Physical Therapy Asst

Duties include but are not limited to:

The incumbent receives and interprets requests or instructions for procedures from the physical therapist or physician. Plans and implements complex treatment programs including applying physical therapy procedures to veterans with simple and complex conditions under the general supervision of a physical therapist. Employee may carry out or oversee the work of lower graded assistants to accommodate requests.

Completes a preliminary review/screen of patient data (including medical history) compiles and organizes pertinent information and develops/presents a patient profile to be used in assessing veterans status. Assists with or renders a course of treatment based on the assessed needs of the veteran developing progressive types of complex physical therapy treatment programs. This is done in consultation with a physical therapist or physician.

Assists therapist in development of comprehensive complex treatment plans that includes long- and short-term goals. Independently educates veterans and their caregivers. Persuades and motivates veterans and family members to participate in treatment plans and comply with indicated regimens and post-discharge activities. Interacts with veterans and their families regarding goals for treatment.

Assists in the performance of or independently performs complex treatment procedures. Utilizes the full range of modalities including heat cold sound electricity and massage. Administers complex active and passive therapeutic exercise. Fits adjusts and instructs patients in use of orthoses prostheses and mobility appliances. Instructs motivates and assists patients to improve functional abilities by maximizing their safety and independence. Prepares and maintains appropriate equipment and supplies required for these treatments.

Varies procedures or positions to adjust for veterans medical conditions. Modifies intervention environment tools materials and activities in response to each veterans response to treatment. With prior approval of the therapist adapts the technical procedures and approaches involving new and unusual treatment and rehabilitation objectives to meet the individual veterans needs. Modifies or adapts specialized treatment approaches within the scope of the established treatment plan to reflect the changing needs of the veteran.

Prepares and presents written and oral reports for the ward physician physiatrist nursing staff fellow therapists and all other professionals concerned with the patients care. Participates in family and multidisciplinary healthcare team to identify patients needs report on patients goals and progress and to assist in planning patients 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 supervising physical therapist or Chief PM&RS the need for equipment or items necessary for patient treatment.

Maintains a high level of competence through participation in continuing education programs. Provides in-service training to staff or formal presentations to the treatment team.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 24171F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the Required Documents section of this announcement.

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

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:

Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-8 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-7. The grade may have been in any occupation but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade as required by the this instance you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

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.

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.

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:

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 patients 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.

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 patients 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/caregivers 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.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard please visit full performance level of this vacancy is GS 8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS 8.

Physical Requirements: The work is clinical which requires 8 hours intermittent standing walking sitting stooping kneeling bending lifting/pushing/pulling 15-44 lb objects.