Physical Therapy Assistant provides care at the VA Altoona Campus, as well as at the Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs), along with providing care and services in the outpatient, inpatient, community living center settings, and other medical center settings as needed. PTA will work collaboratively with various other therapeutic modalities. Modalities may include physical therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic care, yoga, and tai chi in support of national Whole Health Initiative Program. 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: (1) [ ] 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 (2) [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 (3) 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. Must pass pre-employment physical English Language requirement: 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). 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: Physical Therapy Assistant], GS-8 (1) Experience. [One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade. (2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. [In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Ability to independently implement treatment plan using knowledge of techniques related to the patient's disability and needs. (b) 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.). (c) 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. (d) Ability to instruct patient on varied interventions to provide materials to enhance compliance with home programs. (e) Ability to modify treatment techniques based on the learning needs and perceptions of the patient.. (f) Ability to identify critical changes (e.g. vital signs, pain, mobility and alertness) in patient conditions to determine their medical and functional status. (g) 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. Experience at the lower level is considered: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. [In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Ability to perform in depth chart review to implement treatment plans. (b) Ability to independently use objective measures to assess progress, in accordance with the plan of care for complex patient cases. (c) Knowledge of contemporary physical therapy practice. (d) Ability to consult with the PT to assess progress, modify treatment and set discharge plan Preferred Experience: 3 years of PTA experience in a hospital setting. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005, PART II, APPENDIX G23 dated January 28, 2021. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-8 only. Physical Requirements: Work includes regular and recurring physical excretion, with long periods of standing, bending, kneeling, walking, reaching, gripping, sitting, twisting, pulling or pushing carts with inventories or activities involving retrieving items from shelves and cabinets. and patient transfers. Moderate to heavy lifting is often required. The position demands significant physical stress and strain such as lifting patients, crouching and crawling on mats, and occasionally defending him/herself against combative patient assigned to the incumbent. The work involves moderate risks or discomforts requiring normal safety precautions typical of a hospital setting. Employees will be required to follow universal infection control precautions that may include having to "gown and glove" when providing treatment to patients. Sitting at meetings, desks or computer terminals for documentation purposes is also required. Operation and driving of a motor vehicle is also required. The incumbent of the position will meet and maintain physical and drug test program requirements for the position as required. 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. ["Major Duties and Responsibilities\nIn addition to observance of Federal national and local regulatory, policy, and accreditation requirements governing VA Medical Center, this position encompasses the following examples of responsibilities: Clinical Duties: Services provided by the Physical Therapy Assistant shall include, but are not limited to, the following, and all Physical Therapy Assistant must provide the following: Patient Care: The incumbent is expected to provide patient care that is compassionate, appropriate, and effective for the promotion of health, prevention of illness, treatment of disease, and care at the end of life. While following the plan of care outlined by the evaluating Physical Therapist. Medical/Clinical Knowledge: The incumbent is expected to demonstrate knowledge of established and evolving evidenced based practices, and the application of their knowledge to patient care and the education of others. The incumbent will function within their approved scope of practice as defined by APTA, State Licensing Board for their License. The incumbent must maintain a State Physical Therapy Assistant license. Additionally, the PM&R clinician will complete annually, all the required competencies for their position. Interpersonal & Communication Skills: The incumbent is expected to demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that enable them to establish and maintain professional relationships with patients, families, and other members of the health care team. Professionalism: The incumbent is expected to demonstrate behaviors that reflect a commitment to continuous professional development, ethical practice, and understanding and sensitivity to diversity, and a responsible attitude toward their patients and their profession. Systems-Based Practice: The incumbent is expected to demonstrate both an understanding of the contexts and systems in which health care is provided, and the ability to apply this knowledge to improve optimizing health care, to the extent that is allowed by their scope of practice. Telehealth - the incumbent is expected to provide telehealth services to appropriate patients, through means of clinical video telehealth (CVT), VA video connect (VVC) and other telehealth means approved bv VA. Contact by telephone is also required. Maintain trainings and attend required meetings: The incumbent shall maintain up to date VHA and professional trainings. Required meetings must be attended, or representative will attend if patient care emergency arises. Additionally, attends patient family meetings, committee meetings, and interdisciplinary meetings as assigned/ directed and that is allowed within their scope of practice to participate, If outside their scope of practice then they will only report what the Physical Therapist requested to be reported in the meetings. The incumbent is not allowed to evaluate, reassess, make admission or discharge planning suggestions/evaluations, based on their scope of practice. That is only under the scope of practice of the Physical Therapist. Administration: The incumbent will collaborate directly with other Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation staff as indicated. The incumbent will work under the license of an Physical Therapist and follow their plan of care. Travel: Up to 25% travel is expected with all PM&R clinical positions, and possibly more travel required, if defined as more travel required, in the job announcement. Travel is utilized to help provide cross coverage between the different locations, Altoona and the CBOCs. In addition to providing virtual care. Work Schedule: 0800-1630 Monday through Friday\nCompressed/Flexible: Not available.\nTelework: Not available.\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: PTA\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]