Physical Therapy Assistant

This position is located within the Rehabilitation Section of the Rehabilitation and Extended Care Service Line. The incumbent is a staff Physical Therapy Assistant who works under the supervision of a Physical Therapist to provide services that promote the prevention, remediation, and rehabilitation of acute and chronic physical dysfunctions for a wide range of patients.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: 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:
  • 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:
    • 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).
    • 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 not be promoted/converted until licensure is obtained.
    • Temporary appointments of non-licensed PTAs may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment.

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-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 GS-5.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

1. Knowledge of evidence based Physical Therapy practice.
2. Ability to perform Physical Therapy data collection and use of objective measures in order to carry out patient plan of care.
3. Ability to modify treatment approaches, within the scope of the established treatment plans, to reflect patients' changing needs.
4. 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 GS-6.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

1. Ability to perform in depth chart review to implement treatment plans.
2. Ability to independently use objective measures to assess progress, in accordance with the plan of care for complex patient cases.
3. Knowledge of contemporary Physical Therapy practice.
4. 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 GS-7.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

1. Ability to independently implement treatment plan using knowledge of techniques related to the patient's disability and needs.
2. 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.).
3. 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.
4. Ability to instruct patient on varied interventions to provide materials to enhance compliance with home programs.
5. Ability to modify treatment techniques based on the learning needs and perceptions of the patient.
6. Ability to identify critical changes (e.g. vital signs, pain, mobility and alertness) in patient conditions to determine their medical and functional status.
7. 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: Experience in community living center or skill nursing facility.
References: VA Handbook 5005, appendix G23
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: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.Education: IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application.
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/.Employment Type: FULL_TIME