Physical Therapy Assistant

This position is for a physical therapist assistant (PTA) in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), located in Eastern Colorado Healthcare System, within the PM&RS service. Under the direction of a Physical Therapist, the PTA provides services that promote the prevention, remediation and rehabilitation of acute and chronic physical dysfunction. This position is for our inpatient unit, and will provide services for acute care and acute rehab. There may also be some coverage for outpatient.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:

• Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States. 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.

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).

• Grandfathering Provision: All individuals employed in VHA in this occupational series [or in another occupational series performing the duties as described in the qualification standard] on the effective date of the qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the [ ] grade held, including positive education and licensure/trademark/registration/certification. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:
  • Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
  • Employees in an occupation requiring a licensure/certification/registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/certification/registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher-grade levels.
  • Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of this standard.
  • Employees who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.
  • Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.

Grade Determinations:
Physical Therapy Assistant, GS-8
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.

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 patient's 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/caregiver's 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.
Preferred Experience: Preferred inpatient experience, or extensive medical management experience.
References: VA Handbook 5005/139, Part II, Appendix G-23 Dated January 28, 2021
The 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: Physical Therapy is a vocation that requires regular and recurring physical exertion with long periods of standing, bending, walking and periods of assisting patients with transfers. This hospital has a policy of NO PATIENT LIFT, meaning that mechanical lifts are available to assist with safe patient transfers without lifting patients directly. Demonstration of various Physical Therapy procedures requires good physical conditioning. Physical therapy also requires manual dexterity to manipulate tools and equipment with activities such as assembling equipment with the use of hand tools such as screwdriver or pliers, and power tools such as a power chop saw.
Pre-placement and periodic physical examinations are required for hybrid occupations to ensure workers are placed in positions where they can perform the essential functions of their job considering their physical, mental, and emotional capacities, without endangering their health or the health of their co-workers. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. Per VA handbook 5003/4, Functional Statements are to be reviewed, signedEducation: 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.Employment Type: FULL_TIME