Career Center

This position is located in the Physical Therapy Department of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) in the Aleda E. Lutz VA Medical Center in Saginaw, MI. This position is responsible for occasional coverage of Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) Physical Therapy programs as needed. Due to occasional travel using a government vehicle, a valid and current driver's license is required. 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 (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a). 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; (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. Loss of Credential: A PTA who fails to maintain the required licensure must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. 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. Grade Determinations: GS-5 - None beyond the basic requirements. GS-6 - Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade [GS-5 ]. Under the direction of a Physical Therapist, examples of experience are to perform preliminary chart reviews including medical history and contraindications for treatment. They treat patients through basic exercise, massage, gait and balance training and other therapeutic interventions. PTAs recommend changes in treatment based on changes in physical, mental and/or medical status of the patient. PTAs instruct, motivate and assist patients to learn and improve functional activities. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities that will be obtained at the GS-6 level: (a) Knowledge of evidence based physical therapy practice. (b) Ability to perform physical therapy data collection and use of objective measures in order to carry out patient plan of care. (c) Ability to modify treatment approaches, within the scope of the established treatment plans, to reflect patients' changing needs. (d) Skill in promoting physical therapy services by providing training and interventions within the assigned areas. GS-7 - Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade [GS-6 ]. At this level the candidate has developed a broad base of practical knowledge to assist the Physical Therapist in reaching pre-determined goals. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities that will be obtained at the GS-7 level: (a) Ability to perform in depth chart review to implement treatment plans. (b) Ability to independently use objective measures to assess progress, in accordance with the plan of care for complex patient cases. (c) Knowledge of contemporary physical therapy practice. (d) Ability to consult with the PT to assess progress, modify treatment and set discharge plan. GS-8 - Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade [GS-7]. PTAs at this level 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 PT's. They observe patients' ability to perform specified tasks in order to provide ongoing assessment of information on patients' physical and functional status. PTAs work with the physical therapy staff to assess progress, modify treatment and set discharge plan. They provide clinical direction for PTA students. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities that will be obtained at the GS-8 level: (a) Ability to independently implement treatment plan using knowledge of techniques related to the patient's disability and needs. (b) 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.). (c) 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. (d) Ability to instruct patient on varied interventions to provide materials to enhance compliance with home programs. (e) Ability to modify treatment techniques based on the learning needs and perceptions of the patient. (f) Ability to identify critical changes (e.g. vital signs, pain, mobility and alertness) in patient conditions to determine their medical and functional status. (g) 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 working with outpatients. Experience in the skilled nursing environment. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, 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: The work requires frequent stooping, bending, walking, handling of wheelchairs and lifting in conjunction with treatment of patients. At times, there may be undue heavy lifting due to unforeseen circumstances such as preventing a patient from falling. Dexterity and skill in safe machinery technique are required. This position requires the incumbent to travel by government vehicle to CBOC and Saginaw locations as a regular and reoccurring part of their duties (valid driver's license required). ["Duties listed below are at the full performance level of this position (GS-8). PTA's at the lower grade levels will have higher supervision. Under the general direction of a PT, the PTA completes a preliminary review/examination of patient data (including medical history),compiles and organizes pertinent information, and develops/presents a patient profile to be used in assessing patient's status and ascertaining patient's need for therapy services. PTA assesses individual patient's medical condition through chart review, interviews of patient/family and physical examination. PTA observes patient's ability to perform specified tasks in order to provide preliminary assessment of information on patient's physical and functional abilities. PTA also performs on-going assessment of patient's physical and functional status. PTA administers standardized tests (e.g. manual muscle test, goniometry, girth measurements, and vital signs). Recommendations are made regarding patient's need for services. PTA interacts with the patient and family to determine their goals for rehabilitation treatment. PTA assists the PT in the development of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes long and short-term goals. PTA displays a high level of quality performance, depth of understanding and the ability to adapt treatment procedures to the individual patient's needs using sound judgment. Recognizes significant adverse reactions to treatment and makes necessary changes without supervisor approval. Modifies treatment approaches within the scope of the established plan to reflect the patient's changing needs. PTA work with a high degree of independence in planning and implementing treatment procedures. Treatment procedures are varied with many of them being specialized and complex in nature. PTA researches and develops educational programs in relationship to specific needs of patient population. PTA monitors the physical effects and modifies as per need. Patient education is documented accordingly. PTA treats both inpatients and outpatients with acute and chronic medical conditions. Patients are instructed and fitted accordingly for proper ambulation and their respective assistive device. Instruction, motivation and assistance are provided for improvement, implementation of functional activities as well as care of orthoses, prostheses and supportive devices. Wound management (with regards to whirlpool) and incorporation of isolation and sterile techniques are also utilized. In-services are conducted to interdisciplinary team for proper fitting of specific orthotics and prosthetics. Independently performs highly specialized and diversified treatment procedures. As a PTA a full range of modalities and administer non-complex active and passive therapeutic exercises are utilized. Implements and coordinates intervention plan, under the supervision of a PT, in range of motion, muscle strength, gross motor coordination, endurance, balance reactions, sensory awareness/proprioception. Implements and coordinates intervention plans in the following preventive health areas: energy conservation, joint protection, proper body mechanics, and positioning, evaluating vital signs. PTA participates in family and multidisciplinary team meetings to identify patient's needs, reports on patient's goal and progress and to assist in planning patient's treatment program. A safe work environment is maintained by recognizing potentially hazardous situation which may include performing non-technical maintenance of equipment, daily/weekly safety checks, daily cleaning and stocking of supplies. PTA remains active and current to newest treatment techniques and continued educational knowledge by participating in continued education programs, seminars, and in-services. PTA supervises volunteers and non-PT students as requested. In addition, the PTA serves as the clinical instructor for PTA students, giving guidance and support. PTA serves as a liaison with Prosthetic Service by measuring and fitting patients with the appropriate prosthetics equipment that include but is not limited to gait devices, orthotics, compression garments, etc. and provides education in the use of said equipment. The PTA must be able to judge when prosthetic devices are needed either to initiate the necessary requests or to determine whether a device Work Schedule: Thursday - Monday, 9am - 5:30pm\nCompressed/Flexible: Not Available\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 91308A (GS-5), 91309-A (GS-6), 91310-A (GS-7) and 91311-A (GS-8)\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]