About the Position: This is an open continuous announcement. Multiple vacancies exist and may be filled from this announcement at any of the locations listed. We accept applications on an ongoing basis; qualified applicants will be considered as vacancies become available. This is a Direct Hire Solicitation.
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 in this document. Basic Requirement for a Physical Therapy Assistant: Specialized experience: One year of specialized experience which includes implementing physical therapy treatment plans, instructing physical therapy programs or providing status reports related to patient care. 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 Experience and Education: 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.
Perform a wide range of complex PTA duties requiring an advanced practical knowledge of physical therapy, evidence-based medicine and data collection to perform specific aspects of evaluations and interventions.
Provide interpretation of PT’s findings to initiate care, considering patients’ neurological, surgical, sensory, respiratory, cardiac status, gait ability, posture, age, and general health.
Provide instruction to patients, family members and/or other health workers to perform selected treatment procedures and functional training activities.
Ensure treatment plan is designed to maximize results in promotion of healing and pain relief while ultimately improving the patient’s functional independence.
Perform non-technical maintenance of equipment to prevent malfunctions.