The Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) will be assigned to the Battle Creek VAMC with primary work station identified as the Muskegon VA Clinic. The PTA may be rotated to outpatient, inpatient acute or the Community Living Center (CLC) for short term rehabilitation or long-term care. Incumbent will be expected to work Saturdays on a rotational basis if needed. This PTA may be required to travel to CBOC or main campus, for patient care needs.

Duties

The Physical Therapist Assistant's (PTA) primary function is direct patient care. Treatment duties include a variety of interventions and treatment techniques, documentation as well as patient/family education. The PTA provides treatment that promotes the prevention, remediation and rehabilitation of acute and chronic physical and psychosocial dysfunction. The PTA administers and monitors therapeutic interventions based on goals formulated by the Physical Therapist (PT). The PTA participates with the PT in planning and implementing complex treatment programs and applies physical therapy procedures to patients under the direct supervision of a PT. The PTA also conducts educational programs to support the needs of patients. Duties may include but are not limited to Receives and interprets 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 therapist 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. Maintains a high level of competence through participation in continuing education programs, clinical in-services, and on-line training. Inpatient Treatment The physical therapist assistant assigned at the Battle Creek VAMC is assigned a varied caseload. He/she may assists the therapist in the treatment of often inpatients. Has the proper skills and knowledge to recognize special precautions for mobilizing patients that have been bedridden for prolonged periods of time. Assists in monitoring the patient's vital signs (HR, BP, RR) and assists to restore abnormal alterations to normal parameters in accordance with established procedures/protocols/practices. Documents changes orally and written in progress notes. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm, Occasional weekend coverage Telework: Available, limited to ad-hoc agreement Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:93558A, 93557A, 93556A, 93559A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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. Creditable Experience. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) associated with the current scope of PTA practice. Experience must have been gained as a licensed PTA. Part-Time Experience. Part-time experience is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time work week. For example, an individual employed 20 hours per week, or on a half time basis, would receive one full-time work week of credit for each two weeks of service. 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. 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; 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. 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. 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 and not to exceed two years. (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. (e) 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. Loss of Credential. A PTA who fails to maintain the required licensure must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. 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. English Language Proficiency. PTA candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English. Grade Determination Physical Therapy Assistant, GS-5 Experience: None beyond the basic requirements. Physical Therapy Assistant, GS-6 Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 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. Physical Therapy Assistant, GS-7 Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 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. Physical Therapy Assistant, GS-8 Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 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: Inpatient PTA experience. 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-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-8. Physical Requirements: Work includes regular and recurring physical exertion in standing, bending, kneeling, reaching, gripping, and walking. Moderate to heavy lifting is required to assist patients and operate equipment. Sitting is required in meetings and for conducting administrative work. Work may require physical stamina, normal use of arms and legs, and good visual and auditory acuity.

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 Battle Creek VA Medical Center 5500 Armstrong Road Battle Creek, MI 49037 US
• Name: Richard Bloomberg
• Phone: 269-217-1410
• Email: [email protected]