Physical Therapy Assistant GS-0636-07 - Defense Health Agency Civilian Corps, Falls Church, VA

This position is in the Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center,  Fort Eisenhower, Georgia.

Augusta is famous for its major attraction, The Masters Golf Tournament. Ft Eisenhower has a moderate year-round climate and offers proximity to metropolitan areas, beaches along the Atlantic Ocean and the Appalachian Mountains. 

The Augusta area is a growing community with an excellent quality of life. A wide variety of cultural and outdoor recreational activities are readily available locally, and many more are easily accessible from the coast to the mountains. Augusta has a vibrant professional medical environment, including the Medical College of Georgia and other referral medical centers. The cost of living is quite reasonable, with quality homes at good prices.

Links: https://eisenhower.tricare.mil/    

          https://www.augustaga.gov/

As a Physical Therapy Assistant you will:

Serves as Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) for a designated work area within the Medical Treatment Facility (MTF). 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. The PTA works under the general supervision of the Physical Therapist (PT). The incumbent independently performs day-to-day duties with the supervisor providing general guidelines regarding the nature of therapeutic activities and the program in general. Under the direction of the PT, plans, coordinates, and administers diverse physical therapy programs for wounded, ill and injured patients, as well as other beneficiaries, with a wide range of physical and behavioral health diagnoses and disabilities. Provides interpretation of PT’s findings to initiate care, considering patients’ neurological, surgical, sensory, respiratory, cardiac status, gait ability, posture, age, and general health. In consultation with attending PT, determines the length of patient treatment period. Makes recommendations and utilizes the various modalities of physical therapy, as prescribed, to include diathermy, hydrotherapy, massage, electrotherapy, ultrasound, and therapeutic exercise. Designs a patient progressive treatment plan, utilized, and designed to restore and maintain range of motion, strength, endurance, coordination, relaxation as well as promote healing, pain relief and improvement of functional independence. 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 direction and supervision of the PT. The treatment plan is designed to restore and maintain maximum range of motion, strength, endurance, coordination, and relaxation in accordance with PT evaluation and treatment plan. Ensures treatment plan is designed to maximize results in promotion of healing and pain relief while ultimately improving the patient’s functional independence. Instructs and reviews all home program precautions and contraindications with patients and family members on use and application of physical modalities for home environment. Provides instruction to patients, family members and/or other health workers to perform selected treatment procedures and functional training activities. In the clinic environment, exercises responsibility for the comfort and well-being of patients. Follows and executes treatment plans, and objectives. Judges whether the treatment is causing an adverse effect on other conditions not currently under treatment. 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.

 Shares technical expertise with other therapy assistants, physical therapy students and other interdisciplinary team members. Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to make recommendations for the patient’s rehabilitation and reintegration needs. Participates in instructional programs, as directed by the PT, to include teaching other personnel in sound, proper methods of physical therapy treatment. Assists in planning and coordinating in-service training for professional and non-professional personnel. Documents information related to all patient’s care in accordance with guidelines from the American Physical Therapy Association, The Joint Commission, current protocols and as directed by the supervisor. Completes required data collection for workload management, analysis, research studies and prepares statistical reports as required. Participates in peer reviews (quality assurance). Assists in maintenance of supply levels and determination of supply needs. Attends pertinent meetings as requested by the supervisory therapist and/or clinic director. Completes administrative duties as required, including but not limited to checking in patients, scheduling, and template management. Coordinates and prioritizes own time in relation to overlapping demands of administrative duties and patient treatment. Instructs students and designs specific training programs for physical therapy assistant interns as required.

 Masters new techniques and modality proficiency by studying current literature and conducting required research. Research new therapy equipment and makes recommendations for purchase. Evaluates and recommends equipment changes in bracing, use of crutches, canes, and wheelchair accessories. Attends lectures, meetings and conferences providing subject matter expertise recommendations when required. Attends staff meetings and in-service training programs. Contributes to marketing physical therapy services throughout the MTF. Maintains treatment areas, administrative area, and personal spaces in a safe, orderly manner. Performs non-technical maintenance of equipment to prevent malfunctions. Actively assists the supervisor in making decisions relative to administrative responsibilities in the areas of supply, equipment, and personnel. Maintains continuing education and training requirements.

US citizenship required

Must possess a current, active, valid and unrestricted license as a Physical Therapy Assistant in a state, the District of Columbia, or a territory of the United States.