This position is located in the Physical Therapy section of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&R) at the Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) provides treatment that promotes the prevention, remediation, and rehabilitation of acute and chronic physical and psychosocial dysfunction at the basic introductory level. The PTA administers and monitors therapeutic interventions based on goal formulated by a Physical Therapist.

Duties

VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY The incumbent may be assigned to any program area within the Ralph H. Johnson VAMC and may rotate on a regular basis through the inpatient and outpatient setting. He/she may also work off hour shifts, weekends, and holidays as priorities demonstrate a need. A valid driver's license is required as the incumbent may be required to drive to off-site locations in the performance of their duties to meet the Veterans needs. The duties and responsibilities of the Physical Therapist Assistant include but are not limited to the following: Receive and interpret requests or instructions for procedures from the physical therapists or physician. Plans and implements therapy for patients under the close and sometimes direct supervision of a physical therapist. Completes a chart review and obtain a subjective history. Administers therapy to patients incorporating accepted modalities and treatment standards per the American Physical Therapy Association (PTA) under the close and sometimes direct supervision of a physical therapist. Demonstrates familiarity and basic competencies in all clinical modalities, exercise, and functional activities to enhance patient independence. Communicates with treating physical therapists t to allow for development and modification of treatment plans. Persuades and motivates Veterans and family members to participate in treatment plan and comply with indicated regimens and post-discharge activities. Interacts with the patient and family goals for treatment under the close and sometimes direct supervision of a physical therapist. 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 presents written and oral reports for the physical therapist and fellow healthcare professionals concerned with the patient's care as needed. Participates in family and multidisciplinary team meetings to identify patient's needs, reports on patient's goals and progress and to assist in planning patient's treatment program. Maintains a safe work environment to include non-technical maintenance of equipment, safety checks cleaning, stocking, etc.. Develops safe work habits to prevent injury to patients, co-workers, and self. Reports to Supervisory Physical Therapist the need for equipment or items necessary for patient treatment. Maintain a high level of competence through participation in continuing education programs, clinical in-services, and on-line training. The incumbent works under the authority of the Supervisory Physical Therapist who assigns work by defining objectives, priorities, and deadlines and provides guidance on therapy assignments that do not have clear precedents. The completed work is reviewed periodically for appropriateness, conformance to the therapy department's policies, and requirements and effectiveness in meeting goals. The incumbent provides all routine clinical activities under the close supervision of a licensed Physical Therapist. All therapy notes and consults generated by the assistant are reviewed and co-signed by a licensed Physical Therapist. The PTA under close supervision of the treating physical therapist selects and adapts the procedures and techniques to be used, documents process and put in the patient's medical record and modifies programming based on the findings of the reassessment in accordance with the previous training or accepted practices. The PTA under the direct supervision of the treating physical therapist makes recommendations regarding treatment or modifications to treatment plans and actively participates with physicians and nurses in planning rehabilitative treatment procedures. The PTA under close supervision documents all patient care rendered and initiates consults for appropriate patient care equipment inherent to the physical therapy scope of practice. All patient care documentation and consults for equipment will be reviewed and co-signed by a licensed physical therapist. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday with possibility of weekend coverage, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: FS503680 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required SALARY RANGE PER GRADE: GS-5: $39,576 - $51,446 GS-6: $44,117 - $57,354 GS-7: $49,025 - $63,733 GS-8: $54,292 - $70,578

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. English Language. Proficiency. PTA candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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 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). 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. 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). Grade Determinations: GS-5 (Entry Level) Requirements: None beyond the basic requirements. GS-6 (Development Level 1) Requirements: One year of creditable experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade. In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of evidence based physical therapy practice. Ability to perform physical therapy data collection and use of objective measures in order to carry out patient plan of care. Ability to modify treatment approaches, within the scope of the established treatment plans, to reflect patients' changing needs. Skill in promoting physical therapy services by providing training and interventions within the assigned areas. GS-7 (Development Level 2) Requirements: One year of creditable experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade. In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to perform in depth chart review to implement treatment plans. Ability to independently use objective measures to assess progress, in accordance with the plan of care for complex patient cases. Knowledge of contemporary physical therapy practice. Ability to consult with the PT to assess progress, modify treatment and set discharge plan. GS-8 (Full Performance Level) Requirements: One year of creditable experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade. In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to independently implement treatment plan using knowledge of techniques related to the patient's disability and needs. 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.). 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. Ability to instruct patient on varied interventions to provide materials to enhance compliance with home programs. Ability to modify treatment techniques based on the learning needs and perceptions of the patient. Ability to identify critical changes (e.g. vital signs, pain, mobility and alertness) in patient conditions to determine their medical and functional status. 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. Preferred Experience: 3 - 5 years experience in Inpatient and Outpatient Physical Therapy References: VHA 5005/139, Part II, Appendix G23, Physical Therapy Assistant Qualification Standard. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-08. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 pounds and over); Straight pulling (

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/.

Contacts

• Address Ralph H Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 109 Bee Street Charleston, SC 29401 US
• Name: Leslie Hawkins
• Phone: 210-439-6422
• Email: [email protected]