Physical Therapy Assistant

Major duties include but are not limited to:

Clinical Functions
1) Performs at the full performance level and is appropriately licensed; he/she performs all duties under the oversight of a licensed physical therapist.
2) The PTA is assigned varied caseload of patients complex cases and is responsible for the management and maintenance of specialized physical therapy programs and regimens.
3) The PTA independently provides varied and multifaceted physical therapy interventions based on the established PT plan of care and administers a wide variety of evidence-based physical therapy procedures using exercise programs mechanical traction therapeutic massage physical agents ultrasound hydrotherapy and electricity.
4) Must possess advanced knowledge of treatment techniques to assess changes in physical mental and/or medical status. He/she can identify critical changes (e.g. vital signs pain mobility and alertness) in patient conditions to determine their medical and functional status.
5) Must possess advanced knowledge of physical therapy data collection and assessment techniques to perform specified aspects of patient evaluations and interventions.

Administrative Duties
1) Responsible for the care upkeep and sanitation of equipment in assigned work environment. Must organize and maintain clinical and administrative space to optimize safety infection control and efficiency.
2) Assesses equipment needs of the department and maintains adequate stock of supplies and materials.
3) Schedules his/her patients for treatment considering priority and frequency of care and coordinates schedules with other members of the treatment team. Flexibility of schedule must be maintained to allow for unscheduled patients and unforeseen circumstances.
4) Provides guidance and support to co-workers students and volunteers.
5) Delegates duties to other support staff as appropriate.

Environmental Functions
1) The PTA demonstrates awareness of safety hazards and seeks appropriate corrective action when indicated.
2) The PTA assists in the establishment of clinic and practice safety guidelines impacting all Physical Therapy patients and programs when/as requested.
3) The PTA adheres to infection control programs.
4) The PTA transports patients equipment and supplies when necessary.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 - 4:30 pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: N/A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• To be considered for this position you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the 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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• 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.

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.
• English Language Proficiency. PTA candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).
• 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.

• 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.