"Alerted.org

Summary 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. Responsibilities 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: Under the clinical supervision of a PT, plans, integrates, and communicates comprehensive physical therapy treatments for patients with SCI/D who have a variety of deficits including complete or incomplete paralysis of upper lower extremities with the associated medical and functional problems. Therapeutic objectives are complex, and the treatment procedures involved require the application of highly specialized skills and knowledge. Develops and implements individualized physical therapy treatments including resistive exercises, passive and active range of motion, functional mobility training, postural training, transfer training, etc., for acute and chronic, inpatient and outpatient spinal cord injured patients. Recognizes and considers the various interacting medical and psychosocial variables, which affect the individual with SCI/D when preparing a treatment plan and motivate the patient to become an active participant in their rehabilitation process. Monitors patient progress and modifies treatments as necessary according to an ongoing evaluation process, in order to optimize patient condition and allow patient to reach the goals established in conjunction with team. Factors include medical and functional status, psychosocial variables, patient needs and goals, and available treatment modalities. Assists PT's in home evaluations, mobility evaluations, gait and transfer evaluations, activities of daily living evaluations and equipment evaluations. Demonstrates knowledge, skills and abilities that are required for a Lead PTA. Advanced knowledge of treatment techniques in order to assess changes in physical, mental, and /or medical knowledge of treatment techniques in order to assess changes in physical, mental, and /or medical status . Determines if a patient is oriented x 4 (name, place, date and their situation) checking patient blood pressure, loss of normal strength, sign of early fatigue secondary to under or over medication or deconditioning. Able to work with PT's to progress patient within PT treatment plan. Advanced knowledge of physical therapy data collection and assessment techniques in order to perform specified aspects of patient evaluations and interventions. Evaluates patient position and technique when performing therapy exercises. Instructs patient in the correct and proper way of performing transfers, wheelchair management and using gym equipment. Skills to manage and/or maintain responsibility for a specialty program. Trains patients on highly specialized therapy equipment at the SCI Center, including the Lokomat, Alter G treadmill, Bioness, and Functional Electrical Stimulation bike. Conduct research on the specialized equipment and communicate closely with vendors to ensure receipt of updates to the equipment. Provides staff with periodic training on the specialized equipment to ensure they remain familiar with the complex equipment. Screen, advise, and assist Veterans through the physical therapy regimen. Adapts and adjusts physical therapy procedures as needed. Provides in-services to the SCI staff and other hospital personnel on SCI PTA evaluation and treatment procedures. Provides education and training to family members, caregivers, and significant others in areas of PTA. Remains current with new developments in SCI physical therapy and will maintain professional competency by reading professional journals and engaging in continuing education activities and professional learning experiences, and by communicating with other professionals. Monitors equipment used by the patients to ensure the equipment is functioning maximally and properly calibrated to give accurate measures and ensure patient safety. Maintains Basic Life Support certification with no lapse. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). 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). Education Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. 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. NOTE: If your school was accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, at the time of graduation, but is no longer listed on the website:https://www.capteonline.org/, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet. NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. Transcripts must be provided in your application. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.