Therapy Assistant

July 10, 2023
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Job Description

Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration

Northport, New York, New York, The incumbent is a Therapy Assistant in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service and may be assigned to any of the clinical areas of Cardiac Rehabilitation, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Kinesiology. The incumbent will work with the treatment team to plan and carry out the graduated therapy treatment plans and procedures, making minor modifications or alterations as necessary. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/06/2023. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-06 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: experience that demonstrates knowledge of treatment principles and techniques in rehabilitation therapy and their impact on patients; plan and carry out rehabilitation therapy treatment as directed by the Therapist or Physiologist; recognize and observe patient reactions; interview patient’s to gather information, communicate with providers, experience with equipment, materials and supplies for treatment therapy. . OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have six months of graduate education related to the position being filled. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education at the graduate level. Individual Occupational Requirements: Specialized Experience (for positions at GS-4 and above): Examples of qualifying specialized experience include work as an assistant to one of the specialized therapies such as occupational, physical, manual arts, corrective, or educational therapy; or experience gained as an assistant or aid in patient care, social work, or psychology where the duties involved actual participation in physical medicine and activities of a hospital or clinic. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Analytical Thinking Planning and Evaluating Self Management Technical Competence Veteran and Customer Focus 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements: Work includes regular recurring physical exertion in standing, bending, kneeling, reaching, gripping, and walking. Moderate to heavy lifting is required to assist patient and operate equipment.

Sitting is required in meetings and for conducting administrative work. Above average agility may be desirable in defending oneself (or others) against physical attack/abuse. Work may require physical health, normal use of arms and legs, and good visual and auditory acuity. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management’s website at https://www. opm. gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. [“Duties include, but are not limited to: The Therapy Assistant will work with the Therapist, Licensed Assistant or Physiologist in carrying out the following: Physical Exercise for the treatment and rehabilitation of patients to develop strength, dexterity and coordination in limbs and muscles. Instructing patients in muscle re-education and ambulation, and in the use of crutches and other prosthetic or orthotic devices. The use of physical agents (heat, cold, water, light) and therapeutic exercises to treat disabilities, injury or disease. Creative or vocational treatment activities such as ceramics, art, etc.

, and activities of daily living which involve self care. Exploring the rehabilitation potential of patients and/or maintaining or improving skills or learning new skills. Teaching, programmed instruction, visual aids, and other instructional methods and equipment in treatment of patients. The incumbent works with the therapists or physiologist in administering the treatment plan. The Therapist or Physiologist along with input from the incumbent determines procedures and techniques to be used and/or modifies existing methods. The incumbent explains the treatment activity and guides the patient in the techniques to be used; motivates and stimulates the patient’s interest and participation in the treatment activity. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not available. Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Therapy Assistant/PD02966A”]

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