Position is located in the Physical Therapy Section of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) in the VA Medical Center, Salem, Virginia. The Supervisory Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) provides direct patient care and provides clinical and administrative supervision to the Salem VA HCS Physical Therapist Assistants. The duties and responsibilities of this position are carried out within the Salem VA HCS

Duties

DUTIES: Clinical Duties (75%): The PTA administers and monitors therapeutic interventions based on goals/plan of care formulated by a Physical Therapist. Incumbent independently implements the plan of care, advances the program, and continually reviews the patient's condition to determine their medical and functional status. Evidence based skilled interventions include, but are 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. Meets 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. Collaboratively develops progressive types of skilled physical therapy interventions. Independently modifies treatment techniques based on the learning needs and/or perceptions of patients. Varies procedures or positions to adjust for Veterans' medical conditions. Modifies intervention environment, tools, materials, and activities in response to each Veteran's response to treatment. With prior approval of the therapist, adapts the technical procedures and approaches involving new and unusual treatment and rehabilitation objectives to meet the individual Veteran's needs. Modifies or adapts specialized treatment approaches within the scope of the established treatment plan to reflect the changing needs of the Veteran. Identifies patients' critical changes (e.g., vital signs, pain, mobility, alertness) to determine their medical and functional status. Communicates critical changes to the physical therapist and/or other members of the healthcare team. Administrative and Supervisory Duties (25%): Provides leadership to the PTAs and volunteers assigned to PT, and acts as the liaison between the PTA staff and PT Section Chief. Assigns work to the PTA staff in a systematic and fair manner. Monitors workload and clinical volume. Monitors clinic access and productivity of individuals and the team. Participates in structuring the clinics to optimize access to PTA care for Veterans and fair distribution of work. Reviews completion of work assignments and ensures staffing is sufficient for clinical needs. Monitors leave schedules to ensure equitable workload distribution. Authorizes leave for team members. Adjusts staffing in accordance with established priorities by recommending tour of duty changes, overtime or compensatory time for PTAs. Meets with PTA team members on a regular basis to discuss staff needs and pertinent issues. Communicates and coaches the PTA staff or individual members in identifying the parameters of a viable solution and ensures that the organization's vision is integrated into the team's goals, strategies, activity plans and work products. Completes the following human resources activities: Enters staffing requests to the personnel management committee, participates in the interview and selection process for new appointments, recommends appointments, advancements, or, when appropriate, disciplinary actions. Works with the appropriate HR staff for Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) requests, Reasonable Accommodation (RA) requests and disciplinary actions. Participates in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) monthly staff meetings, quality management meetings, safety meetings as well as interdisciplinary team meetings as required. Assists in solving problems which may interfere with the delivery of PT by staff members Supervisory Controls Incumbent works under the authority of the Chief, PM&RS, and the supervision of the Supervisory Physical Therapist. The Supervisory Physical Therapist assigns work by defining objectives, priorities, and deadlines and provides guidance on therapy assignments that do not have clear precedents. The completed work is reviewed periodically for appropriateness, conformance to the department's policies and requirements and effectiveness in meeting goals. Work Schedule: 7:45am-4:30pm Monday-Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY

Requirements

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. 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 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: GS10: Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the lower grade. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a)Knowledge of contemporary physical therapy across multiple areas of practice. (b)Ability to apply knowledge of contemporary physical therapy to provide clinical guidance to PTAs within the department. (c)Knowledge of human resources management, including such functions as the ability to interview and select qualified applicants, monitor and evaluate performance, and maintain effective labor management relations within scope of responsibility. (d)Ability to supervise a diverse PTA staff or others under their direction to include setting priorities, delegating tasks and solving problems in order to meet multiple deadlines and identifying/addressing organizational problems (e)Skill in forging positive interpersonal relationships and conflict resolution. (f)Ability to analyze clinically appropriate data effectively to optimize quality, performance and productivity within the section. (g)Ability to manage advocacy roles and planning activities within the rehabilitation community References: A Handbook 5005/139 January 28, 2021 PART II APPENDIX G23 The full performance level of this vacancy is 10. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 10. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019,

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 Salem VA Medical Center 1970 Roanoke Boulevard Salem, VA 24153 US
• Name: Kera Madden
• Phone: 540-982-2463 X2770
• Email: [email protected]