Summary Position is located in the Physical Therapy Department of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) in the Ann Arbor VA Health System. The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) provides treatment that promotes the prevention, remediation, and rehabilitation of acute and chronic physical and psychosocial dysfunction. Responsibilities VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY The PTA administers and monitors therapeutic interventions based on goals formulated by a Physical Therapist. The duties and responsibilities of this position are carried out within the medical center including various clinical, administrative, and patient care areas. In addition to having these duties, this position is designated as the Orthopedic PTA position for the department which will serve as the PTA working along side the Orthopedic Physical Therapy Specialists. Receives and interprets requests or instructions for procedures from the Physical Therapist including those therapists in the Orthopedic Specialty. Plans and implements basic 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, including those under the Orthopedic specialty. Independently develops therapeutic exercise regimen for physical therapy patients based on the assigning Physical Therapists evaluation and goals. Modifies exercises based on patients' response. Assists in management of the Orthopedic Rehab groups under the Orthopedic physical therapists. 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. Assists therapist in development of a comprehensive specialized treatment plan that includes long- and short-term goals. Persuades and motivates veterans and family members to participate in treatment plans and comply with indicated regimens and post-discharge activities. Interacts with the patient and family regarding goals for treatment. Assists in the performance of, or independently performs highly specialized and diverse treatment procedures. Utilizes the full range of modalities including, but not limited to, heat, cold, sound, electricity, and massage. Administers complex therapeutic exercises. Fits, adjusts and instructs patients in use of orthoses, prostheses, wheelchairs, and other mobility devices. Instructs, motivates, and assists patients to learn and improve functional activities. Prepares and maintains appropriate equipment and supplies required for these treatments. Varies procedures or positions to adjust for veterans' medical conditions. Modifies intervention environment, tools, materials and activities in response to each veteran's response to treatment. With prior approval of the therapist, adapts the technical procedures and approaches involving new and unusual treatment and rehabilitation objectives to meet the individual veterans' needs. Modifies or adapts specialized treatment approaches within the scope of the established treatment plan to reflect the changing needs of the veteran. Prepares written and oral reports for the physical therapists and other professionals concerned with the patient's care. Completes all required computerized computer documentation. Fulfills the role of the PTA-Orthopedic Specialist for the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System which has 8 PTA's at the Ann Arbor site by fulfilling the following responsibilities. a) Works alongside the Orthopedic Specialists and is the expert among physical therapist assistants for Orthopedic treatments and treatment progression. b) Manages the clinical logistics of the physical therapy Orthopedic program and serves as representative to the interdisciplinary care team. c) Advanced knowledge of Orthopedic physical therapy in order to perform specified aspects of patient interventions as well as over a wide variety of treatment areas such as outpatient, general acute care, sub-acute rehabilitation and long-term care. d) Attends all regularly scheduled department meetings as the representative PTA for the department. Presents Orthopedic in-services, shares journal information as may be required. e) Performs other related duties, or responsibilities as assigned to support the overall mission of the Physical Therapy Department or the Medical Center. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30 am - 4:00 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 93833-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. 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. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement,07/12/2024. 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: U.S. Citizenship: Must be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English 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. Grade Determinations: GS-9 GRADE REQUIREMENTS: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate one of the following: 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 Advanced Practice Proficiency (APP) in the specialty area recognized by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). OR An additional academic degree related to the health care mission. GS-9 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: The candidate must demonstrate the following technical 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. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty) and variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. PTAs at this level apply advanced practice skills to treat complex patients. PTAs possess an advanced level of clinical competence and serve as a SME in specialty practice areas. They serve as a subject matter expert in a rehabilitation program such as, but not limited to, geriatrics, amputee, brain injury, cardiac rehabilitation, orthopedics, neurological, safe patient handing, or any other functional debilitative conditions. They possess advanced practice skills and experience with a wide range of patient complexity. They apply advanced methodologies to a vast array of functional impairments and patients. They independently recommend and apply evidence-based treatment approaches within the plan of care. References: VA Handbook 5005/139, Part II, Appendix G23 Physical Therapy Assistant Qualification Standard, GS-0636. Physical Requirements: The employee works and functions in the medical center in a safe manner, including infection control and the correct operation of equipment. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. Additional Information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. 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. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members. If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.