The Physical Therapy Assistant is assigned to the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service located within the Medicine and Therapeutic Care Line at the Syracuse VAMC. The GS-8 Physical Therapy Assistant will be primarily assigned to the advertised location, but may be assigned based on staffing needs to provide physical therapy to any/all program areas that are covered by Rehabilitation Services as previously stated. Basic Requirements: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. Education. Applicants must have successfully completed an 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 (CAPTE) 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. Exceptions for Non-Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant Non-licensed applicants who otherwise meet the minimum qualification requirements, but who do not possess state licensure, may be appointed, pending licensure, as a graduate PTA on a full-time temporary appointment under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7401(a)(1)(B) and not to exceed two years in accordance with the timeframe in 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B). Non-licensed individuals shall only provide care under the direct supervision of a licensed PTA or PT who meets all state regulatory requirements. Non-licensed individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until licensure is obtained Temporary appointments of non-licensed PTAs may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment. 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). Grandfathering Provision. Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education and/or licensure/certification/ registration requirements that apply to this occupation. All individuals employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education and licensure/trademark/registration/certification. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (1) Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. (2) Employees in an occupation requiring a licensure/certification/registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/certification/registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher-grade levels.] (3) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of this standard. (4) Employees who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. (5) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. Grade Determinations: GS-5 None beyond the basic requirements. GS-6 Applicants must have at least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-5). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of evidence based physical therapy practice. Ability to perform physical therapy data collection and use of objective measures in order to carry out patient plan of care. Ability to modify treatment approaches, within the scope of the established treatment plans, to reflect patients' changing needs. Skill in promoting physical therapy services by providing training and interventions within the assigned areas. GS-7 Applicants must have at least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-6). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to perform in depth chart review to implement treatment plans. Ability to independently use objective measures to assess progress, in accordance with the plan of care for complex patient cases, Knowledge of contemporary physical therapy practice. Ability to consult with the PT to assess progress, modify treatment and set discharge plan. GS-8 Applicants must have at least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-7). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to independently implement treatment plan using knowledge of techniques related to the patient's disability and needs. 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.). 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. Ability to instruct patient on varied interventions to provide materials to enhance compliance with home programs. Ability to modify treatment techniques based on the learning needs and perceptions of the patient. Ability to identify critical changes (e.g. vital signs, pain, mobility and alertness) in patient conditions to determine their medical and functional status. 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. Preferred Experience: At least one year of experience as a Physical Therapy Assistant References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G-23 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-05 to GS-08. Physical Requirements: Work is sedentary but also demands standing, walking, bending, twisting, and carrying light items. Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; use of fingers, both hands required; reaching above shoulders; walking (8 hours); standing (8hours); sitting/typing at computer workstation (4 hours); both legs required; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing (aid permitted), and mental and emotional stability. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. ["VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY Major Duties Clinical Functions: Incumbent is a licensed physical therapy assistant who has graduated from an accredited physical therapy assistant education program. He/she is responsible for administering physical therapy programs under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. Incumbent performs thorough medical chart reviews and demonstrates ability to comprehend and interpret data for clinical application. Incumbent participates in planning and implementing complex treatment programs and applies highly specialized physical therapy procedures, techniques and interventions to patients under the supervision of the physical therapist. Incumbent modifies treatment approaches, within the scope of the established plan, to reflect patient's changing needs. Incumbent maintains current working knowledge of available technology and equipment. Incumbent appropriately assesses patients for durable medical equipment, adaptive /assistive devices and other recommended therapeutic equipment. Incumbent is responsible for procurement of said equipment/devices, issuance of equipment, education and training in equipment set-up, features, routine use, troubleshooting, cleaning, infection control practices and maintenance with proper documentation. Incumbent involves the patient, family members, caregivers, and pertinent health care staff in the treatment process by maintaining effective communications. Incumbent plans and implements appropriate education of patients, families and caregivers regarding the disease and/or disability incurred and about the treatment intervention provided including resumption of life roles in the home and community environment. Incumbent instructs patients/caregivers in home exercise programs, rehabilitation techniques, activities of daily living and use of assistive devices/adaptive equipment as appropriate. Incumbent initiates and maintains ongoing communication with the supervising physical therapist(s) regarding all aspects of direct and indirect patient care needs. He/she makes recommendations regarding need for ongoing therapy services, need for referral to other services, need for additional input from supervising therapist, termination of therapy services, etc. Incumbent communicates readily with the multidisciplinary treatment team, advising the team of patient's needs and progress, exchanging discharge planning information with them. This communication occurs through team meetings, ward rounds, written reports, and informal communication, such as personal and telephone conversations. Written communication is accomplished in a timely fashion. Administrative Duties: Incumbent is responsible for the care, upkeep, and sanitation of equipment in assigned work environment. He/she organizes and maintains clinical and administrative space in order to optimize safety, infection control and efficiency. Incumbent assesses equipment needs of the department and maintains adequate stock of supplies and materials. Incumbent schedules Veterans for treatment, considering priority and frequency of care and coordinates schedules with other members of the treatment team. Flexibility of schedule must be maintained to allow for unscheduled Veterans and unforeseen circumstances. Incumbent follows the VHA Outpatient Scheduling Processes and Procedures, and delegates these duties appropriately to medical support staff. This may include ensuring the rules for scheduling new consults are followed, entering return to clinic orders for follow up appointments and following procedures for communicating no-shows, Veteran cancellations and clinic cancellations. Incumbent delegates duties to assistants and other support staff and performs any necessary follow up as appropriate. Incumbent complies with all policies and procedures regarding documentation and coding of Veteran care. Incumbent demonstrates knowledge of computer skills for completion of documentation and other responsibilities as required. Incumbent attends and participates in all mandatory departmental staff meetings and training sessions. Incumbent plans and presents in-service education programs, when requested and/or as needed to the PT section, PM&R staff, and other services, as appropriate. Incumbent maintains communication with Physical Therapy Supervisor in regards to equipment malfunctioning, depletion and request of supplies, suggestions for new programming, program and/or departmental improvement, problems with Veterans/families/peers. All other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 21S57-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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