Lead Physical Therapy Assistant

Clarification from the agency

The position is open to current, permanent Ann Arbor VA employees and their affiliated Community Based Outpatient Centers. (CBOC) only.

VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY

Duties may include but are not limited to:

• Advanced knowledge of physical therapy data collection and assessment techniques across outpatient, acute care, subacute care settings.
• Functions as a clinical resource and consultant for PTA peers, helping guide treatment approaches and supporting decision-making.
• Providing department and medical center wide in-services and training.
• Leads and communicates work assignments, priorities, and scheduling information to PTA staff.
• Coordinates with staff PTs to select topics and organize PTA in-services or case studies to enhance team knowledge and skills.
• Presents at least one in-service each year to PT staff on a clinically relevant topic.
• Completes leadership and team-building TMS modules and leads PTA team-building activities.
• Supports department safety initiatives and ensures adherence to PT standards of practice, documentation expectations, and applicable performance measures including maintaining active role on the Safe Patient Handling Committee.
• Providing caregiver and home management training to patients and families having appropriately adapted complex/multi-step instructions to individual learning styles of those receiving the instructions.
• Receives and interprets requests or instructions for procedures from the Physical Therapist. Plans and implements 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.
• Lead PTA may carry out or oversee the work of a lower graded assistants to accommodate requests.
• Secures the confidence and cooperation of Veterans during treatment. Interacts with the patient and family to explain therapy procedures, discuss treatment plans and motivate Veterans and family members to comply with indicated regimens and post-discharge activities. Instructs, motivates, and assists patients to learn and improve functional activities.
• Independently develops therapeutic regimens for Physical Therapy patients based on the assigning Physical Therapist's patient evaluation and goals. Modifies the interventions based on the patient's response.
• 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.
• Screens, advises, and assists Veterans through the Physical Therapy regimen. Adapts and adjust Physical Therapy procedures as needed. Assists Physical Therapist's in the development of a comprehensive specialized treatment plan that includes long and short-term goals.
• Independently modifies or adapts specialized treatment approaches with prior approval of the Physical Therapist. Makes modifications within the scope of the established treatment plan to reflect the changing needs of the Veteran and his or her sociocultural context. Modifies intervention environment, tools, materials, and activities in response to each Veteran's response to treatment. Adapts the technical procedures and approaches to meet Veteran's needs.
• Completes all required computerized computer documentation.
• Maintains a clean and safe work environment to include non-technical maintenance of equipment, safety checks, cleaning, stocking, etc. Develops safe work habits to prevent injury to patients, co-workers and self. Reports to Chief of Physical Therapy and the need for equipment or items necessary for patient treatment. Follows infection control and all other safety procedures.
• Maintains a high level of competence through participation in continuing education programs.
• Assists with the clinical education of student Physical Therapist assistants, and the supervision and training of volunteers, work students and other healthcare practitioners.
• Attends all regularly scheduled department meetings.
• Performs other related duties, or responsibilities as assigned to support the overall mission of the Physical Therapy department or the Medical Center.
• Maintains daily clinic and equipment logs for survey readiness.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 94504-0
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

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.
• 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.
• 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).
• 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 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.

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: In addition to the basic requirements outlined in paragraph 3, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

Physical Therapy Assistant, GS-9

(1) Experience. One year of specialized 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.

Reference: VA Handbook 5005/139, Part II, Appendix G23 dated March 17, 2006. For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary. Some walking, standing, bending and carrying of light objects such as paper, books, etc., may be required. Computer work that requires long periods of continued data entry may cause eye strain or muscle strain from long periods of sitting. There may be occasional instances when the duties require pushing a patient in a wheelchair; there is no heavy lifting of patients nor transferring of patients.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

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; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

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.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility):

• Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee
• An SF-50 showing your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade
• Award 50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for the purpose of verifying time-in-grade.
• Examples of appropriate SF-50's include:
  • Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or
  • Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or
  • SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.

• Cover Letter
• License
• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
• OTA Certification
• Other (2)
• Professional Certification
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

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