Physical Therapy Assistant

Physical Therapy Assistant Positions

The Physical Therapy Assistant positions will report to the Physical Therapy Department of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) at the Monroe Outpatient Clinic, Monroe LA and Texarkana Outpatient Clinics located in Texarkana, TX. The Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) provides treatment that promotes the prevention, remediation, and rehabilitation of acute and chronic physical and psychosocial dysfunction.

Duties performed include, but are not limited to the following :

• Receives and interprets requests or instructions for procedures from the physical therapist or physician.
• Plans and implements specialized treatment programs, some of which are for patients with complex medical problems and applies physical therapy procedures to patients under the general supervision of a physical therapist.
• Utilizes physical therapy data collection and assessment techniques in order to perform specific interventions and to monitor and capture progress of the patient / client.
• Independently implements treatment plan using knowledge of techniques related to the patient's disability and needs.
• Provides 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.).
• Identifies critical changes (e.g. vital signs, pain, mobility and alertness) in patient conditions to determine their medical and functional status.
• Prepares and maintains appropriate equipment and supplies required for these treatments.
• Organizes workday to complete duties in a timely manner allowing time for required daily chart documentation.
• Modifies treatment techniques based on the learning needs and perceptions of the patient.
• Prepares and presents written and oral reports for the ward physician, physiatrist, nursing staff, fellow therapists and all other professionals concerned with the patient's care.
• Works with Physical Therapists and other interdisciplinary healthcare team members to evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, and coordinating treatment programs and discharge planning.
• Maintains a safe work environment to include non-technical maintenance of equipment, safety checks, cleaning, stocking, etc.
• Develops safe work habits to prevent injury to patients, co-workers and self.
• Reports to Lead Physical Therapist the need for equipment or items necessary for patient treatment.
• Maintains a high level of competence through participation in continuing education programs.
• Assists with the supervision and training of student physical therapy assistants, volunteers, work students and other healthcare practitioners.

Work Schedule : Monday-Friday, 8 : 00am-4 : 30pm; subject to change based on the needs of the facility.

Functional Statement # : 00431F / 00432F / 00433F / 00434F

Relocation / Recruitment Incentives : Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) : Not Authorized

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.

Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12 / 31 / 1959.

Must be proficient in written and spoken English.

Subject to background / security investigation.

Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements.

Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.

Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.

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 :

United States Citizenship : Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

Language Proficiency : PTA candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).

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.

(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.

Exceptions for Non-Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant :

(a) Non-licensed applicants who otherwise meet the minimum qualification requirements, but who do not possess state licensure, may be appointed, pending licensure, as a graduate PTA on a full-time temporary appointment under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7401(a)(1)(B) and not to exceed two years in accordance with the timeframe in 38 U.S.C. 7405(c)(2)(B).

(b) Non-licensed individuals shall only provide care under the direct supervision of a licensed PTA or PT who meets all state regulatory requirements.

(c) Non-licensed individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted / converted until licensure is obtained.

(d) Temporary appointments of non-licensed PTAs may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment.

Failure to Obtain Licensure. In all cases, non-licensed PTAs must actively pursue meeting requirements for licensure starting from the date of their appointment. At the time of appointment, the supervisor will provide the non-licensed PTA with the written requirements for licensure, including the time by which the license must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming licensed by the deadline. Failure to obtain licensure during this time period may result in termination of employment.

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).

Grade Determinations :

In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates :

Physical Therapy Assistant, GS-5. Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.

Physical Therapy Assistant, GS-6. Experience : One (1) year of creditable experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade.

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.

Physical Therapy Assistant, GS-7. Experience : One (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities :

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.

Physical Therapy Assistant, GS-8. Experience : One (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade.

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