Physical Therapy Assistant
The following duties will be performed, but not limited to:
Work in collaboration with supervisors and program team to develop services that mutually reinforce treatment themes to maximize treatment goals Participate in developing, maintaining and monitoring treatment goals and plans with participating patients. Including goals and plans for maximizing successful transitions between inpatient, outpatient and home community settings Liaison with medical providers from multiple disciplines as needed to optimize care for patients who may otherwise be vulnerable to disjunctions in care Established and maintains contact with other key staff involved in patient care via written, telephone and personal communication on a regular basis at VA Medical Center and VISN level Receives and interprets requests or instructions for procedures from the physical therapist or physician. Plans and implements specialized treatment programs and applies physical therapy procedures to patients under the general supervision of a physical therapist. Employee may carry out or oversee the work of a lower graded assistant to accommodate requests 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. Assists with or renders a course of treatment based on the assessing patient, developing progressive types of physical therapy treatment programs. This is done in consultation with a physical therapist or physician Assist therapist in development of a comprehensive specialized treatment plan that includes long-and short-term goals. Persuades and motivates veterans and family members to participate in treatment plan and comply with indicated regimens and post-discharge activities. Interacts with the patient and family regarding goals for treatment Assists in the performance of, or independently performs, highly specialized and diversified treatment procedures. Utilizes the full range of modalities including heat, cold, sound, electricity, and massage. Administers non-complex active and passive therapeutic exercise. Fits, adjusts and instructs patients in use of orthoses, prostheses, and mobility appliances. Instructs, motivates, and assists patients to learn activities of daily living and improve functional activities. Prepares and maintains appropriate equipment and supplies required for these treatments Varies procedures or positions to adjust for veteran's medical conditions. Modifies intervention environment, tools, materials, an activities in response to each veteran's response to treatment. With prior approval of the therapist, adapts the technical procedures and approaches involving new and unusual treatment and rehabilitation objectives to meet the individual veteran's needs. Modifies or adapts specialized treatment approaches within the scope of the established treatment plan to reflect the changing needs of the veteran 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. Participates in family and multidisciplinary team meetings to identify patient's needs, report on patient's goals and progress and to assist in planning patient's treatment program 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 supervisor the need for equipment or items necessary for patient treatment Demonstrates and maintains full competency in the use, pre-cleaning and/or reprocessing of reusable medical equipment. Must ensure that the appropriate Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and manufacturer's instructions are followed for any step in the use of RME (pre-cleaning, reprocessing, disinfection, sterilization, maintenance) in which the employee is involved 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 Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/07/2019. 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. Education:
Successful completion of an associate's 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). 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). Grade Determinations:
GS-04 Assignment:
Employees at this grade level serve as staff PTAs. It is expected that they receive guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex patients and require direct supervision by the treating physical therapist. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Ability to perform chart review. Ability to obtain subjective history. Ability to interpret information gained through subjective history. Ability to communicate verbally and in writing with the patient, the physical therapist, health care providers, and others. GS-05 Assignment:
Employees at this grade level serve as staff PTAs. It is expected that they receive guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex patients and require direct supervision by the treating physical therapist. Experience. In addition to the basic requirements, 6 months 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 assess changes in physical, mental, and/or medical status. Knowledge of treatment techniques needed to assess changes in physical, mental, and/or medical status. Ability to recognize individual and cultural differences and respond appropriately in all aspects of physical therapy services. GS-06 Assignment:
Employees at this grade level serve as staff PTAs receiving little to no guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex patients and require general supervision by the treating physical therapist.
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. Knowledge of physical therapy data collection and ongoing assessment techniques in order to perform specified aspects of patient evaluation and interventions. Knowledge of basic biological and medical science to assess patient data; make a preliminary determination of their needs; develop treatment goals and objectives; and implement patient treatment plans. GS-07 Assignment:
Employees at this grade level serve as staff PTAs. This is the full performance level for the PTA. Assignments include:
service as an active team member in a comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation program such as geriatrics, amputee, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, cardiac rehabilitation, aquatics, orthopedics, or wound care, etc.; prepare, provide, and supervise clinical training experiences for PTA students; and independently provide patient education to patients and their caregivers.
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. Knowledge of contemporary physical therapy practice. This may be demonstrated through continuing education courses, in-service training, or journal article reviews. Ability to independently implement selected components of interventions identified in the plan of care established by the physical therapist. References:
VA HANDBOOK 5005/15 PART II APPENDIX G23 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-04 to GS-07.
