The Primary Purpose of the Position is: To assist with administration of clinical rehabilitation treatments in a specialty clinical setting (which may include but is not limited to: neurology, orthopedics, geriatrics, cardiopulmonary, TBI/Polytrauma, amputees, wound care, clinical electrophysiology, home health, sports physical therapy, and others).

Duties

Duties include but not limited to: Clinical Functions: Patient Care Coordinates patient care in the Community Living Center (CLC) and Comprehensive Integrated Inpatient Rehabilitation (CIIRP) programs . Completes an in-depth chart review of patient data, to implement treatment plans and identify appropriateness of physical therapy intervention. Independently utilizes standardized screening tests and objective measures, to screen patients designated by physical therapist (PT) as possible candidates for physical therapy services or as part of the physical therapy assessment process. Serves as a PTA subject matter expert for Geriatric rehabilitation programs in CLC/CIIRP. PTA coordinates patients' needs with interdisciplinary team members and adapts schedule to meet unscheduled treatments when situation arises. Participates in the development of physical therapy complex treatment plans and provides physical therapy services as specified by the physical therapy plan of care. Demonstrates ability to motivate 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. Administrative functions include: Understand and adheres to service, program and facility policies and procedures. Maintains flexible schedule and adjusts when unforeseen situations arise (e.g. patients schedule conflicts, team conferences, families' inquiries, unscheduled discharge, program/clinic meetings, etc.). May assist as needed in variety of clinics based on workload demands. Identifies, collects and analyzes appropriate patient care information to provide a data base to develop performance evaluation system(s) and Process Improvement activities related to program/clinic area. Ensures patient privacy and confidentiality by following established policies and procedures (Privacy Act, Release of Information, HIPPA, etc). Education and Research duties: Keeps up with current concepts and trends in Physical Therapy and evidence-based medicine/rehabilitation practices through literature reviews, study of current research, clinical practice, and through attendance to continuing education courses, conferences and in-services. Presents advanced knowledge in therapeutic interventions and clinical practice guidelines with the healthcare team. Performs as a Clinical Instructor for Physical Therapy Assistant students as assigned. Assists clinical educators in developing and upgrading student training program content in assigned program and/or specialty area. Participates in community, facility and/or service education projects by conducting in- service programs for other disciplines, setting up in-services for clinic/program and/or developing patient education printed materials. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30a.m. - 4:00p.m. Occasional coverage on weekend day hours if needed. 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: Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may 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 Proficiency. PTA candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Grade Determinations: GS-9 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. Demonstrated KSAs. 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. Preferred Experience: 5 years of experience as a Physical Therapy Assistant treating patients in an inpatient subacute rehabilitation setting. 5 years of experience as a Physical Therapy Assistant treating patients in a CARF accredited acute rehabilitation setting. Experience educating Veterans on proper use of ambulatory devices including walkers and wheelchairs (power and manual). Experience treating geriatric Veterans with orthopedic, neurologic, amputation, and cardiorespiratory co-morbiities. References: VA Handbook 5005/1139 PART II APPENDIX G23, Dated January 28, 2021. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09. Physical Requirements: Should have the ability to perform physical activities: typing, walking, standing, bending, kneeling, reaching, moderate to heavy lifting, carrying; and to be on feet most of the day. Should have the ability to perform repetitive physical activities: o Up to 4 stooping 6 hours of the following: sitting, walking, standing, twisting, bending, g reaching, reaching overhead, grasping and pinching with hands and fine manipulation, such as typing/keyboarding ; Up to 1-2 hours of the following: straight pulling, puling hand over hand, pushing, climbing and kneeling. Required lifting light to moderate (up to 44 pounds) and carrying light to moderate (up to 44 pounds). - Required functional hearing with/without hearing aids, Near vision correctable at 13-16", Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, the ability to use both eyes, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors. - Use of fingers, both hands and use of both legs. - Sitting is required for meetings, administrative work and occasionally driving motor vehicle most of the day. The ability to drive is required. - The position demands significant physical stress and strain such as transferring patients, crouching and crawling on mats, and occasionally defending self against combative patients assigned to the incumbent.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

Contacts

• Address Dallas VA Medical Center 4500 South Lancaster Road Dallas, TX 75216 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]