Position is located in the Physical Therapy Department of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) in the VA Caribbean Healthcare System. The Physical Therapy Assistant provides treatment that promotes the prevention, remediation, and rehabilitation of acute and chronic physical and psychosocial dysfunction. The incumbent provides all routine clinical activities under the general supervision of a Licensed Physical Therapist.

Duties

VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY Major duties but are not limited to: Ability to independently implement specialized treatment plans and provide to patients a varied and multifaceted physical therapy interventions based on established care plan, under the general supervision of a physical therapist. Demonstrates knowledge on physical therapy data collection and assessment techniques in order to monitor and capture progress of the patient. Demonstrate ability to modify treatment techniques accordingly. Ability to identify critical changes in patient condition to determine their medical and functional status. Motivating patients and family members to participate in treatment plans and comply with indicated regimens and post-discharge activities. Interacts with the patient and family regarding goals for treatment; provides material and enhance compliance with home programs. Assisting in the performance or independently performs, highly specialized and diversified treatment procedures. Utilizes the full range of modalities including heat, cold, sound, electricity, and massage. Administers a complete range of therapeutic exercises. Fits, adjusts and instructs patients in use of orthoses, prostheses, and mobility appliances. Instructs motivates, and assists patients to learn activities of daily living and improve functional activities. Prepares and maintains appropriate equipment and supplies required for these treatments. Incumbent has full knowledge of the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) terminology and implements it in the daily practice of physical therapy. Varies procedures or positions to adjust to the patient's medical conditions. Modifies intervention environment, tools, materials, and activities in response to each patient's response to treatment. With prior approval of the therapist, adapts the technical procedures and approaches involving new and innovative treatment and rehabilitation objectives to meet the individual patient's needs. 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, coworkers and self. Reports to Supervisor of Physical Therapist the need for equipment or items necessary for patient treatment. Maintains a high level of competence through participation in continuing education programs. Manages clinic independently when Physical Therapist is unavailable maintaining consultation with Supervisor of Physical Therapist or designee. Provides training in ambulation, transfers, bed mobility, use of assistive devices, and prosthetic/orthotic equipment. Perform highly specialized and diversified treatment procedures and modalities such as functional electrical stimulation, prosthetic and orthotic training. Provides aquatic rehabilitation to specific population like orthopedic cases, SCI and neuromuscular conditions. Administers standard and nonstandard tests to patients with multiple and complex medical problems. Initiates discharge planning process by offering suggestions for appropriate discharge environment, level of assistance needed after discharge and adaptive equipment. Designs, implements and delivers specific patient and family orientation trainings including but not limited to bed mobility, transfers, Lifter training, TENS educational groups, Back Care Program, Restorative programs. Performs other related duties as assigned. Provides assistance to physical therapist and other staff members as needed. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday , 7:00-3:30pm, 7:30-4:00pm, 8:00-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 61602F 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:. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 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). 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 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. (1) 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. Non-licensed individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may 3 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.. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. English Language Proficiency. PTA candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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: Physical Therapy Assistant, GS-05: Experience: None beyond the basic requirements. Physical Therapy Assistant, GS-06 Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-5. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of evidence based physical therapy practice. (b) Ability to perform] physical therapy data collection and use of objective measures in order to carry out patient plan of care. (c) Ability to modify treatment approaches, within the scope of the established treatment plans, to reflect patients' changing needs. (d) Skill in promoting physical therapy services by providing training and interventions within the assigned area Physical Therapy Assistant, GS-07 Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-6. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Ability to perform in depth chart review to implement treatment plans. (b) Ability to independently use objective measures to assess progress, in accordance with the plan of care for complex patient cases. (c) Knowledge of contemporary physical therapy practice. (d) Ability to consult with the PT to assess progress, modify treatment and set discharge plan. Physical Therapy Assistant, GS-08 Experience: One year of creditable experience comparable to the next lower grade level, GS-7. In addition to the experience above, 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. Preferred Experience: Licensed physical therapy assistant, preferred experience in adults and geriatric population. Valid Basic Life Support certification is required. Selective Placement Factor Must be proficient in spoken and written Spanish language. 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 in the range of GS-05 to GS-08. Physical Requirements: The incumbent must demonstrate the ability to walk, to get to other hospital locations on a daily basis. Activities including prolonged standing, repeated bending, reaching overhead, and pushing Veterans and objects for up to four hours during a regular shift, prolonged sitting, and moderate lifting and carrying of 15-44 pounds

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 San Juan VA Medical Center 10 Calle Casia San Juan, PR 00921 US
• Name: Mireya Rodriguez-Perez
• Phone: 787-641-7582
• Email: [email protected]