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

The Duties and Responsibilities of the Physical Therapy Assistant/Health Coach includes but is not limited to the following:

• The incumbent will provide cross coverage of clinical and administrative function and other duties as assigned per direction of Supervisor.
• The incumbent is the PT A specialist responsible for the implementation of Whole Health System of care for patients receiving care.
• The incumbent independently runs programs within Whole Health Service and in specialty areas: Weight Management, movement classes-including Yoga and Tai Chi and serves as a consultant for other PTAs, clinicians, nursing, and other healthcare professionals within assigned specialty area.
• The incumbent is experienced with expertise in a variety of areas and is well founded in anatomy, physiology and the theoretical principles of physical therapy.
• The incumbent documents progress toward goal attainment according to approved formats and communicates directly with other providers in assigned program specialty area, nursing staff, physicians, and family members.
• The incumbent is expected to observe and document the patient's reaction to treatment and changes in physical and/or mental status.
• The incumbent attends Whole Health in service training and participates in total quality management initiatives and quality assurance data collection as required by the Physical Therapist Supervisor.
• The PTA Specialist provides education and brief training to clinical staff on Whole Health System of Care and builds infrastructure for referrals, dissemination of information and development of Whole Health services in assigned duty station or department.
• The incumbent also prepares and submits recurring and special statistical reports as required and prepares requests for supplies, equipment and repairs for signature by the appropriate service official.
• This position is responsible for the delivery of Whole Health Coaching and skill development of the local Medical Center's Whole Health System of Care including provision of care through coaching and promotion and education regarding Whole Health Coaching to Veterans and staff
• The position is integral to supporting Whole Health Coaches and Veterans in navigating the Whole Health Journey, specifically through the Pathway, wellbeing, and Whole Health clinical care elements of the Whole Health System, as well as assisting in the collection of whole health qualitative data from Veterans and creation of reports analyzing effectiveness of health coaching.
• The incumbent provides care to Veterans seeking self-directed, lasting changes aligned with their values utilizing motivational interviewing and health coaching techniques.
• They provide interventions that promote health and wellness and enhance well-being, improve health-related outcomes, reduce likelihood of inpatient admission, and improve quality of life.
• Performs other duties, as assigned.

Work Schedule: M-F 0800 - 4:30pm
Telework: This is only approved for Ad-hoc Telework
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #:000000

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a trial period.
• 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 dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

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: For this position you must meet at least one of the educational 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.

Grade Determinations: GS-09: In addition to meeting the basic requirements for appointment, candidate must have at least one (1) year of physical therapy assistant experience comparable to the GS-08 grade level in Federal Service. Creditable experience includes but not limited to: Physical Therapy Assistants (PTAs) receive ongoing guidance from more experienced staff members and receive general direction by the treating Physical Therapist (PT). PTAs draw upon a broad base of practical and experiential knowledge in order to assist the PT in reaching pre-determined patient goals. PTAs work independently but still under the general direction of PTs. They observe patients' ability to perform specified tasks in order to provide ongoing assessment of information on patients' physical and functional status. PTAs work with the physical therapy staff to assess progress, modify treatment and set discharge plan. They provide clinical direction for PTA students.

For the GS-9 Grade Level:
(1) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade. 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.

(3) Assignment. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty) and variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. PTAs at this level apply advanced practice skills to treat complex patients. PTAs possess an advanced level of clinical competence and serve as a SME in specialty practice areas. They serve as a subject matter expert in a rehabilitation program such as, but not limited to, geriatrics, amputee, brain injury, cardiac rehabilitation, orthopedics, neurological, safe patient handing, or any other functional debilitative conditions. They possess advanced practice skills and experience with a wide range of patient complexity. They apply advanced methodologies to a vast array of functional impairments and patients. They independently recommend and apply evidence-based treatment approaches within the plan of care.

Preferred Experience: Prior experience working as a Whole Health Coach

Reference: VA Handbook 5005/139, Part II, Appendix G23. Physical Therapy Assistant Qualification Standard GS-0636.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9

Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting 50 pounds and over. Use of fingers, both hands required, reaching above shoulder, walking (8 hours), Standing (8 Hours) Both legs required (1 prosthetic), Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in other. Ability to distinguish shades of colors, Hearing (Aid permitted) and mental and emotional stability.

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.