This position is in the Physical Therapy (PT) Section within the Rehabilitation Care Line (RCL) of the VA Medical Center in Martinsburg, WV which is a Complexity Level 1c facility as defined by the 2017 VHA Facility Complexity Report. The Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) provides treatment that promotes the prevention, remediation, and rehabilitation of acute and chronic physical and psychosocial dysfunction.

Duties

The PTA is responsible for the treatment of patients referred from acute care, community living centers, domiciliary, and outpatient service areas as per the clinical direction of the Rehabilitation Supervisor. Provides in-service and clinical training programs as assigned by the Rehabilitation Supervisor. Designs, conducts, and evaluates education experiences for staff members, taking an active role in Journal Club, and seeks educational opportunities to enhance the Physical Therapy Section, RCL, and Medical Center. Establishes and maintains contact with other key staff involved in patient care via written, telephone, and personal communication on a regular basis at the Medical Center and VISN level. Develops and provides timely reports to the Rehabilitation Supervisor. Maintains timely data input utilizing care plans, initial assessments and/or specialty protocols as part of an ongoing process in coordination with other key interdisciplinary staff to provide effective patient care. Represents the Physical Therapy Section and RCL at various clinical and administrative meetings/rounds at the discretion of the Rehabilitation Supervisor. The PTA conducts comprehensive chart review to identify rehabilitation problems and establish treatment goals utilizing the most recent evidence based Physical Therapy practice. Conducts treatment planning and interventions, documentation, and follow-up visits within the acute care, community living centers, domiciliary, and outpatient settings, but may also support CBOC outpatient care, HBPC, and other settings prn. Demonstrates and maintains full competency in the use, pre-cleaning and/or reprocessing of reusable medical equipment. Must ensure that the appropriate Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and manufacturer's instructions are followed for any step in the use of RME (pre-cleaning, reprocessing, disinfection, sterilization, maintenance) in which the employee involved. Demonstrates competence in administering functional outcome measures as directed by the Physical Therapist. Work Schedule: M-F 8:00 am - 4:30 pm 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

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: 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 Grandfathering Provision 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). 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: (1)[ ] 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. (2)[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.] (3)[ ] 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. (4)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. (5)[ ] 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 GS 8 Grade Determinations: Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS 7. Candidate must demonstrate the following GS 7 grade level Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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.] In addition to the KSAs listed above the candidate must also be able to demonstrate the following GS 8 grade level 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. References: VA Handbook Part II Appendix G23 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 8. Physical Requirements: Use of fingers, both hands required; reaching above shoulder; walking (8 hours); standing (8 hours); both legs required (1 prosthetic); far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing (aid permitted), and mental and emotional stability.

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 Martinsburg VA Medical Center 510 Butler Avenue Martinsburg, WV 25405 US
• Name: Pamela Mays
• Phone: 681-219-9860
• Email: [email protected]