Physical Therapy Assistant (Whole Health Coach)

<p>This position serves as the PTA specialist responsible for the implementation of Whole Health System of Care within the Western North Carolina VA Health Care System. The position will independently run programs in Whole Health Service and serves as a consultant for other PTAs, clinicians, nursing, and other healthcare professionals.</p><h3>Major Duties</h3><p>Major Duties and Responsibilities to include but are not limited to: The Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) works with individuals and groups throughout the facility in a client-centered process to facilitate and empower the client to develop and achieve self-determined goals related to health and wellness. Coaches support clients in mobilizing internal strengths and external resources and develops self-management strategies for making sustainable, healthy lifestyle behavior changes and more effectively managing chronic disease. Coordinates assessment and delivery of whole health coaching services in assigned duty station or department. Contacts eligible participants for enrollment and explains the health coaching process. Provides health coaching for Veterans in order to reduce or eliminate high-risk behaviors while increasing healthy ones. Conducts interventions for Veterans using one-on-one and group modalities in outpatient and inpatient settings. Conducts Whole Health Facilitated Groups; may participate in movement-based classes, MOVE, smoking cessation, diabetes management, hypertension clinics and other inpatient and outpatient classes as appropriate. Provides follow-up care through telephone clinics or secure messaging between face-to-face appointments. Actively guides Veterans in the exploration of core elements of personal health planning through individual and group-based programs. Encourages and assists Veterans with the adoption of habits that are conducive to a higher quality of life and in alignment with the Veteran's goals. Identify habits and behaviors that are harmful to quality of life and related to chronic illness. Utilizes motivational interviewing and health coaching techniques and processes, learned through health coach training, to assist members in developing a realistic plan to accomplish their goals. Fosters an environment of individual responsibility to maximize each Veteran's ability to adhere to a lifestyle management plan. Develops trust with Veterans and incorporates trust principles in day-to-day activities. Works collaboratively within a team setting to provide positive outcomes for participants, peers and overall operations. Maintains education and knowledge regarding lifestyle (habits and behaviors) and clinical outcomes, including behaviors that improve Veterans' health and wellbeing and those related to poor clinical outcomes. Provides eligible Veterans and family members with information regarding lifestyle management including weight management, nutrition, exercise/fitness, smoking cessation, stress management, diabetes, pain management, and other appropriate conditions that are in line with the personalized health plan developed between the health care team and the patient, and in coordination with programs providing specific services when applicable, e.g., MOVE! for weight management or smoking cessation classes, if Veteran is enrolled in these programs. Uses VISTA, CPRS, Microsoft office software, Intranet and Internet and other applicable software to track and support patient progress. Communicates proactively and effectively with Veterans, peers and supervisors. Ability to deal with unexpected situations; i.e., cognitively impaired patients are constantly at risk for accidents, patient's whose behavior is out of control, medically unstable patients. Must react quickly and appropriately to life threatening situations, transfer patients and deal effectively with patient's emotional needs which may vary throughout the course of their treatment. Maintains equipment and work areas. Performs non-technical maintenance of equipment to prevent malfunctions and maintains the treatment area in a safe, orderly fashion. Maintains adequate stock of supplies and materials. Recognizes potentially hazardous situations and takes corrective action. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 08:00am-4:30pm. Telework: Adhoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized.</p><h3>Requirements</h3>You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.<h3>Education</h3>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/.