This position is for a Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), located in the VA Eastern Colorado Healthcare System (ECHCS), within the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service. Preferred experience working with various specialty populations. This is an outpatient position that supports our neurologic clinical specialists, geriatric clinical specialists, pain specialists, balance and falls, and orthopedic/musculoskeletal physical therapists.

Duties

The duties include but are not limited to the following: Clinical (a) The PTA receives patient caseload through appropriate referrals from a PT. The PTA implements the treatment plan developed with the PT to meet the individual treatment needs. (b) Administers standardized tests including but not limited to range of motion, gait training, muscle strengthening, coordination, endurance, postural balance, transfer training, active and passive therapeutic exercise, and other techniques as specifically instructed by the supervising PT. (c) Under guidance of the PT, utilizes a full range of modalities including heat, cold, sound and electricity and fits, adjusts and instructs patients in use of orthotics, prosthesis, and mobility devices. (d) PTA assists with the development of treatment goals under the supervision of a PT, working with the PT, patient, and family to modify these goals as treatment progresses to meet the changing needs of the patient. (e) Prepares and presents written documentation for all professionals concerned with the patient's care. Writes daily progress notes on patients treated. (f) Maintains a safe work environment, and safe work habits to prevent injury to patients, coworkers, and self. (g) May provide treatment of patients referred to physical therapy from, but not limited to, PCP PACT teams, musculoskeletal clinic, and a wide range of outpatient specialty clinics. In all roles the PTA will provide daily feedback to the professional team through chart documentation or verbal communication on how the patient is progressing toward meeting the established goals. (h) Participates in the Gait Aid/DME walk-in clinic. The PTA may fit patients with mobility devices and is responsible for training patients referred to designated physical therapy clinic with the appropriate assistive devices. This includes working closely with the prosthetics/logistics departments and physical therapy supervisor to ensure rehab stock is appropriately managed and stocked with necessary items utilized by the physical therapy department/clinicians. (e) Participates/assists with daily clinic duties necessary to provide safe and appropriate patient care. This includes but is not limited to maintaining a clean/safe workspace as well as ordering, issuing, and stocking linens and other necessary clinical items. Education (a) The PTA accepts the responsibility of clinical training for PTA students. The number of students per year and the level of student will vary and be determined through collaboration of the PTA, SCCE, and PT supervisor. (b) Assists the SCCE in arranging and providing educational experiences for Physical Therapy Assistant students that affiliate with this facility, providing a suitable learning environment for the student by assisting the student when necessary and maintaining communication with the PTA Advisor from the PTA program. The therapist assists with the assessment of the student's performance to evaluate capabilities to function as a Physical Therapist Assistant student. (c) Attends Continuing Education for Physical Therapist Assistants annually to maintain a high level of professional competence, knowledge, and skill, learn new treatment techniques, and explore new theories. Shares the knowledge with Physical Therapy staff. (d) Completes annual mandatory training classes by hospital policy and practices the information learned to correct deficiencies and maintain a safe environment. In addition, they will complete annual PTA clinical/administrative competencies administered by the corresponding PT supervisor. (e) The PTA may participate in patient education clinics such pre-operative education courses, among others. Administrative (a) The PTA is expected to perform as part of the overall PM&RS team under supervision of a PT. (b) Participates in Program Improvement programs and has a working knowledge of departmental Program Improvement projects. (c) Is instructed in new treatment techniques by the team of physical therapists as appropriate and incorporates these new techniques into patient treatment plans. (d) Participates in PM&RS staff meetings and physical therapy staff meetings as established. (e) Participates in CARF and TJC activities as required. This can include but is not limited to monitoring and managing modality devices for compliance and other regulatory requirements. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday | 7:30am to 4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 55818-A 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 1. United States 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 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a). 2. English Language Proficiency. Pharmacy Technician candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 3. 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. 4. Education. Individuals must meet at least one (1) 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. 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. OR 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 DETERMINATION | GS-08 Experience. One (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade. In addition the candidate must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 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. 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. Preferred Experience: working with various specialty populations. This is an outpatient position that supports our neurologic clinical specialists, geriatric clinical specialists, pain specialists, balance and falls, and orthopedic/musculoskeletal physical therapists. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit: https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-08. Physical Requirements: Physical Therapy is a vocation that requires regular and recurring physical exertion with long periods of standing, bending, walking and periods of assisting patients with transfers. This hospital has a policy of NO PATIENT LIFT, meaning that mechanical lifts are available to assist with safe patient transfers without lifting patients directly. Demonstration of various physical therapy procedures requires good physical conditioning. Physical therapy also requires manual dexterity to manipulate tools and equipment with activities such as assembling equipment with the use of hand tools such as screwdriver or pliers, and power tools such as a power chop saw. Pre-placement and periodic physical examinations are required for hybrid occupations to ensure workers are placed in positions where they can perform the essential functions of their job considering their physical, mental, and emotional capacities, without endangering their health or the health of their co-workers. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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/.

f 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 VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System 1700 N Wheeling St Aurora, CO 80045 US
• Name: VISN 19 HR Contact Center
• Phone: 719-227-4600
• Email: [email protected]