Physical Therapy Assistant

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 PTA in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e. Puerto Rico) of the United States, or District of Columbia. A copy of your PTA license must be submitted with your application. Grade Determination. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.GS-5Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. Assignment. This is the entry level developmental position. PTAs receive ongoing guidance from more experienced staff members and require general clinical [direction] by the treating physical therapist. GS-6 Experience. In addition to the basic requirements, 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities-Knowledge of evidence based physical therapy practice.-Ability to perform] physical therapy data collection and use of objective measures in order to carry out patient plan of care.-Ability to modify treatment approaches, within the scope of the established treatment plans, to reflect patients changing needs.-Skill in promoting physical therapy services by providing training and interventions within the assigned areas. Assignment. PTAs at this grade level serve in developmental positions under general direction from PTs. They receive ongoing guidance from more experienced staff members and require general clinical direction by the treating physical therapist. GS-7 Experience. In addition to the basic requirements, 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities-Ability to organize data, format that data into a presentation, and present information pertinent to patient care in formal or informal settings. Examples may include providing in-service training to staff or formal presentations to the treatment team.-Ability to perform in depth chart review to implement treatment plans.-Ability to independently use objective measures to assess progress, in accordance with the plan of care for complex patient cases.-Knowledge of contemporary physical therapy practice.-Ability to consult with the PT to assess progress, modify treatment and set discharge plan. Assignment. This is a developmental level for PTAs. PTAs receive ongoing guidance from more experienced staff members and receive general direction by the treating PT. PTAs draw upon a broad base of practical and experiential knowledge in order to assist the PT in reaching pre-determined patient goals. PTAs work independently but still under the general direction of PTs. GS-8 Experience. Completion of 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities-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 predetermined patient goals by independently modifying techniques within the established plan of care. Preferred Experience: Outpatient Clinic experience 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). 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. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-08. Physical Requirements: Physical Therapy is considered a vocation that requires “medium” work. Medium Work entails: exerting 20 – 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Light Work. (i.e.: more than exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.) Examples of the medium strength required by physical therapists are as follows: Standing, walking, squatting, bending, and sitting, and changing from one position to the other frequently throughout the day; Sitting at a desk and using upper extremities to reach, grasp and place papers, charts and binders; Reaching, lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling: 1 – 10 pounds constantly, 10 – 25 frequently, and 20 – 50 pounds occasionally
The Staff Physical Therapy Assistant (P.T.A), Position is located in the Physical Therapy Department of the PM&R. The position is responsible for direct patient care within PM&R of Veterans with a variety of orthopedic, neurological, and systemic impairments. The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) works under the supervision of a Physical Therapist (PT) to provide services that promotes the prevention, remediation, and rehabilitation of acute and chronic physical dysfunction.