NYS SOciety of ORTHOPAEDIC Surgeons

As a member of the Physical Therapy Section / Rehabilitation Service, the Physical Therapy Assistant provides physical therapy treatments that promote the wellness, remediation, and rehabilitation of veterans with complex acute and chronic medical problems. The incumbent will provide services in one or more clinical settings: inpatient, outpatient, CLC and Subacute, and works under the supervision of the Chief, Physical Therapy (PT) Section. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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. Successful completion of an associate's 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 (CAPTE). 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. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency. Physical Therapy Assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Preferred Experience: Three years of experience in a general outpatient physical therapy setting. Grade Determinations: GS-5 Experience: In addition to the basic requirements, 6 months of experience comparable to the next lower grade level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Ability to assess changes in physical, mental, and/or medical status. 2. Knowledge of treatment techniques needed to assess changes in physical, mental, and/or medical status. 3. Ability to recognize individual and cultural differences and respond appropriately in all aspects of physical therapy services. Assignment: Employees at this grade level serve as staff PTAs. It is expected that they receive guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex patients and require direct supervision by the treating physical therapist. GS-6 Experience: In addition to the basic requirements, 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Knowledge of evidence based physical therapy practice. 2. Knowledge of physical therapy data collection and ongoing assessment techniques in order to perform specified aspects of patient evaluation and interventions. 3. Knowledge of basic biological and medical science to assess patient data; make a preliminary determination of their needs; develop treatment goals and objectives; and implement patient treatment plans. Assignment: Employees at this grade level serve as staff PTAs receiving little to no guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex patients and require general supervision by the treating physical therapist. GS-7 Experience: In addition to the basic requirements, 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Ability to organize data, format that data into a presentation, and present information pertinent to patient care in formal or informal settings. Examples may include providing in-service training to staff or formal presentations to the treatment team. 2. Knowledge of contemporary physical therapy practice. This may be demonstrated through continuing education courses, in-service training, or journal article reviews. 3. Ability to independently implement selected components of interventions identified in the plan of care established by the physical therapist. Assignment: Employees at this grade level serve as staff PTAs. This is the full performance level for the PTA. Assignments include: service as an active team member in a comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation program such as geriatrics, amputee, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, cardiac rehabilitation, aquatics, orthopedics, or wound care, etc.; prepare, provide, and supervise clinical training experiences for PTA students; and independently provide patient education to patients and their caregivers. GS-8 Experience: Completion of 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk: 1. Advanced knowledge of treatment techniques in order to assess changes in physical, mental, and/or medical status. 2. Advanced knowledge of physical therapy data collection and assessment techniques in order to perform specified aspects of patient evaluations and interventions. *3. Skill to manage and/or maintain responsibility for a specialty program. *4. Ability to lead a group of employees and communicate information regarding work assignments and scheduling. *5. Ability to instruct students and manage a trainee program for PTA students. Assignment: For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Employees at this grade level serve as senior PTAs. Candidates for assignment at this level must possess and demonstrate a level of clinical competence to serve as a consultant to other PTAs. Typical assignments for candidates at this grade level include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: 1. Serve as a lead PTA for a group of PTAs. 2. Coordinates PTA programming responsibility for a specialty program. 3. Serves as the medical center coordinator for clinical education for PTA students, to include developing training plans, scheduling rotation assignments, providing feedback on students' performance, and participating in clinical training education for PTA students. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/15, PART II, APPENDIX G23. PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSISTANT QUALIFICATION STANDARD STANDARD, GS-636, Veterans Health Administration. Physical Requirements: The work involves standing and walking for about 70-80% of a normal workday. In addition, the PTA must be able to squat, kneel, push and pull, and lift loads from the ground and from above shoulder height. The physical demand level as defined by the Department of Labor is 'Medium' requiring the occasional lifting of 20-50 lbs, the frequent lifting of 10-25 lbs and the constant lifting of 10 lbs during the normal workday. Physical Therapy requires manual dexterity and coordination to use modalities such as ultrasound and TENS units, and to demonstrate the use of mobility equipment such as walkers and wheelchairs. In addition, PTA's must be able to modify such equipment using tools. ["Major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: Receive and interpret requests or instructions for procedures from the physical therapists or physician. Plans and implements therapy for patients under the close and sometimes direct supervision of a physical therapist. Completes a chart review and obtain a subjective history. Administers therapy to patients incorporating accepted modalities and treatment standards per the American Physical Therapy Association (PTA) under the close and sometimes direct supervision of a physical therapist. Demonstrates familiarity and basic competencies in all clinical modalities, exercise and functional activities to enhance patient independence. Communicates with treating physical therapist to allow for development and modification of treatment plans. Persuades and motivates veterans and family members to participate in treatment plan and comply with indicated regimens and post-discharge activities. Interacts with the patient and family goals for treatment under the close and sometimes direct supervision of a physical therapist. Fits, adjusts, and instructs patients in the use of orthoses, prostheses, and mobility appliances. Instructs, motivates, and assists patients to learn activities of daily living and improve functional activities. Prepares and presents written and oral reports for the physical therapist and fellow healthcare professionals concerned with the patient's care as needed. Participates in family and multidisciplinary team meetings to identify patient's needs, reports on patient's goals and progress and to assist in planning patient's treatment program. Maintains a safe work environment to include non-technical maintenance of equipment, safety checks cleaning, stocking, etc. Develops safe work habits to prevent injury to patients, co-workers, and self. Reports to Supervisory Physical Therapist the need for equipment or items necessary for patient treatment. Maintain a high level of competence through participation in continuing education programs, clinical in-services, and on-line training. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm.\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 000000, Physical Therapy Assistant\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]