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
Work in collaboration with supervisors and program team to develop services that mutually reinforce treatment themes to maximize treatment goals Participate in developing, maintaining and monitoring treatment goals and plans with participating patients. Including goals and plans for maximizing successful transitions between inpatient, outpatient and home community settings Liaison with medical providers from multiple disciplines as needed to optimize care for patients who may otherwise be vulnerable to disjunctions in care Established and maintains contact with other key staff involved in patient care via written, telephone and personal communication on a regular basis at VA Medical Center and VISN level Receives and interprets requests or instructions for procedures from the physical therapist or physician. Plans and implements specialized treatment programs and applies physical therapy procedures to patients under the general supervision of a physical therapist. Employee may carry out or oversee the work of a lower graded assistant to accommodate requests 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. Assists with or renders a course of treatment based on the assessing patient, developing progressive types of physical therapy treatment programs. This is done in consultation with a physical therapist or physician Assist therapist in development of a comprehensive specialized treatment plan that includes long-and short-term goals. Persuades and motivates veterans and family members to participate in treatment plan and comply with indicated regimens and post-discharge activities. Interacts with the patient and family regarding goals for treatment Assists in the performance of, or independently performs, highly specialized and diversified treatment procedures. Utilizes the full range of modalities including heat, cold, sound, electricity, and massage. Administers non-complex active and passive therapeutic exercise. Fits, adjusts and instructs patients in use of orthoses, prostheses, and mobility appliances. Instructs, motivates, and assists patients to learn activities of daily living and improve functional activities. Prepares and maintains appropriate equipment and supplies required for these treatments Varies procedures or positions to adjust for veteran's medical conditions. Modifies intervention environment, tools, materials, an activities in response to each veteran's response to treatment. With prior approval of the therapist, adapts the technical procedures and approaches involving new and unusual treatment and rehabilitation objectives to meet the individual veteran's needs. Modifies or adapts specialized treatment approaches within the scope of the established treatment plan to reflect the changing needs of the veteran 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. Participates in family and multidisciplinary team meetings to identify patient's needs, report on patient's goals and progress and to assist in planning patient's treatment program 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 supervisor the need for equipment or items necessary for patient treatment Demonstrates and maintains full competency in the use, pre-cleaning and/or reprocessing of reusable medical equipment. Must ensure that the appropriate Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and manufacturer's instructions are followed for any step in the use of RME (pre-cleaning, reprocessing, disinfection, sterilization, maintenance) in which the employee is involved 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 Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/07/2019. 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. Education:
Successful completion of an associate's 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). 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). Grade Determinations:
GS-04 Assignment:
Employees at this grade level serve as staff PTAs. It is expected that they receive guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex patients and require direct supervision by the treating physical therapist. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Ability to perform chart review. Ability to obtain subjective history. Ability to interpret information gained through subjective history. Ability to communicate verbally and in writing with the patient, the physical therapist, health care providers, and others. GS-05 Assignment:
Employees at this grade level serve as staff PTAs. It is expected that they receive guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex patients and require direct supervision by the treating physical therapist. Experience. In addition to the basic requirements, 6 months 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 assess changes in physical, mental, and/or medical status. Knowledge of treatment techniques needed to assess changes in physical, mental, and/or medical status. Ability to recognize individual and cultural differences and respond appropriately in all aspects of physical therapy services. GS-06 Assignment:
Employees at this grade level serve as staff PTAs receiving little to no guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex patients and require general supervision by the treating physical therapist.
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. Knowledge of physical therapy data collection and ongoing assessment techniques in order to perform specified aspects of patient evaluation and interventions. Knowledge of basic biological and medical science to assess patient data; make a preliminary determination of their needs; develop treatment goals and objectives; and implement patient treatment plans. GS-07 Assignment:
Employees at this grade level serve as staff PTAs. This is the full performance level for the PTA. Assignments include:
service as an active team member in a comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation program such as geriatrics, amputee, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, cardiac rehabilitation, aquatics, orthopedics, or wound care, etc.; prepare, provide, and supervise clinical training experiences for PTA students; and independently provide patient education to patients and their caregivers.
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. Knowledge of contemporary physical therapy practice. This may be demonstrated through continuing education courses, in-service training, or journal article reviews. Ability to independently implement selected components of interventions identified in the plan of care established by the physical therapist. References:
VA HANDBOOK 5005/15 PART II APPENDIX G23 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-04 to GS-07.
- Department:
0636 Rehabilitation Therapy Assistant - Salary Range:
$36,212 to $65,243 per year
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
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