Incumbent serves as a Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) assigned to the Geriatrics and Extended Care Service for the VA Boston Healthcare System (VA BHS). This position is a full-time at 40 hours per week. The primary function of this position is to participate with the supervising Physical Therapist (PT) in the planning and implementation of both simple and complex treatment programs and apply physical therapy procedures under the general supervision of a PT.

Duties

Some duties may include: Completes a review of patient data, including medical history and review of physical therapy evaluation. independently implement treatment plan using knowledge of techniques related to the patient's disability and needs in collaboration with the supervising PT. Provides physical therapy procedures within a broad diagnostic spectrum of diseases and disorders. Progresses patients toward the rehabilitation goals for those with both simple and complex medical problems independently. Independently provides a varied and multifaceted Physical Therapy interventions based on the established care plan to include but not limited to therapeutic exercise, balance, body mechanics, flexibility, strength, gait training, neuromotor development, physical agents, and functional training, manual therapy, application adaptive/assistive equipment and braces, wheelchair management and training, and patient and family/caregiver education, nursing staff education, and community re-integration. Using a wide variety of evidence-based treatment techniques and modalities. Independently implements selected components of interventions identified in the plan of care established by the PT. Identify contraindications, precautions, and appropriateness of treatment prescribed by supervising PT and consults with supervising PT if these are in question. Incumbent has understanding that patients often have multiple physical/medical and psycho-social deficits which necessitate modifying treatment techniques to meet specific and unique patient needs. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, Rotating Weekends. Shift hours to be determined. Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: F04992 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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: 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. English Language Proficiency. PTA candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English. 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-9: (1) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate one of the following: (a) A minimum of 2000 hours of clinical practice directly in the specialty area, and completion of 60 contact hours of selected continuing education coursework. This time must be within the past five years; or (b) Advanced Practice Proficiency (APP) in the specialty area recognized by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA); or (c) An additional academic degree related to the health care mission. (2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Ability to mentor other staff in advanced clinical guidelines and best practices. (b) Ability to serve as a subject matter expert (SME) for healthcare providers in specialty practice areas regarding physical therapy care. (c) Ability to present] advanced knowledge in the therapeutic interventions and clinical practice guidelines with the healthcare team. (d) Ability to interpret and apply clinical practice guidelines. (3) Assignment. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty) and variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. PTAs at this level apply advanced practice skills to treat complex patients. PTAs possess an advanced level of clinical competence and serve as a SME in specialty practice areas. They serve as a subject matter expert in a rehabilitation program such as, but not limited to, geriatrics, amputee, brain injury, cardiac rehabilitation, orthopedics, neurological, safe patient handing, or any other functional debilitative conditions. They possess advanced practice skills and experience with a wide range of patient complexity. They apply advanced methodologies to a vast array of functional impairments and patients. They independently recommend and apply evidence-based treatment approaches within the plan of care. This position is above full performance level. Physical Requirements: The work requires frequent standing, stooping, bending, walking, handling of wheelchairs and/or other durable medical equipment, lifting in conjunction with treatment of patients. At times, there may be undue heavy lifting due to unforeseen circumstances such as preventing a patient from falling. Dexterity and skill in safe machinery techniques are 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 Boston Healthcare System 940 Belmont Street Brockton, MA 02301 US
• Name: Steven Laudenbach
• Phone: (603) 624-4366 X5078
• Email: [email protected]