This position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Mid Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6), Richmond VA Medical Center (VAMC), in the Recreation Therapy Section under the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS). The Recreation Therapy Program is designed to provide an opportunity for all patients served at the medical center to participate in constructive therapeutic and leisure experiences.

Duties

Plan and carry out direct patient care activities in accordance to the individual and group treatment plans for the rehabilitation of patients with physical and psychiatric conditions. Responsible for conducting and educating volunteers and Interns, work study program students to the overall program and provides orientation on the effective use of equipment to meet the treatment goals. Provide training to staff, volunteers, and Interns, work study program students on Infection Control measures to deliver direct patient care activities within health standards by teaching them how to use health devices. Organize educational materials and ensures that patients are educated on the effective use of the equipment to meet their treatment goals. Evaluate patient's response to therapeutic activity and reports to pertinent therapist. Document response in Recreational Therapy (RT) template in the the CPRS record with co signature of assigned Recreation Therapist. Assist Recreation Therapists in carrying out special therapeutic activities by providing adequate material, equipment and coordinating all arrangements needed to provide activities to patients. Work Schedule: Various to include; Evenings, Weekends and Holidays Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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: (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. English Language Proficiency. PTA candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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). 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). IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements outlined in paragraph 3, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Grade Determinations: [Physical Therapy Assistant], GS-6 Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade. Experience in working in a clinic/rehabilitation field - Experience in clinical documentation - Knowledge in regard to proper use of interventive modalities and adaptive equipment. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/139 PART II APPENDIX G23 Physical Requirements: Work requires physical health, normal use of arms and legs, and good visual and auditory acuity. Prolonged standing bending, kneeling, reaching, gripping, and walking are regular. Moderate to heavy lifting (between 5-50 pounds) is required for assisting patients. Sitting is required for meetings, and administrative work.

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 Central Virginia VA Health Care System 1201 Broad Rock Boulevard Richmond, VA 23249 US
• Name: Delores Harris
• Phone: 919-956-5541
• Email: [email protected]