This position is located in the Physical Therapy (PT) department of the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, Lakeland Clinic. PTAs at this level is a subject matter expert who serves as a mentor and clinical instructor within educational programs and their area of practice. The duties and responsibilities of this position are carried out onsite and include various clinical, administrative and patient care areas associated with PM&RS.

Duties

PTAs at this level must possess a minimum of 2000 hours of clinical practice directly in the specialty area, and completion of 60 contact hours of selected continuing education coursework, Advanced Practice Proficiency (APP) in the specialty area recognized by the American physical Therapy Association (APTA); or an additional academic degree related to the health care mission. The PTAs at this level receive guidance as needed from the Physical Therapy Manager, Supervisory Physical Therapist, Lead Physical Therapist, Physical Therapists in the area to which they are assigned. The duties and responsibilities of this position are carried out throughout the hospital and satellite clinics including various clinical, administrative and patient care areas associated with PM&RS. - This PTA receives and interprets instructions for procedures from the physical therapist. They plan and implements specialized treatment programs and applies physical therapy procedures to patients under the general supervision of a physical therapist. Employee may assign or oversee the work of lower graded assistants to accommodate requests. - This PTA may complete specified aspects of patient examination as requested by the physical therapist, compiles and organizes pertinent information, to be used in assessing patient's status. He/she assists with or renders a course of treatment based on the assessed needs of the patient, developing progressive physical therapy treatment programs. This is done in consultation with a physical therapist. - This PTA assists the physical therapist in development of a comprehensive specialized treatment plan that includes long and short term goals. Incumbent demonstrates advanced knowledge of physical therapy data collection and ongoing assessment techniques in order to perform specified aspects of patient interventions. - This PTA serves as a subject matter expert in a rehabilitation setting that may include, but is not limited to, geriatrics, amputee, brain injury, cardiac rehabilitation, orthopedics, neurological, safe patient handling, or pelvic health. - This PTA assists in the performance of, or independently performs, highly specialized and diversified treatment procedures. They utilizes the full range of modalities including, but not limited to: heat, cold, sound, electricity, and massage. Incumbent administers non-complex active and passive therapeutic procedures. This PTA fits, adjusts and instructs patients in use of orthoses, prostheses, and mobility appliances. He/she instructs motivates, and assists patients to learn activities of daily living and improve functional activities. The PTA prepares and maintains appropriate equipment and supplies required for these treatments. - This PTA may independently operate specialty equipment per plan of the treating Physical Therapist. Test interpretation and assessment will be provided by the treating Physical Therapist who will adjust the treatment plan as needed and communicate this to the PTA who may inform the patient. - This PTA is highly skilled in the varying procedures or positions in consideration of patient's medical conditions. Modifies intervention environment, tools, materials, and activities in response to each veteran's tolerance to treatment. - They incorporates, modifies, or adapts evidence-based treatment approaches and clinical practice guidelines within the scope of the established treatment plan and in consideration of patient's medical conditions. - This PTA motivates veterans and family members to participate in treatment plans and comply with indicated regimens and post-discharge activities. He/she interacts with the patient and family regarding goals for treatment. - This PTA prepares and presents written and oral reports for fellow therapists and all other professionals concerned with the patient's care. He/she participates in family and multidisciplinary team meetings to identify patient's needs, report on patient's progress, and to assist in planning patient's treatment program and goals. - Incumbent may provide independent patient education to patients and their caregivers and select and train patients and caregivers in appropriate gait assistive devices, non-specialty wheelchairs and lifts. - This PTA maintains a high level of competence through participation in continuing education programs. Specialized training is required for participation in some programs such as aquatic program. - This PTA serves as Clinical Instructor for PTA students and as a resource for other staff members within their area of clinical expertise and may assist with the supervision and training of volunteers, work students and other healthcare practitioners. - This PTA performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 7:30am - 4 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY

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; 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. Grade Determinations: Physical Therapy Assistant, GS-9 Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate one of the following: 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 Advanced Practice Proficiency (APP) in the specialty area recognized by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA); or An additional academic degree related to the health care mission. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to mentor other staff in advanced clinical guidelines and best practices. Ability to serve as a subject matter expert (SME) for healthcare providers in specialty practice areas regarding physical therapy care. Ability to present] advanced knowledge in the therapeutic interventions and clinical practice guidelines with the healthcare team. Ability to interpret and apply clinical practice guidelines. 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: Advanced Practice Proficiency (APP) in the specialty area recognized by the American physical Therapy Association (APTA); or an additional academic degree related to the health care mission. References: VA Handbook 5005/139 Part II Appendix G23 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. This position is above the full performance level. Physical Requirements: The physical demands of a Physical Therapist are considered "medium duty: with regards to strength and endurance according to the Department of Labor. Medium work entails exerting 20-50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and /or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Positional tolerance is required as follows: Frequent standing, walking, bending, sitting, crouching/kneeling, and changing from one position to the other frequently throughout the day. Sitting at a desk and using upper extremities to reach, grasp, and place papers, charts, and binders. Reaching, lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling: 1-10 pounds constantly, 10-25 pounds frequently, and 20-50 pounds occasionally. Physical Therapy requires good manual dexterity to manipulate tools and equipment with examples that may include, but are not limited to the following: Operating all aspects of a computer - keyboarding, mouse, and control buttons. Demonstrating the use of all aspects of adaptive equipment for patient instruction. Assembling equipment with the use of hand tools such as screwdrivers and pliers. Treatment using specifically designed tools for soft tissue manipulation or exercise sessions.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application.

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/.

Contacts

• Address James A Haley Veterans Hospital 13000 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard Tampa, FL 33612 US
• Name: Karen McKee
• Phone: 352-548-6000 X105242
• Email: [email protected]