This position is located in the Physical Therapy (PT) department of the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital and satellite PT Outpatient Clinics. The incumbent serves as an active team member in the outpatient physical therapy clinic, located in the Zephyrhills Community Based out-patient clinic.

Duties

Major Duties: This assignment may include additional duties of assisting in testing with specialty equipment under the guidance provided by the physical therapist; test interpretation and assessment will be provided by the Physical Therapist. Assists in the performance of, or independently performs, highly specialized and diversified treatment procedures. He/she utilizes the full range of modalities including, but not limited to: heat, cold, sound, electricity, and massage. Administers non-complex active and passive therapeutic procedures. Prepares and maintains appropriate equipment and supplies required for these treatments. May independently operate specialty equipment such as the Bio-Dex, Erigo, or Neuro-Com to perform testing or therapeutic treatment regimens per plan of the treating Physical Therapist. Highly skilled in the varying procedures or positions in consideration of patient's medical conditions. Incorporates, modifies, or adapts evidence-based treatment approaches within the scope of the established treatment plan and in consideration of patient's medical conditions. Interacts with the patient and family regarding goals for treatment. Prepares and presents written and oral reports for fellow therapists and all other professionals concerned with the patient's care. May function in a clinical setting independently with only on-site supervision of a Physical Therapist or tele-communication provided by off-site PT. 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. Maintains a safe work environment to include non-technical maintenance of equipment, safety checks, cleaning, stocking, etc. Incumbent develops safe work habits to prevent injury to patients, co-workers and self. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am to 4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 71244F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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: Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).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). 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; (Transcripts Required) OR 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. (Documentation Required) OR Graduate of military physical therapy assistant programs that meet the educational requirement and have successfully passed the NPTE for PTAs. (Military Transcripts Required) 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. (DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED) 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). Grandfathering Provision. [Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education and/or licensure/certification/ registration requirements that apply to this occupation.] All individuals employed in VHA in this occupational series [or in another occupational series performing the duties as described in the qualification standard] on the effective date of the qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the [ ] grade held, including positive education and licensure/trademark/registration/certification. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:1. Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.2. Employees in an occupation requiring a licensure/certification/registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/certification/registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher-grade levels.3. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of this standard.4. Employees who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.5. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements outlined in paragraph 3, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS8 Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-7. 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS8. Physical Requirements: Physical Therapy is considered a vocation that requires "medium" work. 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. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Light Work. (i.e.: more than exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.) Examples of the medium strength required by physical therapists are as follows: Standing, walking, squatting, bending, and sitting, 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 frequently, and 20 - 50 pounds occasionally.

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 James A Haley Veterans Hospital 13000 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard Tampa, FL 33612 US
• Name: Paula Velez
• Phone: 813-816-7155 X100173
• Email: [email protected]