Physical Therapy Assistant
a. Schedules patients for physical therapy treatment based upon the treatment plan developed by the assessing physical therapist and signed by the referring provider. b. Under the general supervision of a physical therapist, independently implements clinical treatment to a diverse population of patients referred to physical therapy for assessment and treatment. Patient treatment may include the following interventions:
Assistive device adjustment and training, application of hot/cold packs, ultrasound, phonophoresis, ultrasound/stimulation combination, electrical stimulation, iontophoresis, TENS, FES, whirlpool, isokinetic exercise equipment, continuous passive motion, mechanical cervical traction, home cervical traction, mechanical lumbar traction, therapeutic exercise equipment, total gym, treadmill, stairmaster, exercise bicycle, restorator, rebounder, tilt table, wound care, joint mobilization, neuromuscular re-education and soft tissue techniques. c. Demonstrates the ability to perform a chart review; obtain a subjective history and interpret the information gained through the subjective history and to communicate verbally and in writing with the patient, the physical therapist and other health care providers as necessary. d. Demonstrates the ability to instruct patients with regard to gait training, assistive device use and progression, therapeutic exercise, balance/vestibular exercise, body mechanics, posture, cardiac/pulmonary rehabilitation principles, transfers/bed mobility, prosthetic and orthotic use. e. Demonstrates the ability to evaluate the patients' response to treatment including the use of a pulse oximeter, sphygmomanometer and heart rate monitor. f. Demonstrates knowledge of basic biological and medical science to assess patient data; make a preliminary determination of their needs, develop treatment goals and objectives and implement patient treatment plans. g. Demonstrates knowledge of physical therapy data collection and ongoing assessment techniques in order to perform specified aspects of patient treatment and assessment. h. Confers with the physical therapist regarding patient progress and goal attainment, in addition to discussing the need to alter short and long term goals based upon patient progression and response to treatment. i. Demonstrates the ability to organize patient and other related data, format the data into a presentation and present the data at patient care meetings or staff inservices. j. Demonstrates/maintains a thorough knowledge of contemporary, evidence-based physical therapy practice. This knowledge base is maintained through participation in continuing education offerings, inservice training and literature review and discussion. k. The incumbent demonstrate the ability to implement all identified components of the patient treatment plan, which is established by the evaluation physical therapist and signed by the referring provider. The incumbent demonstrates competency in all treatment interventions implemented. Work Schedule:
Monday to Friday; 8:
00am - 4:
30pm Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required Basic Requirements:
Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) Education. Successful completion of an associate's 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 (CAPTE). English Language Proficiency. PTAs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Grade Determinations:
Experience. In addition to the basic requirements, 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
1. Ability to organize data, format that data into a presentation, and present information pertinent to patient care in formal or informal settings. Examples may include providing in-service training to staff or formal presentations to the treatment team. 2. Knowledge of contemporary physical therapy practice. This may be demonstrated through continuing education courses, in-service training, or journal article reviews. 3. Ability to independently implement selected components of interventions identified in the plan of care established by the physical therapist. Assignment. Employees at this grade level serve as staff PTAs. This is the full performance level for the PTA. Assignments include:
service as an active team member in a comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation program such as geriatrics, amputee, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, cardiac rehabilitation, aquatics, orthopedics, or wound care, etc.; prepare, provide, and supervise clinical training experiences for PTA students; and independently provide patient education to patients and their caregivers. References:
VA Handbook 5005/15 Part II Appendix G23. Physical Therapy Assistant Qualification Standard The full performance level of this vacancy is 7. Physical Requirements:
See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
Assistive device adjustment and training, application of hot/cold packs, ultrasound, phonophoresis, ultrasound/stimulation combination, electrical stimulation, iontophoresis, TENS, FES, whirlpool, isokinetic exercise equipment, continuous passive motion, mechanical cervical traction, home cervical traction, mechanical lumbar traction, therapeutic exercise equipment, total gym, treadmill, stairmaster, exercise bicycle, restorator, rebounder, tilt table, wound care, joint mobilization, neuromuscular re-education and soft tissue techniques. c. Demonstrates the ability to perform a chart review; obtain a subjective history and interpret the information gained through the subjective history and to communicate verbally and in writing with the patient, the physical therapist and other health care providers as necessary. d. Demonstrates the ability to instruct patients with regard to gait training, assistive device use and progression, therapeutic exercise, balance/vestibular exercise, body mechanics, posture, cardiac/pulmonary rehabilitation principles, transfers/bed mobility, prosthetic and orthotic use. e. Demonstrates the ability to evaluate the patients' response to treatment including the use of a pulse oximeter, sphygmomanometer and heart rate monitor. f. Demonstrates knowledge of basic biological and medical science to assess patient data; make a preliminary determination of their needs, develop treatment goals and objectives and implement patient treatment plans. g. Demonstrates knowledge of physical therapy data collection and ongoing assessment techniques in order to perform specified aspects of patient treatment and assessment. h. Confers with the physical therapist regarding patient progress and goal attainment, in addition to discussing the need to alter short and long term goals based upon patient progression and response to treatment. i. Demonstrates the ability to organize patient and other related data, format the data into a presentation and present the data at patient care meetings or staff inservices. j. Demonstrates/maintains a thorough knowledge of contemporary, evidence-based physical therapy practice. This knowledge base is maintained through participation in continuing education offerings, inservice training and literature review and discussion. k. The incumbent demonstrate the ability to implement all identified components of the patient treatment plan, which is established by the evaluation physical therapist and signed by the referring provider. The incumbent demonstrates competency in all treatment interventions implemented. Work Schedule:
Monday to Friday; 8:
00am - 4:
30pm Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required Basic Requirements:
Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) Education. Successful completion of an associate's 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 (CAPTE). English Language Proficiency. PTAs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Grade Determinations:
Experience. In addition to the basic requirements, 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
1. Ability to organize data, format that data into a presentation, and present information pertinent to patient care in formal or informal settings. Examples may include providing in-service training to staff or formal presentations to the treatment team. 2. Knowledge of contemporary physical therapy practice. This may be demonstrated through continuing education courses, in-service training, or journal article reviews. 3. Ability to independently implement selected components of interventions identified in the plan of care established by the physical therapist. Assignment. Employees at this grade level serve as staff PTAs. This is the full performance level for the PTA. Assignments include:
service as an active team member in a comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation program such as geriatrics, amputee, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, cardiac rehabilitation, aquatics, orthopedics, or wound care, etc.; prepare, provide, and supervise clinical training experiences for PTA students; and independently provide patient education to patients and their caregivers. References:
VA Handbook 5005/15 Part II Appendix G23. Physical Therapy Assistant Qualification Standard The full performance level of this vacancy is 7. Physical Requirements:
See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
- Department:
0636 Rehabilitation Therapy Assistant - Salary Range:
$44,836 to $58,283 per year
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
|
|
 | |
