Physical Therapy Assistant

Defense Health Agency • Fort Leonard Wood, MO

7d

About The Position

This is an open continuous Direct Hire announcement with multiple vacancies that may be filled at any of the listed locations. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis, and qualified applicants will be considered as vacancies become available. The Physical Therapy Assistant performs complex physical therapy duties using practical knowledge of physical therapy, evidence-based medicine, and data collection. The position supports evaluations and interventions, implements care based on a physical therapist’s findings, instructs patients and caregivers, and helps improve patients’ functional independence. The role may involve irregular and on-call schedules, direct patient contact, and reporting to work during emergencies or contingency operations.

Requirements

• Meet the basic qualification requirement through one year of specialized experience implementing physical therapy treatment plans, instructing physical therapy programs, or providing patient-care status reports; or one full year of graduate-level education in a directly related field; or a qualifying combination of education and experience.
• Provide proof of U.S. citizenship.
• Undergo a suitability or fitness determination and required personnel security investigation; additional initial or recurring background checks may apply because the position may involve recurring interaction with children and youth under 18.
• Consent to seasonal influenza vaccination or provide a recognized exemption, if required.
• Complete a pre-placement medical examination or immunization screening if required; Hepatitis B immunization is required for positions involving direct patient contact, and other immunizations may be required depending on the position.
• Obtain and maintain current Basic Life Support certification through the American Red Cross or American Heart Association if required; advanced certification does not replace BLS.
• Complete tuberculosis testing if required.
• Be able to perform moderate to heavy lifting up to 45 pounds if required.
• Be available for on-call work during irregular hours, potentially including evenings, weekends, holidays, or varying schedules, if required.
• Meet any additional position-specific requirements communicated during the hiring process.

Responsibilities

• Perform complex physical therapy duties, including specific aspects of evaluations and interventions, using practical knowledge of physical therapy, evidence-based medicine, and data collection.
• Interpret a physical therapist’s findings to initiate care while considering the patient’s neurological, surgical, sensory, respiratory, and cardiac status; gait ability; posture; age; and general health.
• Instruct patients, family members, and other health workers in selected treatment procedures and functional training activities.
• Ensure treatment plans are designed to promote healing and pain relief and improve patients’ functional independence.
• Perform non-technical maintenance of equipment to help prevent malfunctions.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level