• Job Description

  Req#: 837742700
  The SCI Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) position is in the Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Service of VA San Diego Health Care System (VASDHS). The SCI PTA at this level must possess and demonstrate a level of clinical competence to serve as a consultant to other PTA's; and serves as the SCI Center Coordinator for clinical education for PTA students. The PTA works closely with interdisciplinary SCI staff, orthopedic staff, and intensive care unit staff.
  
  
  
  
  
  Duties
  
  
  The SCI Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), (GS-8) is the above the full performance level for the (PTA). Provides assessment and treatment intervention for patients with Spinal Cord Injuries and Disorders (SCI/D), who have a variety of deficits including complete or incomplete paralysis of upper and lower extremities and the associated problems which paralysis affects. The PTA participates with the PT in planning and implementing complex treatment programs and applies physical therapy procedures to patients under the general supervision of a PT.
  
  Major Duties includes but not limited to:
  
  
  Requirements
  
  
  
  
  Qualifications
  
  
  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. 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; OR
    • (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. OR
    • (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. (Must be provided with your application)
  • English Language Proficiency. PTA candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
  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: Physical Therapy Assistant, GS-8
  
  Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade, GS-07.
  
  In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
  (a) Ability to independently implement treatment plan using knowledge of techniques related to the patient's disability and needs.
  (b) 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.).
  (c) 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.
  (d) Ability to instruct patient on varied interventions to provide materials to enhance compliance with home programs.
  (e) Ability to modify treatment techniques based on the learning needs and perceptions of the patient.
  (f) Ability to identify critical changes (e.g. vital signs, pain, mobility and alertness) in patient conditions to determine their medical and functional status. (g) 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.
  
  Assignment. This is considered the journey level for PTAs. PTAs at this level collaborate with the primary PT then draw upon a broad base of practical knowledge and a well-developed treatment skill set in order to reach predetermined patient goals by independently modifying techniques within the established plan of care. They implement the plan of care for patient cases, advance the program and continually review the patient's condition to determine their medical and functional status. They provide evidenced based skilled interventions including, but not limited to, therapeutic exercise, therapeutic activities, therapeutic modalities, gait training, transfer training, manual treatment, neuromuscular re-education, self-care and management training, patient/caregiver's education and group therapy. They meet with the physical therapy staff and other healthcare team members to evaluate and discuss patient information for planning, modifying and coordinating treatment programs and discharge planning.
  
  Preferred Experience:
  • Advanced knowledge of treatment techniques in order to assess changes in physical, mental, and/or medical status.
  • Advanced knowledge of physical therapy data collection and assessment techniques in order to perform specified aspects of patient evaluations and interventions.
  • Skill to manage and/or maintain responsibility for a specialty program.
  • Ability to lead a group of employees and communicate information regarding work assignments and scheduling.
  • Ability to instruct students and manage a trainee program for PTA students.
  Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
  
  The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-8.
  
  Physical Requirements:
  Needs to be mobile in the work environment. Performs work in a clinical area, various hospital wards, intensive care units, and patients' home/work environments. Work requires good physical and mental health, strength, coordination, balance, pushing, stooping, reaching, kneeling, bending, walking, handling of wheelchairs, and intermittent standing.
  
  Physical demands include very heavy work, defined as lifting objects in excess of 100 pounds with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing 50 pounds or more.
  
  Other Requirements:
  Will be required to work on weekends and holidays (rotations with SCI PTs).

• About the company

  The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is a Cabinet-level executive branch department of the federal government charged with integrating life-long healthcare services to eligible military veterans at the 1700 VA medical centers and outpatient clinics located throughout the country.

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