PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSISTANT

Performs 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.

Under the direction of the PT, plans, coordinates, and administers diverse physical therapy for wounded, ill and injured patients, as well as other beneficiaries, with a wide range of physical and behavioral health diagnoses and disabilities.

Provides updated status in patient progress reports, as well as other administrative reports.

Initiates, implements, plans, and recommends progressive treatment plan with consideration of patient’s neurological, surgical, sensory, respiratory, cardiac status, gait ability, posture, age and general health, under the supervision of the PT.

Provides instruction to patients, family members and/or other health workers to perform selected treatment procedures and functional training activities.

Tracks procedure’s effects on patients, long-and short-term effects of different types of therapy, and appropriateness of a specific therapy, noting overall trends in efficacy, reporting problems to supervisor.

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.

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes implementing physical therapy treatment plans; and instructing on physical therapy programs or providing status reports. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-05).

OR Education: One full year of graduate level education in a field directly related to the work of the position, such as Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Kinesiotherapy, Sports Medicine, Exercise Science, or Kinesiology OR Combination of Education and Experience: 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 9. Add the two percentages.

Licensure/Certification: A current, active, valid, and unrestricted license or certification as a Physical Therapy Assistant from a state, the District of Columbia, or a territory of the United States is required. (Note: You must attach a copy of your current, active, valid, and unrestricted license or certification.)