Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to current, permanent W. G. (Bill) Hefner VA Medical Center employees only. NOTE: Please submit SF-50 Form -Notification of Personnel Action along with resume to verify status of current permanent Salisbury VA Health Care System Facility employee.

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As the supervisory physical therapist, you will supervise the delivery of physical therapy programs to patients. You will perform a wide range of complex physical therapy duties requiring an advanced knowledge of physical therapy, evidence-based practices, and clinical practice guidelines in multiple professional areas. Your responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Assist in the planning, development, and implementation of various treatment programs for PM&RS.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures for Physical Therapy.
• Supervise and assign work to physical therapists, lead physical therapists, physical therapy assistants, aides, trainees, students, and volunteers in the delivery and/or support of treatment and education of patients and families.
• Triage consults to Physical Therapy for appropriateness and completeness prior to scheduling.
• Coordinate scheduling for all consults for new patients.
• Ensure consults are handled in the most expeditious manner based upon acuity of need.
• Coordinate with other sections and other services in the area of physical therapy treatment, treatment scheduling, and delivery of care.
• Serve as a consultant to Physical Therapy staff and other hospital personnel in evaluating and planning physical therapy treatment.
• Resolve problems that interfere with the delivery of physical therapy services.
• Perform all other duties/activities of a staff physical therapist, including evaluation and treatment of patients.
• Identify continuing education needs based on performance of Physical Therapy staff.
• Assist with education of student trainees from multiple schools.
• Develop and plan educational programs to include patient, family, and professional personnel.
• Educate other facility personnel in the scope of physical therapy services and programs involving a variety of healthcare specialties.
• Coordinate research studies and serve as a consultant to staff in research initiatives.
• Perform a full range of supervisory duties that include interviewing candidates; recommending appointments, advancements, and promotions; and taking disciplinary action when indicated.
• Contribute to the development and completion of performance evaluations for Physical Therapy staff.
• Conduct department meetings and/or in-services on a regular basis to expand the knowledge and disseminate appropriate information to Physical Therapy staff.
• Collect and compile appropriate data for statistical and narrative reports.
• Make recommendations for equipment and budgetary needs.
• Submit requests for expendable and non-expendable equipment, and review the equipment needs and budget with the Administrative Officer.
• Ensure that all OSHA standards as well as the facility safety guidelines and infection control policies are being met in the treatment areas.
• Meet the needs of customers while supporting VA missions.
• Communicate and treat customers in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner.
• Provide customers with consistent information according to established policies and procedures.
• Accept additional and special assignments that are necessary to meet program goals or customer needs.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
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 Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: To qualify for appointment, all applicants for the position of physical therapist in VHA must meet the following:

• 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:
  • Bachelor's degree in physical therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist, OR
  • Master's degree in physical therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist, OR
  • Doctorate degree in physical therapy.
• Licensure: 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: Be proficient in written and spoken English.

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).

Grade Determinations: In addition to meeting the basic requirements listed above, applicants must meet the minimum qualifications requirement for appointment as a GS-14 Supervisory Physical Therapist.

Experience: One (1) year of progressively complex physical therapist experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in Federal Service. Examples of qualifying experience include, but are not limited to, 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 physical therapists or other multi-discipline staff; provide supervision of key clinical and training programs, including the overall technical oversight of the staff administratively supervised; develop and implement policies and procedures to address focused clinical needs and the overall services delivered and provided within the section; assign work to employees, monitor workload and clinical volume, review work of employees to assure accuracy and validity of submissions, assure adequate clinical staffing, impose disciplinary measures, and monitor clinical privileges; and provide overall clinical supervision that assures the proper coordination and delivery of care within the section and the facility. In addition, candidates must demonstrate all the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)
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.

The ideal candidate should demonstrate advanced clinical and leadership experience in Physical Therapy (PT), with proven success supervising multidisciplinary teams across multiple clinical sites. The candidate must possess strong problem-solving, communication, and interpersonal skills, foster collaboration and maintain effective working relationships with all staff to ensure cohesive team performance and coordinated patient care.

The preferred candidate models VA's ICARE values, demonstrating fairness, equity, transparency, and professionalism while promoting respectful, inclusive, team-oriented work culture. Experience in clinical operations and management, program development, performance improvement, and compliance with VA directives and accreditation standards is highly desirable. Prior supervisory or leadership experience at the next lower grade level is preferred to ensure a seamless transition into this role.

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G12, Physical Therapist Qualification Standard.

The full performance level of this vacancy is 14. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is 14.

Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting 50 pounds and over; use of fingers; both hands required; reaching above shoulder; walking (8 hours); standing (8 hours); both legs required (1 prosthetic); far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in other; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing (aid permitted); mental and emotional stability.

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.