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Administrative duties include, but are not limited to:

1. Full supervisory responsibilities over a large Inpatient Physical Therapy staff consisting of clinical specialists, senior and other licensed PTs and PTAs including the acute care medicine & Polytrauma Units
2. Manages assigned personnel ceiling, distributing personnel resources to achieve efficient and effective delivery of Physical Therapy services; keeping PT Department Chief apprised of needed adjustments.
3. Assists in the recruitment, selection, and promotion of Physical Therapists and Physical Therapy Assistants in accordance with VA personnel regulations, e.g., Title 38, Title V, EEO and Affirmative Action, when initiated or requested.
4. Requests quarterly, expendable supplies; regularly review condition of equipment and request repairs/replacement as indicated; submit requests for new equipment with appropriate justification through PT department Chief; apprise PT department Chief of any needed space adjustment
5. Assists in establishing clinical procedures, guidelines, protocols, etc. for the Physical Therapy Department; assist in developing and evaluating the Physical Therapy Quality assurance plan (using JCAHO standards); assist in collection of workload and other required program management data as/if needed
6. Maintains knowledge of VA fiscal management systems and how they impact on the provision of patient care; keep abreast of changes in eligibility and entitlement of services to veterans.
7. Participates in service level projects upon request; serve on Medical Center committees upon request; represent the service in meeting, and other duties as required. Demonstrating ability to serve as a facilitator, consultant, and/or negotiator in coordinating departmental and/or service and/or facility initiatives as assigned.
8. Serves as liaison between PT Department Chief and others.
9. Other duties if/as assigned/required

Clinical Functions include, but not limited to:

1. Identify and develop goals and objectives for the Inpatient Physical Therapy Section in consort with the mission of the Physical Therapy Department, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS), and Central Virginia VA Healthcare System (CVHCS).
2. Demonstrates advanced competence in the evaluation and treatment of clients in care across the continuum from inpatients to outpatients, and acute/sub-acute care through rehabilitation and discharge planning.
3. Evaluate the effectiveness of treatment programs/services provided; develop new programs/services to meet the changing needs of the veteran population; eliminate programs/services that are no longer needed. Maintain an effective quality assurance and utilization review effort.
4. Facilitate a cooperative working relationship between Physical Therapy, other PM&RS departments, and other services at the Medical Center.
5. Has skills that are well beyond entry-level competence, with minimum of 2 full years treating clients with complex diagnosis often coupled with multiple other medical problems.
6. Clinician demonstrates consistent ongoing ability to perform with a high degree of autonomy in the evaluation and treatment of complex clients e.g. orthopedic or neurologic disorders of the nervous system due to diseases and/or trauma.
7. Serves as a subject matter expert in the areas of Physical Therapy for PT, PM&RS and other Medical center staff.
8. May provide in-service and clinical training programs in the areas of specialization as rendered by PT.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Personnel.

Qualifications

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
  • NOTE: Individuals must be a graduate of a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredited college or university. The CAPTE is the only accreditation agency recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) to accredit entry-level physical therapy programs. Verification of accredited programs may be obtained form he American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) at www.apta.org.
• Licensure: Individuals must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice physical therapy in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia.
• English Language Proficiency: Individuals appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA must be proficient in written and spoken English.

NOTE: Individuals but be a graduate of a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredited college or university. The CAPTE is the only accreditation agency recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) to accredit entry-level physical therapy programs. Verification of accredited programs may be obtained from the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) at www.apta.org.

Grade Determinations:
GS-13: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs.

1. . Knowledge of contemporary physical therapy across multiple areas of practice, and the demonstrated ability to apply this knowledge to provide clinical guidance to Staff PTs within the department.
2. Knowledge of human resources administration, including such functions as the ability to interview and select qualified applicants, monitor and evaluate performance, and maintain effective labor management relations within scope of responsibility.
3. Ability to effectively supervise, direct, and manage a diverse physical therapy staff.
4. Skill in forging positive interpersonal relationships and conflict resolution.
5. Ability to analyze clinically appropriate data effectively to optimize quality, performance, and productivity within the section.
6. Ability to set priorities, delegate tasks, and solve problems in order to meet multiple deadlines and identify/address organizational problems.
7. Ability to manage advocacy roles and planning activities within the VA and the greater rehabilitation community

Assignment: For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Supervisory PTs are responsible for the supervision, administrative management, and direction of the physical therapy program in a rehabilitation service or equivalent service-level department which consists of three or more PTs or other multi-discipline staff. The incumbent provides supervision of key clinical and training programs, including the overall technical oversight of the staff that He/she administratively supervise. Supervisors are responsible for the development and implementation of policies and procedures to address focused clinical needs and the overall services delivered and provided within the section. He/she demonstrates autonomy in performing supervisory responsibilities that include, but are not limited to, assigning work to employees, monitoring workload and clinical volume, reviewing work of employees to assure accuracy and validity of submissions, assuring adequate clinical staffing, imposing disciplinary measures, and monitoring clinical privileges. He/she is required to provide overall clinical supervision that assures the proper coordination and delivery of care within the section and the facility.

References: VA Handbook 5005/99, Part II, Appendix G12

Physical Requirements: Work includes regular and recurring physical exertion, which involves standing, bending, kneeling, reaching, gripping, and walking. Moderate to heavy lifting (45lbs or greater) is often required. Sitting at meetings, desks, or computer terminals for documentations purposes is required. Visual acuity to perform daily documentation and work with clients. Mental and emotional stability to work with varied caseloads.

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.

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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.