Summary This position is located in the Rehabilitation Care Line. The Physical Therapy Assistant/ Specialty Practice (SP) completes duties that are of significant scope, complexity and variety with minimal direction across the continuum of care and services provided by the Care Line. S/he develops training programs, schedules internship assignments, maintains currency with 23 academic affiliates with overall administration for 25-30 student experiences annually, and assists PT/PTA Clinical Instructors. Responsibilities VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY The major duties of this Physical Therapy Assistant position will include: a. General Skills: (1) Establishes and maintains contact with other key staff involved in patient care via written, telephone and personal communication on regular basis at VA Medical Center and VISN level. (2) Receives and interprets requests/instructions for procedures from the PT or physician. Plans and implements comprehensive treatment programs and applies physical therapy procedures to patients in collaboration with the primary PT. Incumbent may guide or oversee the work of lower graded assistants to accommodate request. (3) Completes comprehensive chart reviews of patient data (including medical history), compiles and organizes pertinent information, and develops/presents a patient profile to be used in assessing patient's status with the treatment team. Assists with or renders a course of treatment based on the assessed needs of the patient, developing progressive types of physical therapy treatment programs. (4) Collaborates with primary PT in development of a comprehensive specialized treatment plan that includes long- and short-term goals. (5) 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. b. Advanced Skills: (1) Proven ability to provide instruction/training to other members of the interdisciplinary team concerning the role of Physical Therapy, the role of clinical education and VA mission, and specialized techniques of assessing the medically complex geriatric patient. (2) Serves as PT Section Liaison between academic, professional organizations, and vendors in communicating critical education opportunities of benefit to the Rehab team. (3) Possession and demonstration of clinical competence to serve as an active team member in a comprehensive clinical program such as geriatrics/CLC Wellness and Clinical Education. (4) Ability to coordinate key professional data to assist in the education experience of PT trainees/students and volunteers. (5) Demonstrated minimum of 2000 hours of clinical practice directly in the specialty area of geriatric and completion of 60 contact hours of selected continuing education coursework within the past 5 years such as might be achieved with an Advanced Practice Proficiency (APP) in the specialty area of geriatrics recognized by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). (5) Demonstrated competence in clinical instruction with advanced clinical instructor certification (such as APTA Credentialed Clinical Instructor Program Levels I and II) along with mentor training. b. Administrative Functions: (1) Conducts record keeping related to patient care documentation and quality improvement data collection. Performs timely interim and final evaluation of exiting trainees, students and volunteer. Collaborates with Rehabilitation Coordinator to ensure fiscal accountability for OAA funds and assists with trainee allocation application. (2) Assists Advanced Medical Support Assistants with consult management and return to clinic needs utilizing Consult Tracking Tool to include travel arrangements prn. (3) Performs other tasks as assigned by the Supervisors, Physical Therapy Section that are consistent with the mission of the Section, the Rehab Care Service Line and the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. c. Continuing Education & Professional Development: (1) The PTA/SP continually seeks to improve knowledge and skill by review of current literature, participation within in-service training, presentations in Journal Club, and attendance at continuing education programs. Works with the PT Supervisors and RCL Management to advance the knowledge and skills of the rehab staff and serves as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) regarding geriatrics and clinical education/academic advances among affiliated programs. (2) Continuing education and training will include coursework directed toward the development and improvement of clinical instruction, data collections and reporting techniques, and utilization and reporting of outcome measures in assigned settings and/or specialty area of geriatrics and clinical education. d. Environmental Functions: (1) Demonstrates awareness of safety hazards and takes corrective action. (2) Ability to mentor other Rehab staff in advanced clinical practice guidelines. Represents Care Line regarding Patient Safe Handling initiatives and program development. (3) Ensures PT trainees/students, and volunteers within the Care Line meet infection control mandates prior to onboarding. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 92119-A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required. 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. 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 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: Physical Therapy Assistant, GS-9. (1) Experience. One year of 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. Preferred Experience: Advanced Practice Proficiency (APP) in Geriatrics is preferred, along with experience in Clinical Education, as evidenced with attainment of APTA CCIP Level I and/or Level II, as well as working/mentoring as a Site Coordinator of Clinical Education (SCCE). Additional experience in program development such as with early mobility programs (e.g., STRIDE) would strengthen consideration for this role. References: VA Handbook 5005/139, Part II, Appendix G23 Physical Requirements: The incumbent of the position will meet and maintain physical and drug test program requirements for the position as required. Ability to walk or to get to all clinics daily requires standing, bending and sitting, as well as carrying light objects. Due to the complexity of the work, the multiplicity of the projects at any one time, deadlines, and duties, the job requires a high level of energy, and may be psychologically stressful at times. Given the probability of patient treatment, the work requires above-average agility and dexterity, heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; use of fingers, both hands required; reaching above shoulder; walking (8 hours); standing (8 hours); both legs required (1 prosthetic); 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. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. 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. 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. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. 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. VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana and Michigan (VISN 10) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.