Physical Therapy Assistant

Duties

• Serves as Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) for a designated work area within the Medical Treatment Facility (MTF) and associated branch clinics - inpatient and outpatient environments
• Performs a wide range of complex PTA duties requiring an advanced practical knowledge of physical therapy, evidence-based practice and data collection, as directed, to perform specific aspects of evaluations and interventions.
• Ensure treatment plan is designed to maximize results in promotion of healing and load tolerance while ultimately improving the patient's functional independence.
• Provides instruction to patients, family members and/or other health workers to perform selected treatment procedures and functional training activities. In the clinic environment, is responsible for the safety and well-being of patients
• Shares technical expertise with other therapy assistants, physical therapy students and other interdisciplinary team members.
• Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to make recommendations for the patient's rehabilitation and reintegration needs
• Masters' new techniques and modality proficiency by studying current literature and conducting required research as required.
• Research new therapy equipment and make recommendations for purchase
• Tracks procedure's effects on patients, long-and short-term effects of different types of therapy, and appropriateness of a specific therapy, noting overall trends in efficacy, reporting problems to supervisor.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• This position is required to be screened for and obtain necessary immunizations/vaccinations (hepatitis, influenza, etc.), unless exempted by a licensed physician.
• This position is required to work uncommon tours of duty hours such as, on-call, working either fixed or rotating shifts, evenings, weekends and/or holidays.
• This position is designated "Mission Essential".
• This position is subject to TDY or business travel requirements to various locations. This may require travel via privately owned vehicles, commercial transport platforms, and/or military aircraft, ships, and vehicles.
• This position requires a pre-employment physical annually and thereafter.
• This position is designated Tier 3, Non-Critical Sensitive, Moderate Risk and requires the incumbent to obtain and maintain a Secret Security Clearance Level as a condition of employment.
• Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs.
• This position requires Basic Life Support training certification from, or in accordance with, the American Heart Association and American Red Cross.
• This position is subject to a pre-employment screening, and random testing thereafter, to include testing based on reasonable suspicion and testing due to direct involvement with an on-duty accident.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the ?education and/or experience? requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is .

Basic Requirement for a Physical Therapy Assistant:

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes implementing physical therapy treatment plans; and instructing on physical therapy programs or providing status reports. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-06).

OR

Education: One full year of graduate level education in a field directly related to the work of the position, such as Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Kinesiotherapy, Kinesiology, Sports Medicine, or Exercise Science.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) by 18. Add the two percentages.

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: .

Additional information

• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
• This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
• Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
• Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
• Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
• If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the information sheet.
• Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.
• Advanced in-hire rate MAY be authorized for highly qualified candidates.
• Recruitment or relocation incentives MAY be authorized for highly qualified candidates.
• Physical Therapy Assistant license or certification preferred