Physical Therapy Assistant

This position is located at the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, IL (578) - a Level 1a Complexity VHA Facility.

This is the functional statement of the physical therapist assistant employed at Hines VA Hospital, Hines, IL. This employee is expected to spend no less than 75% (6 contact hours) each day in the treatment of patients at Hines VA Hospital using the principles and practices of physical therapy. This PTA will be primarily assigned to the outpatient section within the Hines PM&R physical therapy department. While the incumbent will be assigned to the outpatient section, the PTA may be assigned to cover other sections dependent upon staffing and census needs as directed by the Hines Physical Therapy Supervisor or PM&R leadership.

CLINICAL
The physical therapist assistant is assigned to and support physical therapists with the Hines VA Physical Therapy Department, where they carry out the responsibilities appropriate to the established physical therapy section to provide services that promote prevention, remediation, and rehabilitation of acute and chronic physical dysfunction. The PTA participates with the PT in planning and implementing complex treatment programs and applies physical therapy procedures to patient. They collaborate with the primary PT then draw upon a broad-based practical knowledge and a well-developed treatment skill set in order to reach pre-determined patient goals by independently modifying techniques within the established plan of care.
The incumbent will provide patient care and support services to an adult population with neurological conditions, amputations, general surgical, and other medical conditions. They provide evidence based skilled interventions including, but not limited to, therapeutic exercise, therapeutic activities, therapeutic modalities, gait training, transfer training, manual treatment, neuromuscular re-education, self-care management and training, patient/caregiver's education, and group therapy.

SUPERVISORY CONTROL
The physical therapist assistant receives guidance from the physical therapy supervisor through monthly staff meetings, daily interaction, where they become acquainted with VA polices and procedures on local and national levels. Works with a higher degree of independence in planning and carrying out highly specialized and complex treatments, as assigned by the physical therapist.

EDUCATION:
Attend educational opportunities regarding conditions of patients assigned to his/her care. Provide in-services to physical therapy staff, physicians/residents, interdisciplinary teams, for their professional development as assigned/required.

ADMINISTRATIVE:
Attends and participates in scheduled and appointed professional program committee meetings, workshops conferences, and seminars. Allows flexibility in their daily schedule and covers for absent staff members, as appropriate to their scope of practice, within the physical therapy department, to ensure continuity and quality of care.

OTHER DUTIES
Routine duties expected are as follows:- Assist the physical therapist in patient care- Responsible for the disposal and maintenance of linen supply, neatness and cleanliness of the clinic beyond that which is the function of the Environmental Management Service- Assist with maintaining clinic supply- Participate in peer review chart audits, when asked- Other duties as assigned to them by clinic leads and/or PT supervisor.
The incumbent shall be aware of patient safety in all clinical activities and fully participate in all required safety training. Safety concerns and issues will be brought to the immediate attention of the supervisor; documents all patients', staff, and visitor incidents in the appropriate menu.


Work Schedule: Monday through Friday; 8:00am - 4:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #:

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.
• 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-8
• Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade performing duties such as, but not limited to: 1) Receiving ongoing guidance from more experienced staff members and receiving general direction by the treating PT; 2) Drawing upon a broad base of practical and experiential knowledge in order to assist the PT in reaching pre-determined patient goals; 3) Working independently but still under the general direction of PTs; 4) Observing patients' ability to perform specified tasks in order to provide ongoing assessment of information on patients' physical and functional status; 5) Working with the physical therapy staff to assess progress, modify treatment and set discharge plan; OR 6) Providing clinical direction for PTA students.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the basic requirements, 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 3 years outpatient clinic experience.

References: VA Handbook 5005/139 PART II APPENDIX G23

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.
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).

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is 8.

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/.

• 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.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.