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Posted: January 23, 2026 (7 days ago)

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Physical Therapy Assistant

Military Treatment Facilities under DHA

Department of Defense

Fresh

Location

Salary

$46,084 - $59,908

per year

Closes

February 2, 2026

GS-5 Pay Grade

Base salary range: $33,878 - $44,042

Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience. Bachelor's degree.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This job is for a physical therapy assistant at a naval medical center in Virginia, where you'll help therapists treat patients through exercises and monitoring their progress, while also handling some paperwork and supplies.

It's a good fit for someone with basic experience or education in therapy fields who enjoys working in a military healthcare setting and supporting patient recovery. U.S.

citizenship is required, and it offers opportunities like recruitment incentives for qualified applicants.

Key Requirements

  • U.S. Citizenship
  • One year of specialized experience assisting with physical therapy treatments, observing patients, and maintaining records (equivalent to GS-05 level)
  • OR 9 semester hours of graduate education in fields like Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Kinesiotherapy, Sports Medicine, or Exercise Science
  • OR a combination of relevant education and experience totaling 100% of the requirement
  • Ability to measure patient vital signs, range of motion, and body measurements
  • Skills in performing corrective exercises and treatments under supervision
  • Proficiency in clerical tasks like record-keeping, inventory, and supply ordering

Full Job Description

About the Position: This position is located at Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth, Virginia.

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

Recruitment Incentive may be authorized. Advanced In-hire may be authorized. Who May Apply: US Citizens In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or requirements described below.

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; religious; spiritual; community; student; social).

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application.

Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes assisting and observing patients with physical therapy treatment plans, and maintaining patient records in order to plan, modify, and coordinate treatment programs.

This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-05).

OR Education: A half year (i.e., 9 semester hours) of graduate level education in a field directly related to the work of the position, such as Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Kinesiotherapy, Sports Medicine, Exercise Science.

OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%.

To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) by 9.

Add the two percentages. Major Duties:

  • Assist the Physical Therapist in administering highly specialized, diversified, and non-standard treatments.
  • Observe patients during treatments and evaluate data on patients' responses to treatment and report orally or in writing to the physical therapist.
  • Measure patient's range-of-joint motion, length and girth of body parts, and vital signs to determine effects of specific treatments.
  • Carry out a program of corrective exercise and treatment for assigned patients, as directed by the Head, Sports Medicine and Physical Therapy Department.
  • Maintain department records and files in accordance with facility policies.
  • Perform clerical duties, such as taking inventory, ordering supplies, answering telephone, taking messages, and completion of forms.

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Posted on USAJOBS: 1/23/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 1/23/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: HSJT-26-12870046-DHA