This position is in the Referral Coordination Initiative Service (RCI) at the Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Responsibilities may be required at CBOCs throughout the RHJ catchment area on clinic days as assigned. The incumbent is responsible for receiving and triaging therapy consults utilizing locally approved triage tools. The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) provides consult management for care that promotes the prevention, remediation, and rehabilitation.

Duties

The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) provides consult management for care that promotes the prevention, remediation, and rehabilitation of acute and chronic physical and psychosocial dysfunction at the basic introductory level. The PTA applies specialty training and skills to management of referral consult and ensure appropriate care coordination. The RCI PTA is responsible for timely consult management, collaboration with referring and accepting services and following processes of RCI management to ensure consult is receiving by RCI administrative team. As assigned, The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) provides treatment that promotes the prevention, remediation, and rehabilitation of acute and chronic physical and psychosocial dysfunction at the basic introductory level and is responsible for maintaining appropriate patient records in accordance with PMR, VA and Joint Commission policies and standards. The PT A administers and monitors therapeutic interventions based on goals formulated by a Physical Therapist. Direct supervision and guidance for more complex patients is provided by more experienced Physical Therapist Assistants and/or Physical Therapist. The incumbent may be assigned to any program area within the Ralph H. Johnson VAMC and may rotate on a regular basis through the inpatient and outpatient setting. He/she may also work off hour shifts, weekends and holidays as priorities demonstrate a need. A valid driver's license is required as the incumbent may be required to drive to off-site locations in the performance of their duties to meet the Veteran's needs. The duties and responsibilities of the Physical Therapist include but are not limited to the following: Receive and interpret requests or instructions for procedures to management PT referral consult from referring service line. Manages consults timely utilizing specialized triage tools. Works closely with RCI admin team to ensure consult management completion. Communicates with RCI leadership team to trouble shoot and modify any internal processes for consult management. 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. 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, co­workers, and self. Reports to Supervisory Physical Therapist the need for equipment or items necessary for patient treatment. Maintain a high level of competence through participation in continuing education programs, clinical in-services, and on-line training. When preforming any clinical duties, the incumbent provides all activities under the close supervision of a licensed Physical Therapist. All therapy notes and consults generated by the assistant are reviewed and co-signed by a licensed Physical Therapist. During clinical duty assignment, the PT A under close supervision of the treating physical therapist selects and adapts the procedures and techniques to be used, documents process and put come in the patient's medical record and modifies programming based on the findings of the reassessment in accordance with previous training or accepted practices. The PTA under the direct supervision of the treating physical therapist makes recommendations regarding treatment or modifications to treatment plans and actively participates with physicians and nurses in planning rehabilitative treatment procedures. The PTA under close supervision documents all patient care rendered and initiates consults for appropriate patient care equipment inherent to the physical therapy scope of practice. All patient care documentation and consults for equipment will be reviewed and co-signed by a licensed physical therapist. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30AM - 4:00PM Telework: Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 534-58554F. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

Requirements

Qualifications

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. English Language Proficiency. Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Licensure. Current, full, active and unrestricted license as a Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e. Puerto Rico) of the United States, or District of Columbia. 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, (3) 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 Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements outlined in paragraph 3, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Physical Therapy Assistant, GS-08 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: 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: Five years of inpatient and outpatient 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-08. Physical Requirements: This work requires some physical exertion such as prolonged periods of standing, bending, reaching, crouching, stooping, stretching, and lifting moderately heavy items such as manuals, record boxes, equipment or assisting patients.

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 Ralph H Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 109 Bee Street Charleston, SC 29401 US
• Name: Trena O. Melvin
• Email: [email protected]