The physical therapy assistant (PTA) is assigned to the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service's (PM&RS) Department of Physical Therapy. PTA provides a full range of patient care services, education, and research. Collaborates with physical therapists, caregivers, providers, veterans and families in regards to treatment of patients, community services, assistive technology and equipment needs for older adult rehabilitation as it pertains to the Physical Therapy care plan.

Duties

Clinical Functions Performs at the full performance level and is appropriately licensed; he/she performs all duties under the oversight of a licensed physical therapist. Responsible for the management and maintenance of specialized physical therapy programs and regimens. Conducts thorough medical chart reviews and participates in the planning and implementation of complex treatment programs. He/she applies highly specialized physical therapy procedures, techniques and interventions to patients. Modifies treatment approaches, within the scope of the established plan, to reflect patient's changing needs. Recognizes adverse reaction to treatment and initiates effective action immediately. Coordinates several treatment approaches simultaneously to accomplish complex treatment objectives. Maintains current working knowledge of available technology and equipment. Assesses patients for durable medical equipment, adaptive /assistive devices and other recommended therapeutic equipment. Incumbent is responsible for procurement of said equipment/devices, issuance of equipment, education and training in equipment set-up, features, routine use, troubleshooting, cleaning, infection control practices and maintenance with proper documentation. Involves the patient, family members, caregivers, and pertinent health care staff in the treatment process by maintaining effective communications. Plans and implements appropriate education of patients, families and caregivers regarding the disease and/or disability incurred and about the treatment intervention provided including resumption of life roles in the home and community environment. Instructs patients/caregivers in home exercise programs, rehabilitation techniques, activities of daily living and use of assistive devices/adaptive equipment as appropriate. Initiates and maintains ongoing communication with the supervising physical therapist(s) regarding all aspects of direct and indirect patient care needs. He/she makes recommendations regarding need for ongoing therapy services, need for referral to other services, need for additional input from supervising therapist, termination of therapy services, etc. Communicates readily with the multidisciplinary treatment team, advising the team of patient's needs and progress, exchanging discharge planning information with them. Initiates appropriate referrals to physicians and other clinicians/services as indicated. Administrative Duties Responsible for the care, upkeep, and sanitation of equipment in assigned work environment. Must organize and maintain clinical and administrative space in order to optimize safety, infection control and efficiency. Assesses equipment needs of the department and maintains adequate stock of supplies and materials. Schedules his/her patients for treatment, considering priority and frequency of care and coordinates schedules with other members of the treatment team. Flexibility of schedule must be maintained to allow for unscheduled patients and unforeseen circumstances. Provides guidance and support to co-workers, students, and volunteers. Delegates duties to other support staff as appropriate. Complies with all policies regarding documentation and coding of patient care. Attends and participates in all mandatory departmental staff meetings and training sessions. Incumbent plans and presents in-service education programs, when requested to the PT section, PM&R staff, and other services, as appropriate. Maintains communication with Therapy Supervisor in regards to equipment malfunctioning, depletion and request of supplies, suggestions for new programming, program and/or departmental improvement, problems with patients/families/peers. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:00AM - 4:30PM 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: (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. 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. Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 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). 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: (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. Grade Determinations: In addition to basic requirements, the following criteria must be used when determining appropriate grade assignments of candidates. GS-08 Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level of GS-07. Experience must have required use of knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with current scope of Physical Therapy Assistant practice. Experience must have been gained as a licensed physical therapy assistant. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. You must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Ability to independently implement treatment plan using knowledge of techniques related to the patient's disability and needs. (b) 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.). (c) 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. (d) Ability to instruct patient on varied interventions to provide materials to enhance compliance with home programs. (e) Ability to modify treatment techniques based on the learning needs and perceptions of the patient. (f) Ability to identify critical changes (e.g. vital signs, pain, mobility and alertness) in patient conditions to determine their medical and functional status. (g) 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 5005, PART II, Appendix G23, Physical Therapy Assistant Qualification Standard GS-0636, dated January 28, 2021 Physical Requirements: The work involves regular and recurring physical exertion with varying periods of sitting, standing, bending, walking, squatting/stooping, twisting, climbing stairs, pushing, pulling, grasping and reaching over shoulders. Fine manipulation, including keyboarding, is required intermittently. Lifting required in transferring of patients.

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 Raymond G Murphy Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 1501 San Pedro Drive, Southeast Albuquerque, NM 87108 US
• Name: Evelyn Gaynor
• Email: [email protected]