Physical Therapy Assistant

Summary About the Position: This position is located at Evans Army Community Hospital, Directorate of Surgery, Physical Therapy Services at Fort Carson, Colorado. This is a Direct Hire Solicitation Physical Therapy Assistant License and/or Certification is highly desired but not required. Learn more about this agency Duties Perform a wide range of complex PTA duties requiring an advanced practical knowledge of physical therapy, evidence-based medicine and data collection. Under the direction of the PT, plan, coordinate, and administer diverse physical therapy programs. Provide interpretation of PT’s findings to initiate care. Share technical expertise with other therapy assistants, physical therapy students and other interdisciplinary team members. Provide updated status in patient progress reports, as well as other administrative reports. Fit and instruct patients in use of assistive devices to include crutches and canes. Perform manual therapy; joint mobilizations (shoulder, hip, ankle) and/or instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization. Fit and instruct patients in use of shoulder slings and knee braces Ensure treatment plan is designed to maximize results in promotion of healing while ultimately improving the patients functional independence. Requirements Conditions of employment Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation. A Personnel Security Investigation is required. Employees assigned to a medical treatment facility are required to be screened for applicable immunizations or pre-existing immunity based on occupational risk, regardless of job series. Selectees will be required to sign a statement (Condition of Employment) consenting to seasonal influenza vaccinations or must provide a recognized exemption. This position is a Testing Designated Position subject to pre-employment screening and random drug testing. Selectees will be required to consent to participate in random drug urinalysis testing. Immunization screening is required. Hepatitis B immunization is required for all positions with direct patient contact. Applicants may be required to show proof of other immunizations depending on the type of position. Must be able to obtain and maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the American Red Cross. Advanced certification (e.g., ALS) does not supersede BLS. One-year probationary period may be required. Position is designated as Inclement Weather Essential. The incumbent must make every attempt to report for work on time and/or remain on duty during severe weather conditions. Position is designated as Mission Essential. The incumbent will be required to report to work during times of contingency operations, natural disasters, extreme weather or other emergency situations. Pre-employment physical is required. Qualifications 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 equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service which includes providing physical therapy care to post-operative patients across a wide range of orthopedic procedures, such as total joint replacements, ACL reconstruction, meniscal repair, Bankart repair, SLAP repair, and hip labral repair, etc., instructing patients in prescribed physical therapy programs tailored to their surgical procedure and stage of recovery, and observing and documenting treatment responses to identify changes in patients status. OR Education: A half year (i.e., 9 semester hours) of graduate level education in a field directly related to the work of the position, such as [insert applicable field(s) of study]. 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. Physical Therapy Assistant License and/or Certification is highly desired but not required. Education FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional information Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration. You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship. This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest. Direct Deposit of Pay is required. Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees. Recruitment or relocation incentives MAY be authorized for highly qualified candidates. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement. If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet. Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest. Position is designated as Mission Essential. The incumbent will be required to report to work during times of contingency operations, natural disasters, extreme weather or other emergency situations. Position is designated as Inclement Weather Essential. The incumbent must make every attempt to report for work on time and/or remain on duty during severe weather conditions. A recruitment or relocation incentive may be authorized. Salary negotiation may be available for those candidates who are new to Federal service. Student Loan repayment may be authorized. Non-Federal work experience may be creditable for leave purposes. Physical Therapy Assistant License and/or Certification is highly desired but not required. Expand Hide  additional information Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits Review our benefits