Physical Therapist Assistant-Full Performance

DATE POSTED: 07/25/2023 Updated (8/7/2023)

JOB TITLE: Physical Therapist Assistant-Full Performance

RECRUITMENT NO: KCH 23-184

JOB LOCATION: KONA COMMUNITY HOSPITAL – Physical Therapy

SALARY: $5,522/month (HE10; BU10)

JOB DUTIES: This position works in the physical therapy department of a hospital, clinic or long term care facility and is responsible for implementing physical therapy care plans developed by a licensed Physical Therapist. The position may be required to work on shifts, including evenings, and weekends and holidays.

MUST BE AVAILABLE TO WORK SHIFTS AS NECESSARY BASED ON HOSPITAL OPERATIONS; SERVICES ARE PROVIDED 24/7.

THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS ARE: Applicants must meet all of the following requirements. Please note that unless specifically indicated; the required education and experiences may not be gained concurrently. In addition, qualifying work experiences are based on a 40-hour work week.

Prerequisite Qualifications Required for the Entry Level

Education and Essential Knowledge and Abilities:

• Graduation from an accredited physical therapist assistant program or an accredited physical therapy program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, it’s predecessor organization, or its successor organization, which demonstrated knowledge of human anatomy; physiology; kinesiology; thermal agents; therapeutic exercise; traction; therapeutic massage; aquatic physical therapy; uses of various modalities; neuropathology; electrotherapy; universal handwashing procedures; and the ability to read, write, speak, understand and communicate effectively with others in English; safely manage patients in treatment activities, and stimulate, motivate, guide and teach patients to perform required movements and recognize their individual limitations; apply various modalities and thermal agents, traction, therapeutic massage, therapeutic exercise, aquatic physical therapy and electrotherapy; lift and transfer paralyzed and partially paralyzed patients to and from wheelchairs, exercise tables, beds, etc.; deal with a variety of patients and others and adjust to continuously changing situations; keep records and tabulate statistics; maintain equipment, supplies and the physical environment in an acceptable manner; and learn various specialized procedures and use of equipment peculiar to given patients or a particular program of service or facility.

License Required:

• License to practice as a Physical Therapist Assistant in the State of Hawaii.

Certification Required:

• Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Workers must be obtained within six (6) months of employment.

Physical Requirements

• All employees must be physically able to perform the essential duties of the position. The general types of physical abilities involved, and examples of the tasks requiring these abilities, follows:

(These requirements are supplemented by the Physical Requirements Specifications, for Nurse Aide classes.)

Prerequisite Qualifications Required for the Full Performance Level: In addition to the qualifications required at the entry level:

Experience and Essential Knowledge and Abilities:

• One (1) year of work experience as a physical therapy assistant which involved the performance of physical therapy work and related duties under the direction of a Physical Therapist. Such work experience must have demonstrated the implementation of physical therapy care plans developed by a Physical Therapist, care and use of equipment, providing instruction in physical therapy procedures to patients and others; demonstrated knowledge of applicable hospital/facility/program policies and procedures; and the ability to assist in evaluative tests, use specialized physical therapy procedures, select and modify treatment techniques upon approval of the Physical Therapist, and participate with the Physical Therapist in developing the patient’s treatment goals and objectives.

Substitutions Allowed:

• Completion of all requirements for a baccalaureate degree in physical therapy from a school of physical therapy approved at the time of their graduation, by an agency recognized by either the United States Department of Education or the Council on Post-Secondary Accreditation; or in the case of a foreign-trained person, a credentials evaluation agency recognized by the appropriate licensing agency of the State of Hawaii, indicating completion of an education program that has been determined to be equivalent to entry level Physical Therapist education in the United States, may be substituted for all of the education and work experience required for the entry and full performance level.

Required Forms & Documentation: Evidence of the appropriate training (e.g., official transcript or degree) to be given credit for education and/or experience. A legible photocopy will be accepted; however, Kona Community Hospital reserves the right to request an official copy.

For an application packet, click on the links below. For additional information, call (808) 322-4458 or e-mail Recruiting/Employment.

• Application Form (PDF)
• Drug Screen Authorization Form (PDF)
• Request for Administrative Review (PDF)
• Licensure information

Applications are also available at:

Kona Community Hospital is a 94-bed full-service acute care hospital with 24-hour emergency services, proudly serving the West Hawaii community. For nearly 100 years we have been caring for the people of West Hawaii. Adding more and more services, we have constantly improved our abilities to serve our residents and visitors whenever they are in need. We are your friends and neighbors, here to help through trying times and happy moments, through crisis and celebrations. As your community hospital, you can count on us. We take pride that every patient that comes through our door is treated like “ohana.”

PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES MAY CONTACT THE RECRUITMENT OFFICER AT (808) 733-4162, (TTD/TTY), or E-mail: [email protected] TO DISCUSS SPECIAL NEEDS IN APPLYING.

