Physical Therapy Assistant

Physical Therapy Assistant

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Position located within Sensory & Physical Rehabilitation Service Line at the Providence VA Healthcare System. This is a full‑time, 40‑hour per week role.

Base pay range: $62,664.00/yr – $81,469.00/yr (actual pay based on skills and experience).

• United States Citizenship (non‑citizens only if it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy).
• Education:
  
  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 of the United States (including Puerto Rico) or District of Columbia.
• Experience:
  
  One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade.
• Knowledge, Skills & 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 and assessment techniques to perform specific interventions and monitor progress of the patient/client.
  • Ability to instruct patient on varied interventions 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.
• Physical Requirements:
  
  Please see VA Handbook and Directive 5019 – Employee Occupational Health.

• Responsible for services that promote 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 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.
• Provides standard and non‑standard physical therapy procedures within a broad diagnostic spectrum of diseases and disorders.
• Demonstrates understanding that patients often have multiple physical/medical and psychosocial deficits, necessitating adaptive treatment practices.
• Provides evidence‑based skilled interventions (e.g., therapeutic exercise, activities, modalities, gait training, stair training, transfer training, manual treatment, neuromuscular re‑education, self‑care and management training, patient/caregiver education, group therapy).
• Communicates regularly with treating or supervisory physical therapist on patient response to treatment and assists in modifying treatment plans as appropriate.
• Provides thorough written documentation of patient status, response to treatment, progress and therapy plan.
• Provides patients and their families/caregivers with education, information and training regarding nature of disease or disability, treatment plan, goals, home exercise program and post‑program adjustments.
• Provides patient care both face‑to‑face in clinic and virtually via VA Video Connect (VVC) when needed.
• Evaluates home environment to recommend changes or modifications to facilitate patient function.
• Checks therapy equipment prior to use and observes safety precautions.
• Might be assigned to support inpatient physical therapy for sick and annual leave coverage.
• Completes patient encounters for all visits by coding service connection, diagnoses and procedures within 3‑days of encounter.
• Participates in competency review compliance within Providence HCS specialty and VISN1 if required.
• Displays awareness of basic financial management principles and fiscal responsibility.
• Other duties as assigned.