Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to current, permanent VHA employee ONLY. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Videos

Duties include but are not limited to:

CLINICAL

• Provides overall clinical supervision that assures the proper coordination and delivery of care within the section and the facility at large
• Coordinates with other departments to facilitate the efficient operation of SCI&D therapy services.
• Is responsible for the day to day operations of the SCI&D therapy department.
• Consults with other staff and physicians through attendance at specialty clinics and educational presentations.
• Resolves problems that interfere with delivery of SCI&D therapy services.
• Performs all other duties/activities of a staff PT.
• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary when performing his/her duties in providing care appropriate to all patients, with particular emphasis on the needs of SCI patients. The incumbent must demonstrate knowledge of age associated changes, illnesses, and potential disabilities in order to work with all adult patients.
• Represents SCI&D Service line at VISN 6 REC ICC meetings.

EDUCATION

• Identifies continuing education needs based on performance of all PT/ OT/KT/RT staff.
• Develops and plans educational programs to include patient, family and professional personnel.
• Educates other facility personnel of scope of PT/ OT/ KT/ RT services and programs involving a variety of health care specialties.
• Provides in-service education to other hospital departments and SCI VISN spokes training.

ADMINISTRATIVE/SUPERVISORY

• Supervises SCI&D therapy personnel as assigned by the SCI&D Service line executive.
• Responsible for the day to day operation of the SCI&D therapy service excluding physician and primary care operations. These operations would include any location (Hospital or Outpatient including home health visits.)
• Oversees occupational, physical, recreational therapists, and Kinesiotherapists working off station through the SCI&D Home Care program.
• Creates plans that actively support the achievement of organizational goals and ensures that staff understands their role in achieving those goals and related missions of the VA and the SCI&D Service Line.
• Recruits candidates for employment, receives applications, conducts pre-employment interviews, and recommends appointments, advancements, promotions, or disciplinary action to the Professional Standards Board. Evaluates the rehab therapy staff work performances in conjunction with the respective professional liaisons.
• Guides and manages clinics in respect to training, performance, conduct and patient welfare. Directs, assigns and counsels rehab therapy staff.
• Assists SCI&D Service Chief,\ in planning and developing various treatment programs to meet patient needs.
• Maintains statistical records; and necessary information of completion of various required statistics and reports of section activity.
• Develops, plans, and implements monitors of quality of care with respect to PT/OT/KT/RT services as part of the comprehensive health care services delivered to the patient within the SCI&D service line.
• Assures the cleanliness, maintenance, repairs, and successful operation of all PT/OT/KT/RT equipment, treatment areas and operational supplies. Reviews requests for SCI&D therapy supplies and equipment and monitors status of equipment orders.
• Actively supports and promotes all programs of the SCI&D Service Line.
• Actively involved in submitting abstracts for presentations at SCI&D conferences. Assists service line Chief in making presentations to referrals sources, as well as hospital and VISN departments.
• Promotes research and innovation participation by staff therapists through review of proposals and adjusting caseloads as needed.
• Develops, updates, and publishes the SCI&D Therapy policy and procedures.
• Develops and maintains a performance improvement program incorporating new requirements of JCAHO in current programs.
• Represents Rehab therapy section of SCI&D in the medical center and community.
• Responsible for providing administrative and technical supervision and coordination for a diverse group of Allied Health professionals. This includes ensuring that customer service standards are met; quality clinical practices are routine, adherence to professional code of ethics, patient rights, staff morale, staff training/education and adherence to External review organizations.
• Updates Labor Mapping to accurately reflect duties of subordinate staff.
• Approves leave while maintaining appropriate clinical coverage for the Service

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


Work Schedule: Monday - Friday. 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Compressed/Flexible:Not Authorized
Telework: Ad-hocVirtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 00000
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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• 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

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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 GS-14:

1. 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: PTs at this level manage all aspects of a distinct rehabilitation program or service at the VISN, national and/or region level and are generally found at regional centers or assigned to the national program office in VA Central Office. This position would include but not be specifically limited to programs such as amputee, spinal cord injury, chronic pain, Prevention of Amputation for Veterans Everywhere (PAVE), Polytrauma/TBI. This includes policy development, quality resources and specialty functions unique to the program to optimize program and patient outcomes. The program coordinator is knowledgeable about facility, regional and national policies to ensure compliance. This assignment requires administrative direction and decision making skills, but does not necessarily require formal supervisory responsibility for personnel. Physical Therapists in this role are responsible for strategic planning to ensure the provision of high quality services meet the needs of the Veterans being served. They are also responsible for developing and implementing short and long term goals and objectives consistent with the program's strategic plan. Responsibilities include operation and management of key clinical, training, research, or administrative programs. He/she develops and implements programs, policies, and procedures to meet program goals, policy and external accreditation requirements at the VISN, national and/or regional level.

In addition, candidates must demonstrate all the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below.

2. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

• Knowledge of and skill in management/administration, consultation, negotiation and compliance.
• Advanced knowledge in the specialty program with application to interdisciplinary team function, goals and outcomes across multiple areas of practice.
• Ability to serve as a consultant and liaison to local, regional or national coordinators and/or national program offices as well as other providers regarding the delivery of rehabilitation care within the specialty program area.
• Demonstrates ability to serve as facilitator and/or negotiator in coordinating program initiatives among local, regional or national coordinators and interdisciplinary teams to improve quality of care for patients. Ability to evaluate, monitor and report on the status and progress of the specialty programs within the region.
• Ability to develop and coordinate treatment programs within the specialty field nationally or within the region

Preferred Experience: Spinal Cord Injury experience.

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: 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 documentation 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, 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.