This is the Physical Therapy Assistant in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&R) in the VA Palo Alto Health Care System. The Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) provides treatment that promotes the prevention, remediation, and rehabilitation of acute and chronic physical and psychosocial dysfunction.

Duties

VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY Major duties include but are not limited to: Received and interprets requests or instructions for procedures from the physical therapist. Plans and implements specialized treatment programs and applies physical therapy procedures to patients under the general supervision of a physical therapist. Completes a preliminary review/examination of patient date (including medical history), complies and organizes patient information, and develops/presents a patient profile to be used in assessing patient's status. Assist with or renders a course of treatment based on the assessed needs of the patient, developing progressive types of physical therapy treatment program. This is done in consultation with a physical therapist. Assist PT in development of a comprehensive specialized treatment plan that includes long and short term goals. Persuades and motivates veterans and family members to participate in treatment plans and comply with indicated regimens and post-discharge activities. Interacts with the patient and family regarding goals for treatment. Assist in the performance of, or independently performs highly specialized and diversified treatment procedures. Utilizes the full range of modalities including heat, cold, sound electricity, and massage. Administers non-complex active and passive therapeutic exercise. Fits, Adjusts, and instructs patients in the use of orthoses, prostheses, and mobility appliances. Instructs, motivates and assists patients to learn activities of daily living and improve functional activities. Prepares and maintains appropriate equipment and supplies required for treatments. Varies procedures or positions to adjust for veterans' medical conditions. Modifies intervention environment, tools and materials, and activities in response to treatment. With prior approval of the physical therapist, adapts the technical procedure and approaches involving new and unusual treatment and rehabilitation objectives to meet the individual veteran's needs. Modifies or adapts specialized treatment approaches within the scope of the established treatment plan to reflect the changing needs of the patient. Prepares and presents written and oral reports for the physicians, nursing staff, fellow therapists and all other professionals concerned with the patient care. Participates in family and multidisciplinary team meetings to identify patient needs, report on patient goals and progress and to assist in planning patient's treatment program. Maintains a safe work environment to include non-technical maintenance equipment, safety checks, cleaning. Develops safe work habits to prevent injury to patients, co-workers and self. Reports to Lead Physical Therapist the need for equipment or items necessary for patient treatment. Maintains a high level of competence through participation in continuing education programs. Assist with the supervision and training of student physical therapy assistants, volunteers and other healthcare practitioners. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Wednesday-Sunday, 8am-4:30pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000Financial 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. To qualify for appointment to this position, all applicants must possess the following: Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States 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. Grade Determinations: Physical Therapy Assistant, GS-8 Experience- One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate 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. Assignment. This is considered the journey level for PTAs. PTAs at this level collaborate with the primary PT then draw upon a broad base of practical knowledge and a well-developed treatment skill set in order to reach pre-determined patient goals by independently modifying techniques within the established plan of care. They implement the plan of care for patient cases, advance the program and continually review the patient's condition to determine their medical and functional status. They provide evidenced based skilled interventions including, but not limited to, therapeutic exercise, therapeutic activities, therapeutic modalities, gait training, transfer training, manual treatment, neuromuscular re-education, self-care and management training, patient/caregiver's education and group therapy. They meet with the physical therapy staff and other healthcare team members to evaluate and discuss patient information for planning, modifying and coordinating treatment programs and discharge planning. References: VA Handbook 5005/139 PART II APPENDIX G23 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-8 Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

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 Palo Alto VA Medical Center 3801 Miranda Avenue Palo Alto, CA 94304 US
• Name: Timothy McBrian
• Email: [email protected]