Physical Therapy Assistant
Indian Health Service - Department of Health and Human Services
To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week Individual Occupational Requirements: Specialized Experience (for positions at GS-4 and above): Examples of qualifying specialized experience include work as an assistant to one of the specialized therapies such as occupational, physical, manual arts, corrective, or educational therapy; or experience gained as an assistant or aid in patient care, social work, or psychology where the duties involved actual participation in physical medicine and activities of a hospital or clinic. In addition to meeting the Individual Occupational Requirements, you must also meet the Minimum Qualifications stated below. Selective Placement Factor: This position requires the following certification to be considered qualified for this position. You must possess and maintain a current unrestricted state licensure as a Physical Therapy Assistant. (Submit copy showing expiration date with application). MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: GS-07 Grade Level: Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at the GS-06 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: assisting the physical therapist in implementing treatment programs, training patients and family members in exercises and activities of daily living, providing and assessing treatments, documenting patient encounters in the patient’s chart, and recommending changes in the plan of care. One full year of graduate education in the specialized field of Physical Therapy. Combination of education and experience that when combined fully meet the minimum qualifications for this position. The total percentage equals at least 100 percent to qualify for this GS-07 grade level. GS-08 Grade Level: Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: 1) Perform specific interventions to monitor and capture progress of patient/client using knowledge of physical therapy data collection and assessment techniques. 2) Communicates verbally, and in writing, progress or lack thereof to the assigned Physical Therapist and suggests appropriate changes to plan of care and goals based on patient response to treatment.3) Monitor vital signs, recognize changes in patient status, and use independent judgment to discontinue a procedure or therapeutic exercise and respond immediately and appropriately to potentially life-threatening events.. One full year of graduate education in the specialized field of Physical Therapy Combination of education and experience that when combined fully meet the minimum qualifications for this position. The total percentage equals at least 100 percent to qualify for this GS-8 grade level. Time In Grade Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade Requirements: Merit Promotion (status) candidates must have completed one year of service at the next lower grade level. Time-In-Grade provisions do not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan (ESEP). You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.
This position serves as the licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) located in the Rehabilitation Department (Outpatient and Wound Clinic) at the Whiteriver Indian Hospital. The PTA is responsible for direct patient care thru the application and knowledge of concepts, principles and practices of Physical Therapy for the treatment and prevention of disability and disease.