Physical Therapy Assistant

Summary

This Physical Therapy Assistant position is located within the Sensory & Physical Rehabilitation Service Line of the Providence VA Healthcare System. This position is full-time at 40 hours per week.

• United States Citizenship
• Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• Education
• Individuals must meet at least one of the requirements below:
  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
• 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
• Grade Determinations:
  Physical Therapy Assistant - GS-8. In addition to the basic requirements outlined in paragraph 3 - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• Experience
• One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade
• Demonstrated Knowledge
  - Skills and Abilities
• In addition to the basic requirements - 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
• Preferred Experience:
  
  3+years of outpatient clinical experience Current and/or prior VA clinical experience Inpatient and outpatient clinical experience Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). Standards/
• Physical Requirements:
  
  Please see VA Handbook and Directive 5019 - Employee Occupational Health.

• This position is in the Physical Therapy Department - within the Sensory and Physical Rehabilitation Service Line at the Providence - RI Health Care System (HCS)
• The majority of clinical duties and responsibilities are carried out in the Rehabilitation Clinic or the hospital Inpatient Wards with additional services that may be required throughout the medical center - including all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the service
• VA Careers - Physical Therapy:  Major duties include - but are not limited to:
  Provides services that promote the prevention - remediation and rehabilitation of acute and chronic physical dysfunction
• Participates with the PT in planning and implementing complex treatment programs and applies physical therapy procedures to patients
• Completes a preliminary review of patient data - including medical history and review of physical therapy evaluation
• Implements and coordinates treatment plans and selects techniques and sequence of activities to help patients meet their needs in collaboration with the treating or supervising physical therapist
  
  Pro…