This position is located in the Physical Therapy department of the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital and satellite PT Outpatient Clinics. Serves as an active team member in a comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation program, acute care, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury/polytrauma, Chronic Pain Rehabilitation Program (CPRP), Therapeutic Pool, PACT PT Clinic, or Out-patient Physical Therapy Clinic.

Duties

Major Duties: 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. Receives and interprets instructions for procedures from the physical therapist. Plans and implements specialized treatment programs and applies physical therapy procedures to patients under the general supervision of a physical therapist. Assists with or renders a course of treatment based on the assessed needs of the patient, developing progressive physical therapy treatment programs. Assists the physical therapist in development of a comprehensive specialized treatment plan that includes long and short term goals. Demonstrates advanced knowledge of physical therapy data collection and ongoing assessment techniques in order to perform specified aspects of patient interventions. Assists in the performance of, or independently performs, highly specialized and diversified treatment procedures. Administers non-complex active and passive therapeutic procedures. Fits, adjusts and instructs patients in use of orthoses, prostheses, and mobility appliances. Prepares and maintains appropriate equipment and supplies required for these treatments. 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. 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. 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. 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. May function in a clinical setting independently with only on-site supervision of a Physical Therapist or tele-communication provided by off-site PT. 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. Maintains a safe work environment to include non-technical maintenance of equipment, safety checks, cleaning, stocking, etc. This PTA performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: ADHOC Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 71242F ,70162F ,70164F, & 71244F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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). English Language Proficiency: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions with the Department of Veterans Affairs unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. 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. (Please submit documentation) Exceptions for Non-Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant. (a) Non-licensed applicants who otherwise meet the minimum qualification requirements, but who do not possess state licensure, may be appointed, pending licensure, as a graduate PTA on a full-time temporary appointment under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7401(a)(1)(B) and not to exceed two years in accordance with the timeframe in 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B). (b) Non-licensed individuals shall only provide care under the direct supervision of a licensed PTA or PT who meets all state regulatory requirements. (c) Non-licensed individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until licensure is obtained. (d) Temporary appointments of non-licensed PTAs may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment. Failure to Obtain Licensure. In all cases, non-licensed PTAs must actively pursue meeting requirements for licensure starting from the date of their appointment. At the time of appointment, the supervisor will provide the non-licensed PTA with the written requirements for licensure, including the time by which the license must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming licensed by the deadline. Failure to obtain licensure during this time period may result in termination of employment. 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: In addition to the basic requirements, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. 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. Grandfathering Provision. 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. 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. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS5 to GS8. 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: 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]