Physical Therapist Assistant

Summary

The incumbent for this position carries a full patient caseload and is responsible for maintaining appropriate patient records. The Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) provides treatment that promotes the prevention, remediation, and rehabilitation of acute and chronic physical and psychosocial dysfunction at the basic introductory level. Position can include both acute inpatient hospital and outpatient treatment locations. Weekend and holiday workdays are expected.

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.

• United States Citizenship:
  Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• English 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 following:
• 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
• 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
• Graduate of military physical therapy assistant programs that meet the educational requirement and have successfully passed the NPTE for PTAs
• NOTE:
  
  To verify education – you must supply either a copy of your college transcripts (may be unofficial) or if qualifying via military program – a copy of the completion certificate for that program
• 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. 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)
• 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
• For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard – but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed – the following provisions apply:
  Employees may be reassigned or promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level or changed to lower grade within the occupation – but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions
• Employees in an occupation requiring a licensure/certification/registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/certification/registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher-grade levels
• Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed – on a temporary or permanent basis – until they fully meet the basic requirements of this standard
• Employees who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation
• Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation – who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation
• Grade Determinations:
  Physical Therapy Assistant – GS‑8 Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next…