, 1 hrs, Pushing, 1hr, reaching above shoulders, use of fingers, both hands required, Walking, 4 hrs, Standing 3 hrs, Kneeling, 1 hr, Repeated bending, 1 hr, Climbing, 1 hr, Both legs required, Operate motor vehicle, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordinating simultaneous, near vision correctable at 13 to 16 to jaeger 1 to 4, far vision in one eye 20/50 and to 20/100 in other, hearing aid permitted, mental and emotional stability required.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address VA Portland Health Care System 3710 Southwest US Veterans Hospital Road Portland, OR 97239 US
• Name: Artan Hoxha
• Phone: 5032208262 X58486
• Email: [email protected]