SUMMARY

The Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) position is located in the Physical Therapy Section of the PM&R in North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System. The position is responsible for direct patient care within PM&R of Veterans with a variety of orthopedic, neurological, and systemic impairments. The PTA works under the supervision of a Physical Therapist (PT) to provide services that promotes the prevention, remediation, and rehabilitation of acute and chronic physical dysfunction.

QUALIFICATIONS

Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).
English Language Proficiency. Be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
Education-Transcripts Submitted. Individuals must meet at least one of the 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-Submit if Applicable . 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.

EDUCATION

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

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.

IF YOU ARE RELYING ON YOUR EDUCATION TO MEET QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

DUTIES

Administers Patient Treatment:

• Positions or repositions patients using proper transfer devices (example transfer belt, sliding board) and procures assistance when necessary
• Adjusts and issues assistive devices for ambulation and instructs patients in their use.
• Instructs, motivates, and assists patients to learn and improve functional activities (example ambulation, transfers, and bed mobility).
• Instructs, motivates, and assists patients to improve pulmonary function.
• Instructs patient in principles of cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary endurance.
• Instructs patients in proper gait patterns.
• Consistently displays appropriate respect, recognition and understanding of the patient in terms of their age/level and/or cultural background.
• The PTA is sensitive to any special needs that may come from age or culturally related factors.
• Modifies treatment approaches, within the scope of the established plan, to reflect patients’ changing needs only with collaboration with evaluating PT.

Implements and coordinates intervention plan, under the supervision of an PT, in the following sensorimotor areas:

• Range of motion
• Muscles strength
• Gross motor coordination.
• Endurance
• Postural balance.
• Tactile awareness
• Energy Conservation
• Joint protect
• Positioning
• Evaluating vital signs
• Fitness and Lifestyle

Coordinates/Interfaces with Others:

• Coordinates intervention plans with other members of the treatment team.
• Will communicate effectively with peers, health professional and volunteers.
• Interacts effectively with patients, families and/or significant others.
• Maintains adaptability (will adapt to change in a professional manner).Cooperates well with other staff, physicians.
• Facilitates and maintains a positive working relationship and facilitates a cooperative work environment.
• Displays honesty and mutual respect when communicating with peers and other services
• Facilitates solutions on problems that may compromise patient care by using appropriate chain of command.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50’s (current/former Federal employees), etc.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (VA)
• 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.
• Proof of Marriage Status
• Resume
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcrip

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 11/26/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12790833.

• To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
• Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package