Clarification from the agency

Open to current permanent TN Valley Healthcare System Employees ONLY

The Whole Health Physical Therapy Section Chief is responsible for supervision, administrative management and direction of a physical therapy service which consists of Clinical Specialist Physical Therapist, Physical Therapy Assistants and other multidisciplinary staff. Currently the staff is dispersed through the two main campuses and three Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs), and is projected to grow with further CBOC activation.

The incumbent is responsible for developing, providing and coordinating operating programs for Whole Health programs and clinics, which include physicians, residents, therapeutic, integrative health disciplines and administrative staff. They review internal systems to assure that both clinical and administrative activities are in compliance with agency, accrediting, and regulatory requirements. The incumbent maintains program requirements/validation criteria for assigned organizations and directs subordinate supervisors and staff members to participate in cyclic or special evaluations.

The Section Chief works in a supportive role reporting to the Whole Health Service Chief.

This role is also clinical in respect to providing patient evaluation and treatment interventions for the Veteran population served by the Whole Health Centers.

He/she serves as a rehabilitation services subject matter expert and is a representative on the leadership team for accreditation and site visits including but not limited to Joint Commission, OIG, CARF, and PVA.

He/she serves as a point of contact and subject matter expert in areas of specialty to other interest groups such as Opioid Safety Taskforce and Pain Management services.

He/she assists the Whole Health Service through support of standardization initiatives and pilot projects.

The incumbent is responsible for personal development to ensure current knowledge within position and profession and provides mentorship of staff.

He/she develops performance standards, assures the program area is compliant with all regulatory and accrediting body requirements, designs and implements orientation and training programs for staff, and develops and maintains systems to monitor the performance of staff activities.

He/she develops local policies and procedures relative to their assigned area.

Directs staff in establishing protocols for the efficient and effective delivery of patient care within the complex musculoskeletal disorders that supports a highly integrated and specialized staff and diverse programming.

Provides direct patient care appropriate to the cognitive, emotional, and chronological maturation needs of the adult and/or geriatric patient as required by patient flow demands.

Monitors clinic order, appearance and cleanliness through participation in administrative rounds.

Serves as a rating official for Whole Health rehabilitation staff's yearly performance reviews, recommending awards, counseling staff to develop strategies for improvement, or when necessary, assisting in corrective action. Conducts ongoing performance appraisals with staff.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: M-F: 8:00AM-4:30PM
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 06/10/2019.
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.
• Education and experience. The individual must meet at least one of the requirements below:
  • (1) Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist.
  • (2) Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist.
  • (3) Doctorate degree in physical therapy.
  • (4) Foreign Graduates. Graduates of foreign physical therapy programs meet the requirements in subparagraph 3b if they have a full unrestricted and current license to practice physical therapy in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia.

CreditableExperience:
(1) Knowledge of Contemporary Professional Physical Therapy Practice. To be creditable, a candidate must have demonstrated possession of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with the scope of physical therapy practice. The candidate's experience may be evidenced by one or more of the following:
(a) Active professional practice. Active professional practice means paid/non-paid employment as a professional PT as defined by APTA or the appropriate licensing board. Experience gained after graduation but prior to licensure is creditable provided the candidate was utilized as a graduate PT and subsequently passed the licensure examination.
(b) Completion of a post-graduate fellowship or a post-graduate residency program may be substituted for creditable experience on a year for year basis.

(2) Quality of Experience. Experience is only creditable if it was post degree experience as a professional PT and is directly related to the duties to be performed. Qualifying experience must also be at a level comparable to or exceeding the professional PT experience at the next lower grade level.

Preferred Experience: Five years experience working as a licensed therapist in a rehabilitation/healthcare setting. One year experience in a supervisory capacity. One year as a clinical educator and/or instructor. Experience with or knowledge of the VA Whole Health Program and
Complementary and Integrative Health services.

Grade Determinations:
In addition, to meeting the basic requirements, one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs:

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
1. Advanced knowledge of evidence-based practices and clinical practice guidelines in multiple professional areas.

2. Skill in managing interpersonal relationships and conflict resolution in dealing with a diverse range of employees, discipline lead(s), and administrators.

3. Ability to translate extensive rehabilitation knowledge into local policy development.

4. Ability to effectively supervise staff by providing clinical and administrative oversight. This includes ability to manage resources, evaluate employees and assign work.

5. Ability to collaborate with strategic planning committees at local, VISN or national levels for new ventures addressing patient care delivery systems, facilities management, system reorganizations, etc.

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G12

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-14. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-14 to GS-14.

Physical Requirements: Pre-placement and periodic physical examinations are required for hybrid occupations to ensure workers are placed in positions where they can perform the essential functions of their job considering their physical, mental and emotional capacities, without endangering their health or the health of their co-workers. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

NOTE: The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will review the selected candidate's education and experience and recommend the grade and salary at which the candidate will be placed. For internal selectees eligible for promotion, the board will recommend grade and HR will determine step in accordance with policy.

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.