Physical Therapy Assistant (Geriatrics)

Physical Therapy Assistant (Geriatrics)

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Location(s): Columbia, South Carolina

Salary Range: $61722 - $80242 Per Year

Job Summary: This position is located in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services. The incumbent will administer physical therapy programs to adult and geriatric patients referred from all areas of the medical center, but will spend at least 25% of his/her time working in the specialty area of Geriatrics.

Major Duties:

• VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY Duties include but not limited to:: Performs in-depth chart reviews including medical history, contraindications or treatment Obtains appropriate subjective history and demonstrates ability to interpret information gained through subjective history Interprets and applies clinical practice guidelines Mentors other staff in advanced clinical guidelines and best practices Serves as a subject matter expert for healthcare providers in specialty practice areas regarding physical therapy care care Treats patients through exercise, massage, modalities, gait, and balance training and other therapeutic interventions Recommends changes in treatment based on changes in both physical and mental, and medical status of the patient. PTAs instruct, motivate and assist patients to learn and improve functional activities Implements physical therapy treatment program for assigned patients who may range in age from young adult through older adult Accurately assesses changes in physical, mental and/or medical status of the patients Provides physical therapy services as specified in the physical therapy plan of care Provides modalities, as specified in the physical therapy plan of care With guidance from supervising physical therapist, develops appropriate home program for patient, as needed, prior to discharge Delegates procedures to appropriate and qualified personnel as the situation indicates, i.e., Rehab Techs, students, etc., or other people with the appropriate expertise indicated Performs other duties as assigned Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 61621F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Qualifications: 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. 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. English Language Proficiency: PTA candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).] Education: 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 (Transcript Required) 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. (Documentation Required) OR, Graduate of military physical therapy assistant programs that meet the educational requirement and have successfully passed the NPTE for PTAs. (Documentation/Transcripts Required) May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: GS-09 Physical Therapy Assistant (1) Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate one of the following: 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 (Documentation Required) OR Advanced Practice Proficiency (APP) in the specialty area recognized by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) (Documentation Required) OR An additional academic degree related to the health care mission. (Transcript Required) (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: Experience in Geriatrics Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-09. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

How to Apply: 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 05/07/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12947020. 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. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

Application Deadline: 2026-05-07