Physical Therapy Assistant

Summary

This position is in the Physical Therapy Section of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) in the Ann Arbor VA Health System. The Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) provides treatment that promotes the prevention, remediation, and rehabilitation of acute and chronic physical and psychosocial dysfunction.

Duties

VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY Duties may include but are not limited to: Advanced knowledge of physical therapy data collection and assessment techniques across outpatient, acute care, subacute care settings. Functions as a clinical resource and consultant for PTA peers, helping guide treatment approaches and supporting decision-making. Providing department and medical center wide in-services and training. Leads and communicates work assignments, priorities, and scheduling information to PTA staff. Coordinates with staff PTs to select topics and organize PTA in-services or case studies to enhance team knowledge and skills. Presents at least one in-service each year to PT staff on a clinically relevant topic. Completes leadership and team-building TMS modules and leads PTA team-building activities. Supports department safety initiatives and ensures adherence to PT standards of practice, documentation expectations, and applicable performance measures including maintaining active role on the Safe Patient Handling Committee. Providing caregiver and home management training to patients and families having appropriately adapted complex/multi-step instructions to individual learning styles of those receiving the instructions. Receives and interprets requests or instructions for procedures from the Physical Therapist. Plans and implements treatment programs and applies Physical Therapy procedures to patients under the supervision of a Physical Therapist. Consults with the licensed Physical Therapist regarding complex or special problem cases. Lead PTA may carry out or oversee the work of a lower graded assistants to accommodate requests. Secures the confidence and cooperation of Veterans during treatment. Interacts with the patient and family to explain therapy procedures, discuss treatment plans and motivate Veterans and family members to comply with indicated regimens and post-discharge activities. Instructs, motivates, and assists patients to learn and improve functional activities. Independently develops therapeutic regimens for Physical Therapy patients based on the assigning Physical Therapist's patient evaluation and goals. Modifies the interventions based on the patient's response. Completes a review of patient data (including medical history). Assists in and renders a course of treatment based on the assessed needs of the patient, developing progressive types of Physical Therapy treatment programs. This is done in consultation with the Physical Therapist. Screens, advises, and assists Veterans through the Physical Therapy regimen. Adapts and adjust Physical Therapy procedures as needed. Assists Physical Therapist's in the development of a comprehensive specialized treatment plan that includes long and short-term goals. Independently modifies or adapts specialized treatment approaches with prior approval of the Physical Therapist. Makes modifications within the scope of the established treatment plan to reflect the changing needs of the Veteran and his or her sociocultural context. Modifies intervention environment, tools, materials, and activities in response to each Veteran's response to treatment. Adapts the technical procedures and approaches to meet Veteran's needs. Completes all required computerized computer documentation. Maintains a clean and 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 Chief of Physical Therapy and the need for equipment or items necessary for patient treatment. Follows infection control and all other safety procedures. Maintains a high level of competence through participation in continuing education programs. Assists with the clinical education of student Physical Therapist assistants, and the supervision and training of volunteers, work students and other healthcare practitioners. Attends all regularly scheduled department meetings. Performs other related duties, or responsibilities as assigned to support the overall mission of the Physical Therapy department or the Medical Center. Maintains daily clinic and equipment logs for survey readiness. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 94504-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

Qualifications

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. Individuals must meet at least one of the requirements below: 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, 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, 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. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. 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: In addition to the basic requirements outlined in paragraph 3, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Physical Therapy Assistant, GS-9 (1) Experience. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade, GS-8. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate one of the following:(a) A minimum of 2000 hours of clinical practice directly in the specialty area, and completion of 60 contact hours of selected continuing education coursework. This time must be within the past five years; or,(b) Advanced Practice Proficiency (APP) in the specialty area recognized by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA); or,(c) An additional academic degree related to the health care mission. (2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:(a) Ability to mentor other staff in advanced clinical guidelines and best practices.(b) Ability to serve as a subject matter expert (SME) for healthcare providers in specialty practice areas regarding physical therapy care.(c) Ability to present] advanced knowledge in the therapeutic interventions and clinical practice guidelines with the healthcare team.(d) Ability to interpret and apply clinical practice guidelines. Reference: VA Handbook 5005/139, Part II, Appendix G23 dated March 17, 2006. For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Req