Application hours are: Monday to Friday (except holidays) 8:00 – 10:00 am and 1:00- 3:00 pm at which time applicants are able to complete an application and have their application reviewed by the facility Human Resources Office. Only applicants that have been through a Human Resources (HR) applicant screening process will be considered for an interview with a hiring manager. Applications for announcements with a deadline date must be on file no later than the last day to file applications. Applications for announcements with “Continuous Recruitment until Needs are Met” will be accepted as long as there are vacancies. Inactive/filled announcements will be taken off the HHSC website.

QUALITY OF EXPERIENCE: Possession of the required amount of experience will not in itself be accepted as proof of qualification for the position. Overall paid or unpaid experience must have been of such scope and responsibility as to conclusively demonstrate that you have the ability to perform the duties of this position. Provide a detailed description of your duties and responsibilities. If you worked on a part-time basis, indicate the average number of hours worked per week. Please note that experience will be based on a 40-hour workweek.

Note: We will not postpone the recruitment process because of your failure to provide accurate and complete information concerning your qualifications.

MERIT OR CIVIL SERVICE SYSTEM: Applicants must meet the minimum qualification requirements, including education, experience, other public employment requirements for State Civil Service employment, and HHSC Standards of Fitness. Only those applicants that are scheduled for an interview with the hiring manager will be contacted. Applications will be kept active for six (6) months.

CITIZENSHIP AND RESIDENCE REQUIREMENT: Applicants must be eligible to work in the U.S. and at the time of appointment intend to reside in the State of Hawaii during the course of employment with the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation.

VETERAN’S PREFERENCE: If you are claiming Veteran’s Preference, you must submit a copy of your DD214 and/or other substantiating documents specifying the periods of your service.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must be able to physically and mentally perform efficiently the duties of the position. Qualified applicants with disabilities who can perform the essential functions of the advertised position are encouraged to apply. The Hawaii Health Systems Corporation is committed to making reasonable accommodations on a case-by-case basis. Applicants seeking reasonable accommodation should be ready to discuss the accommodation sought so that a determination can be made that such accommodation is reasonable and would not cause the employer undue hardship.

MEDICAL/PHYSICAL EXAMINATION REQUIREMENT: Offers of employment will be contingent on successfully passing a pre-employment physical examination, which includes drug screen and other regulatory medical requirements such as, but not limited to, two-step tuberculosis (TB) screen. The cost for physical examinations, except the cost for drug screening, shall be borne by the applicant and not the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation.

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION REQUIREMENT: Offers of employment will be conditioned on the results of a complete physical examination, which includes a drug screening. For certain job categories, applicants may be referred to an HHSC-designated physician, rather than the applicant’s personal physician of choice. The cost for all physical examinations, except the cost for the drug screening, shall be borne by the applicant and not the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation. The Hawaii Health Systems Corporation shall bear the cost of the drug screening.

CRIMINAL/BACKGROUND, CREDENTIALING CHECKS: Applicable checks will be conducted periodically and any associated costs may be borne by the applicant. If a job offer is made or employment is begun prior to completion of all applicable checks, any offer of employment or continued employment is contingent upon satisfactory return of all required checks.

HOW TO APPLY: Applications are available at the Kona Community Hospital, Human Resources Office, 79-1019 Haukapila Street, Kealakekua, HI 96750 or Kohala Hospital, P. O. Box 10, Kapaau, HI 96755. You can call (808) 733-4162, (Voice/TT), e-mail: [email protected] or visit our website at www.hhsc.org. Application hours are: Monday to Friday (except holidays) 8:00 – 10:00 am to 1:00 – 3:00 pm at which time applicants are able to complete an application and have their application reviewed by the facility Human Resources Office. Only applicants that have been through a Human Resources (HR) applicant screening process will be considered for an interview with a hiring manager. Applications for announcements with a deadline date must be on file no later than the last day to file applications. Applications for announcements with “Continuous Recruitment Until Needs are Met” will be accepted as long as there are vacancies. Inactive/filled announcements will be taken off the HHSC website.

STEPS TO AN ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW, SUBSEQUENT APPEALS: If you do not agree with a decision made by the Employment Office as to your non-qualification or non-selection for a position, you may complete a Request for Administrative Review form (available on the HHSC website) or you may submit a written request within twenty (20) days from the date of your sent notice to the Regional Chief Executive Officer/Designee. Your letter requesting the Administrative Review must include 1. The job title(s) and recruitment number(s), 2. the specific reason(s) you are requesting the review noting if there is a statute or rule violation, and 3. any additional information you want to submit to substantiate your request. If you do not submit your request within the twenty (20) days deadline, no Administrative Review will be conducted. Since the Administrative Review is a prerequisite to subsequent steps, failure to utilize this process will make you ineligible for subsequent appeals. The administrative review, formal complaint and/or appeals hearing will not necessarily postpone the recruitment process and/or rescind a selection.

If you do not agree with the Administrative Review, you may file a Formal Complaint and then, if you are still not satisfied, you can appeal to the HHSC Merit Appeals Board.