This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Duties

Incumbent serves as a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) assigned to the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation service (PM&RS) with responsibilities in Geriatric and Extended Care for the VA Healthcare System. The position will serve in the capacity as an active movement specialist and care assistant. The primary function is direct patient care under the supervision of a Physical Therapist (PT). The PTA will deliver care to individuals and groups of Veterans in the inpatient setting. Patients may present with complex medical histories and multiple comorbidities. They may have impairments, activity/functional limitations, participation restrictions and disabilities related to those conditions. When providing patient care, the incumbent performs the full range of functions stated below for adult and geriatric patients under the general supervision of a PT. The incumbent will administer physical therapy programs to adult and geriatric patients referred from all areas of the medical center but will spend at least 25% of their time working in the specialty area. PTAs at this level apply advanced practice skills to treat complex patients. Incumbent possesses an advanced level of clinical competence and serve as a subject matter expert in the specialty practice area. 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 handling, 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. Assigned responsibilities fall primarily in the following areas: participate with the PT in the planning and implementing of complex treatment programs, apply PT procedures to patients and provide patient and family/caregiver training and education, and provide treatment that promotes the prevention and remediation of acute and chronic physical and psychosocial dysfunction. The PTA administers and monitors therapeutic interventions based on goals formulated by a PT, but must be able to carry out a general treatment plan without the direct involvement of a PT. The PTA will serve in a novel hybrid care assistant/mobility specialist role in collaboration with the Geriatrics & Extended Care (GEC) Service. The PTA will assist with morning and/or evening ADLs, specifically encouraging, and facilitating skilled mobility to maximize the Veteran's participation with the goal of maintaining their functional capabilities. This includes hygiene, assistance to and from the bathroom, in/out of bed, in/out of the Veteran's preferred seated surface, ambulation, or wheelchair mobility. Additionally, the PTA will coordinate care and preparedness of the Veteran to maximize their participation in recreational and mobility activities offered. This includes having the Veteran ready to participate as well as accompanying them to and from the activities of their choice, facilitating mobility opportunities within the activity as they deem appropriate based on their clinical expertise. The PTA will also provide exercise and mobility opportunities to Veterans throughout the day, as time allows, and as they deem appropriate based on their clinical expertise. The PTA will be supervised by the PT who will be available for consultation and communication daily and as needed. The PTA will also recruit participants and conduct mobility programs for the Veterans including a walking program, wheelchair program, and exercise program. Incumbent must adhere to the facility's rules, policies, and procedures and to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics to ensure quality patient care. Work Schedule: Tues, Wed, Fri 0700-1630; Thurs 1030-2000; every other Sunday 0800-1630; holiday rotation. Compressed/Flexible:Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: F04992 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP): 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. Preferred Experience: Subacute and/or long-term care experience, skills in managing individuals with dementia and/or cognitive disorders and leading group exercise, leadership and self-directed This position is above full performance level. References: VHA Handbook 5005/139, Part II, Appendix G23; GS-9 Physical Therapy Assistant 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]