Career Center

This position is located in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service at the VA Loma Linda Healthcare System, providing service to Veterans with impairments, activity limitations, or participation restrictions related to medical conditions. This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until the position is filled. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be June 2, 2022. Basic Requirements: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. Education. Applicants must have successfully completed an 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 (CAPTE) 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. GS-8 Experience: Applicants must have at least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-7). In addition to the experience above, 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. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G23- Physical Therapy Assistant Qualification Standard. Physical Requirements: Therapies for PM&R (including Physical, Occupational, Kinesio-, and Recreation) are vocations that require "medium" strength according to the Department of Labor. 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 points 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 a Physical Therapy Assistants 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. ["Duties include, but are not limited to: Participate in the development and implementation of physical therapy curriculum specific for groups and pertaining to back education, prevention and exercise, TENS education, and other classes pertaining to the profession of physical therapy. Assist with guidance and direction of volunteers, interns, and residents, and completion of various administrative tasks within the department. The PTA may also develop and provide individualized clinical training experiences for entry-level PT students during established clinical experience rotations. May also provide guidance to PTAs and other interdisciplinary team members regarding the application of rehabilitation assessments, intervention techniques, and plan of care development for all patient populations served. Individuals may perform ancillary assignments as deemed appropriate given the needs of the facility on an occasional basis. Work Schedule: Tues- Sat 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, 9:00 am - 5:30 pm, Sun-Thurs 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, 9:00 am - 5:30 am, 10:00 am - 6:30 pm Telework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]