Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. This job is open to current permanent Department of Veteran Affairs employees, current permanent Federal employees of other agencies, and all US Citizens.

Videos

VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY

Duties are but not limited to:

The Supervisory Physical Therapist provides direct supervision to diverse rehabilitation staff (OT, PT, KT) in the Acute Care Inpatient, Outpatient, Driver's Training Program, Orthopedic Program, Neurosurgery Program. The programs indicated have many specialty programs such as: cancer rehabilitation program, inpatient intensive care, inpatient step-down units, neurosurgery rehabilitation, podiatry services, vestibular rehabilitation, acute and chronic medical rehabilitation, inpatient wheelchair mobility, surgical and neurological impairments, pain management, geriatric care, spine care, cognitive and psychological impairments, inpatient stroke rehabilitation, inpatient amputee system of care, orthopedic boot camp, total joint replacements, and durable medical equipment program. Additional responsibilities include oversight and administrative management of all patient care services (nursing, case manager, psychologist, social worker, physician, etc.) provided in Inpatient program. He/she plans, develops, monitors, and evaluates effectiveness of new and existing patient care programs, and is responsible for the outcomes and level of work performed.

Incumbent works under the general direction of the Chief of PM&R Service. Supervisory role includes supervision of Rehabilitation Coordinators, Lead Therapists, Staff Therapist, trainees, volunteers and others. Supervises administrative staff in the absence of the PM&R Chief and/or Administrative Officer (AO). Works with supervisors from other disciplines to coordinate and develop specific programs service goals. He/she is responsible for developing specific goals and procedures and directing therapy services in such a manner as to make optimal use of the staff, resources and space to provide therapy services according to the individual needs of patients and other customers.

Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 8am- 4:30pm; Occasional Weekends
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 55261-F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

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.
• 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 dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• 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).
• 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.

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.
• 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. See Chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part.
• 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: Prior to 1995 the terminal degree for PT's was either a bachelors or master's degree. In 1995 CAPTE accredited all baccalaureate, master's, and Doctor of Physical Therapy terminal degree programs. Effective 2002, CAPTE changed its scope of accrediting activities of PT education programs to include only those programs that culminate in post baccalaureate degrees(eliminating the baccalaureate degree). Effective 2015, professional physical therapy education programs have only offered the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree to all new students.
• 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 from the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) at www.apta.org.
• Licensure. Individuals 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. Non-licensed PTs, who otherwise meet the basic requirements in this standard, may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate PT at the GS-11 grade level under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 (a)(1)(D) for a period not-to-exceed two years from the date of employment on the condition that such PT provide care only under the supervision of a PT who is licensed. Failure to obtain licensure during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment.

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Supervisory Physical Therapist, GS-14:

Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level. In addition, 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 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.

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 at this level are responsible for the professional and administrative management of an assigned area in a large physical therapy service or a rehabilitation service with multiple therapy related disciplines, including but not limited to the Physical Therapy (PT), Occupational Therapy, Kinesiotherapy, Speech & Language Pathology, Recreation Therapy, and Blind Rehabilitation. Supervisors manage staff, maintain effective interdepartmental relations, and cooperate with other services to accomplish the medical facility's mission and goals. 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. He/she is responsible for determining resource needs, allocating resources, ensuring proper utilization in productivity, efficiency, and cost effectiveness of the operation. He/she formulates objectives and priorities and implements plans consistent with the long term interest of the service or facility, capitalizing on opportunities and managing risks. Individuals at this level would generally be found at a highly complex facility.


Preferred Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in leadership, management, coordination and/or supervision and professional knowledge of current rehabilitation practices of a multiple disciplinary team (to include but not limited to: PT, KT, OT, Recreation Therapy, Creative Arts, Physiatry, Speech, etc.) with progressive leadership experience.
• Experience promoting, coordinating and/or performing evaluations for patients with acute and/or chronic injuries, to include preventive mental health and physical health for age ranging from 18 to older. Experience and/or knowledge in patient care through telerehabilitation technology advancements.
• Experience and expertise to work with OEF/OIF service members and/or veterans and families who are experiencing a wide range of complicated mental, emotional, behavioral, physical, psychosocial, and environmental problems; providing advice and counseling; resolving complaints and enhancing customer satisfaction.
• Experience serving on committees, work groups, and task forces; preparing program reports, presenting briefings, findings and recommendations; setting priorities, assigning tasks, coordinating operations, meeting deadlines; reviewing policies and developing procedures.
• Experience in understanding and implementation of data systems to track service activities including visits, referrals, patient demographics, equipment utilization, budget, resources needs, patient satisfaction, clinical guidelines, protocols and monitoring performance and outcome measures.
• Experience providing guidance to staff, and knowledge in planning and directing recruitment, orientation, competencies, assessing training needs, assignment of work; performance evaluations; selection of staff; recommendation of awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-14.

Physical Requirements: Should have the ability to perform repetitive physical activities: Up to 4-6 hours of the following: sitting, walking, standing, twisting, bending, stooping, reaching overhead, grasping and pinching with hands and fine manipulation, such as typing/keyboarding. Up to 1-2 hours of the following: straight pulling, puling hand over hand, pushing, climbing and kneeling.

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, resume, 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.

Area of Consideration- Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:

1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility.

2. All other VA employees.

3. Current permanent Federal employees of other agencies.

4. All other applicants.

Note: Veterans' Preference is not applicable to VA employees or employees of other Federal agencies.