This is the Physical Therapy Assistant in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&R) in the VA Central California 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

FUNCTIONS OF POSITION Clinical Functions: - Incumbent is a physical therapy assistant who performs at the full performance level and is appropriately licensed; he/she performs all duties under the oversight of a licensed physical therapist. - Incumbent is responsible for the management and maintenance of specialized physical therapy programs and regimens. - Incumbent must possess advanced knowledge of treatment techniques in order to assess changes in physical, mental and/or medical status. - Incumbent must possess advanced knowledge of physical therapy data collection and assessment techniques in order to perform specified aspects of patient evaluations and interventions. - Incumbent 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. - Incumbent modifies treatment approaches, within the scope of the established plan, to reflect patient's changing needs. - Incumbent recognizes adverse reaction to treatment and initiates effective action immediately. - Incumbent must coordinate several treatment approaches simultaneously to accomplish complex treatment objectives. - Incumbent demonstrates a full professional understanding of the theories of treatment of physical therapy and their proper application through which the use of therapeutic physical rehabilitation and reconditioning procedures are implemented. - Incumbent demonstrates knowledge of and compliance with all emergency and disaster procedures. - Incumbent possesses the skills to instruct students and manage/coordinate a training and education program for PTA students. This includes development and tracking of training plans, scheduling, rotation assignments, performance feedback and direct participation in clinical education and training for PTA students. - Incumbent identifies his/her continuing education needs, attends continuing education programs and reads professional literature for the purpose of maintaining or improving knowledge and skills for work performance. - Incumbent maintains current working knowledge of available technology and equipment. - Incumbent communicates readily with the multidisciplinary treatment team, advising the team of patient's needs and progress, exchanging discharge planning information with them. This communication occurs through team meetings, ward rounds, written reports, and informal communication, such as personal and telephone conversations. Written communication is accomplished in a timely fashion. - Incumbent possesses the ability to lead a group of employees and communicate information regarding work assignments and scheduling. - Initiates appropriate referrals to physicians and other clinicians/services as indicated. Administrative Duties - Incumbent is 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. - Incumbent assesses equipment needs of the department and maintains adequate stock of supplies and materials. - Incumbent 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. - Incumbent provides guidance and support to co-workers, students, and volunteers. - Incumbent delegates duties to other support staff as appropriate. - Incumbent complies with all policies regarding documentation and coding of patient care. - Incumbent demonstrates knowledge of computer skills for completion of documentation and other responsibilities as required. - Incumbent 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. 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: M-F; 08:00-16:30; occasional Saturday Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 570-03021A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Driving Required Yes 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. 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 Ideal candidate will have outpatient and inpatient experience totaling at least 2 years. Strong independent work habits/experience are preferred. 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 Fresno VA Medical Center 2615 East Clinton Avenue Fresno, CA 93703 US
• Name: Havel Respes
• Phone: 415-221-4810 X23728
• Email: [email protected]