Physical Therapy Assistant

Veterans Health Administration•Montgomery, AL

27d•Onsite

About The Position

The GS-9 Physical Therapy Assistant is assigned to the Physical Therapy Department within the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service at the Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System. The position requires advanced clinical competence and serves as a subject matter expert in a rehabilitation program, such as clinical education, geriatrics, orthopedics, cardiac rehabilitation, safe patient handling, or other functional debilitative conditions. Higher-level duties in the designated program account for at least 25% of the position. The incumbent serves veterans in the acute care hospital, outpatient clinics (in person and virtual care), and Community Living Center. Under the supervision of a Physical Therapist, the assistant helps plan and implement complex treatment programs and applies physical therapy procedures to prevent, remediate, and rehabilitate acute and chronic physical dysfunction. The role provides therapeutic treatment, advice, and consultation to veterans and their families, and applies advanced practice skills to treat complex patients. The position also represents the department on selected medical center committees as directed by the supervisor, attends interdepartmental meetings to develop and maintain patient-care best practices, conducts training as assigned, and completes continuing education to maintain knowledge and skills beyond entry level within the designated program. The full performance level and vacancy grade are GS-9. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual.

Requirements

Current, full, active, and unrestricted license as a Physical Therapy Assistant in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
Proficiency in spoken and written English.
Meet one of the accepted education pathways: an accredited associate degree in a physical therapy assistant program; a qualifying foreign physical therapy assistant degree and successful completion of the NPTE for PTAs; a qualifying military physical therapy assistant program and successful completion of the NPTE for PTAs; or eligibility under the applicable VA grandfathering provision.
One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade.
Meet at least one GS-9 specialty qualification pathway: 2,000 hours of clinical practice directly in the specialty area and 60 contact hours of selected continuing education completed within the past five years; APTA-recognized Advanced Practice Proficiency in the specialty area; or an additional academic degree related to the health care mission.
Demonstrate ability to mentor staff in advanced clinical guidelines and best practices.
Demonstrate ability to serve as a subject matter expert for healthcare providers in specialty practice areas regarding physical therapy care.
Demonstrate advanced knowledge of therapeutic interventions and clinical practice guidelines when presenting to the healthcare team.
Demonstrate ability to interpret and apply clinical practice guidelines.
Be a U.S. citizen, unless appointment of a non-citizen is permitted under VA policy.
Meet applicable Selective Service registration requirements for males born after December 31, 1959.
Complete required background/security investigation, onboarding, identification, and application documentation.
Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
Serve a one- or two-year trial period, as required.

Responsibilities

Serve veterans receiving inpatient acute care, outpatient face-to-face or virtual care, and care in the Community Living Center.
Work under a Physical Therapist’s supervision to provide services that prevent, remediate, and rehabilitate acute and chronic physical dysfunction.
Participate with the Physical Therapist in planning and implementing complex treatment programs and apply physical therapy procedures under general supervision.
Provide therapeutic treatment, advisory, and consultative services to veterans and their families.
Perform higher-level duties in a designated rehabilitation program for at least 25% of the time.
Apply advanced practice skills and specialized experience to treat complex patients.
Serve on selected medical center committees as directed by the supervisor, representing the department as a movement-dysfunction specialist and program subject matter expert.
Attend interdepartmental meetings to develop and maintain best practices for patient care.
Conduct training as assigned by the Coordinator for Clinical Education, Supervisory Physical Therapist, or designee.
Complete continuing education to support advanced knowledge and skills within the designated program.