The Physical Therapist Assistant's (PTA) primary function is direct patient care. Treatment duties include a variety of interventions and treatment techniques, documentation as well as patient/family education, working under the general supervision of the Physical Therapy Supervisor at the Battle Creek Veterans Affairs Medical Center (BCVAMC).

Duties

The primary duties of this position include, but are not limited to: May be rotated to outpatient, inpatient acute or the Community Living Center (CLC) for short term rehabilitation or long-term care. Conducts educational programs to support the needs of patients Can provide and supervise clinical training experiences for PTA students. Use physical therapy data collection and assessment techniques in order to perform specific interventions and to monitor and capture progress of patient/client. Instruct patient on varied interventions to provide materials to enhance compliance with home program. Follow the established treatment plan, addressing the short and long-term goals. Document patient progress/change in status throughout treatment session. Modify treatment techniques based on the learning needs and perceptions of the patient. Coordinate and implement intervention plans in preventative health areas such as: energy conservation, joint protection, body mechanics, positioning, evaluating vital signs etc. Identify critical changes (e.g. vital signs, pain, mobility, and alertness) in patient conditions to determine their medical and functional status. Administer standardized tests (2 min walk test, manual muscle test, girth measurements, vital signs, goniometric measurements of distal joints). Coordinates the scheduling of patient treatment with other PM&RS therapists as well as with the nursing staff. Contributes to the maintenance of a safe, therapeutic environment in all clinical areas assigned. Maintains a high level of professional competence through participation in continuing education such as attending workshops and conferences, and through continuous review of medical-therapeutic literature. Participates in all service level staff meetings as well as service level educational programs. Presents contemporary topics/issues using current evidence and sound teaching principles in the form of case studies, in-services, journal article review, etc. Maintains current PTA License; Submits requirements for scope of practice timely and accurately. Utilizes non-treatment time for other appropriate duties such as clean-up, equipment cleaning/disinfecting and paperwork responsibilities. Demonstrate respectful customer service by taking care of the customers' needs: providing and delivering professional, helpful, high quality service and assistance before, during and after the customers' requirements are met. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM (will be expected to work Saturdays on a rotational basis if needed) Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: FS# 91656-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

IBASIC REQUIREMENTS. To qualify for appointment to this position, all applicants must possess the following: Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. ? 7407(a). Education. Individuals must meet at least one of the requirements below: 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. 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. Exceptions for Non-Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant. (applicable to the GS-05 grade only) 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). Non-licensed individuals shall only provide care under the direct supervision of a licensed PTA or PT who meets all state regulatory requirements. Non-licensed individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until licensure is obtained. Temporary appointments of non-licensed PTAs may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment. 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. 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. English Language Proficiency. PTA candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. ? 7403(f). Grandfathering Provision. 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: 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. 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. 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. 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 occupation. 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. Grade Determination: Select the one statement that best describes the experience that you possess that demonstrates your ability to perform Physical Therapy Assistant work in the Federal service.Physical Therapy Assistant, GS-05 Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. Physical Therapy Assistant, GS-06 Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of evidence based physical therapy practice Ability to perform physical therapy data collection and use of objective measures in order to carry out patient plan of care. Ability to modify treatment approaches, within the scope of the established treatment plans, to reflect patients' changing needs. Skill in promoting physical therapy services by providing training and interventions within the assigned areas. Physical Therapy Assistant, GS-07 Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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 Ability to consult with the PT to assess progress, modify treatment and set discharge plan. Physical Therapy Assistant, GS-08 Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs 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.??????? *The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application.

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 Battle Creek VA Medical Center 5500 Armstrong Road Battle Creek, MI 49037 US
• Name: Anthony Otis
• Phone: (561) 718-3039
• Email: [email protected]