Physical Therapist Assistant

JOB SUMMARY: Vacancy Identification Number (VIN): 734403 (Include # on all documents) To fulfill President Lincolns promise – "To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan" – by serving and honoring the men and women who are Americas Veterans.  How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate care to Veterans?Come work in the entertainment capital of the world -- Las Vegas, Nevada!  Whether it be the iconic strip; the exciting nightlife; the world renowned restaurants; or any of the outdoor adventures, Las Vegas has it. With over three-hundred days of fabulous weather, there is never a reason or season to stay home!  As a Physical Therapist Assistant for the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System, you will be serving our nations heroes in our soon to open, state-of-the art medical facility. VHA provides patient centered care, delivered by engaged, collaborative teams in an integrated environment that supports learning and continuous improvement. The Veterans experience and health outcomes are improved with an emphasis on prevention through healing relationships in an optimal healing environment. We are seeking new team members interested in working in this environment.  We are looking for team members that possess high energy, a strong work ethic, integrity, who are kind and empathetic, have a sense of humor, and who enjoy working for a collaborative, team-oriented system.  The team member must be willing to build customer confidence by professional dress and demeanor.We invite you to apply to become part of a team of professionals engaged in promoting positive organizational change to improve business outcomes and create a positive healthcare experience for patients, families, and caregivers.As a VA professional, your opportunities are endless. With many openings in the multiple functions of VA, you will have a wide range of opportunities at your fingertips. Not only is it the largest, most technologically advanced integrated health care system in the nation, but we also provide many other services to Veterans through the Benefits Administration and National Cemeteries. VA professionals feel good about their careers and their ability to balance work and home life. VA offers generous paid time off and a variety of predictable and flexible scheduling opportunities.  For more information on the Department of Veterans Affairs, go to http://www.vacareers.va.gov/ . 

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• U. S. Citizenship
• Must pass pre-employment medical examination
• English Language Proficiency required
• Designated and-or Random Drug Testing required
• Background and-or Security Investigation required

DUTIES:Back to top As a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) for the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System, you will provide treatment that promotes the prevention, remediation, and rehabilitation of acute and chronic physical and psychosocial dysfunction.  The PTA administers and monitors therapeutic interventions based on goals formulated by a Physical Therapist, but must be able to carry out a general treatment plan without direct involvement of a Physical Therapist.  He/she may rotate on a regular basis through inpatient and outpatient settings.  He/she may also work off-hour shifts, week-ends, and holidays as priorities demonstrate a need.  Receives and interpret requests or instructions for procedures from the physical therapists or physician.  Plans and implements specialized treatment and applies physical therapy procedures to patients under the general supervision of a physical therapist.  Employee may carry out or oversee the work of lower graded assistants to accommodate requests.  Completes a preliminary review/examination of patient data (including medical history), complies and organizes pertinent information, and develops/presents patient profiles to be used in assessing patients status.  Assists with or 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 a physical therapist or physician.  Administers therapy to patients incorporating accepted modalities and treatment standards per the American Physical Therapy Association (PTA).  QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:Back to top BASIC REQUIREMENTS:Citizenship:   Citizen of the United States.Education:   Successful completion of an associates 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).    GRADE REQUIREMENTS:Definitions   (1)   Creditable Experience.  To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics (KSAs), also referred to as core competencies, associated with the scope of PTA practice.      (2)   Part-time Experience.   Part-time experience as a PTA is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek.   For example, a PTA would receive 1 week of full-time credit for each 2 weeks of half-time work.GS-06Experience:    In addition to the basic requirements above, applicants must demonstrate experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled.   To be creditable, specialized experience for GS-06 must have been equivalent to at least one year at the next lower grade (GS-05).   In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the professional Knowledge, Skills and Abilities found below (applicants are not required to provide a response to the KSAs at this time, however, if selected they may be asked to provide responses prior to being reviewed by a Professional Standards Board).

Knowledge of evidence based physical therapy practice.  

Knowledge of physical therapy data collection and ongoing assessment techniques in order to perform specified aspects of patient evaluation and interventions.  

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.  

GS-07Experience:    In addition to the basic requirements above, applicants must demonstrate experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled.   To be creditable, specialized experience for GS-07 must have been equivalent to at least one year at the next lower grade (GS-06).   In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the professional Knowledge, Skills and Abilities found below (applicants are not required to provide a response to the KSAs at this time, however, if selected they may be asked to provide responses prior to being reviewed by a Professional Standards Board).1.  Ability to organize data, format that data into a presentaion, 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.  YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.References:   VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G23, Physical Therapist Assistant, QUALIFICATION STANDARD, dated March 17 2006,  and OPM Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Professional and Scientific Positions at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/IORs/GS0100/0185.htm
APPLICANTS PLEASE NOTE: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Applicants must, therefore, only report attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html.  All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly. *** 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. *** Veterans Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference on their application or résumé. Applicants claiming preference based on service-connected disability, or based on being the spouse or mother of a disabled or deceased Veteran, must complete an SF 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference. For more information on Veterans Preference, please visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/veterans.aspx. HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED: Your application, résumé and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.   You may also be evaluated based upon the question responses you provide during a structured interview. In responding to structured interview questions you should be sure to cite specific examples of experience, explain exactly what you did, and the outcome.
Country: USA, State: Nevada, City: Las Vegas, Company: Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration.