Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

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
• 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
• 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
• NOTE: Individuals who have or have had multiple licenses and had any such license revoked for professional misconduct - professional incompetency or substandard care - or who surrendered such license after receiving written notice of potential termination of such license by the state for professional misconduct - professional incompetence - or substandard care - are not eligible for appointment to the position unless such revoked or surrendered license is fully restored (38 U.S.C 7402(f))
• Effective November 30 - 1999 - this is a requirement for employment
• This requirement does not apply to licensed physical therapists on VA rolls as of November 30 - 1999 - provided the individual maintains a continuous appointment and is not disqualified for employment by any subsequent revocations or voluntary surrenders of State license - registration or certification
• Loss of Credential
• A PT who fails to maintain the required license must be removed from the occupation - which may result in termination of employment
• At the discretion of the appointing official - an employee may be reassigned to another occupation - if qualified - and if a placement opportunity exists
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• Supervisory Physical Therapist - GS-14 (a) 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
• (b) 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: Prior Supervisory and Outpatient/Orthopedic experience preferred
• 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: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation - see Duties section for essential job duties of the position
• May require standing - lifting - carrying - sitting - stooping - bending - pulling and pushing
• May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment
• Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions
• the area is adequately lighted - heated and ventilated
• However - the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

Duties

• The Supervisory Physical Therapist reports to Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service where patients are treated from all clinical areas of the medical facilities and the CBOCs
• Incumbent treats patients with varied disabilities - some of which are difficult to treat because of the complex involvement of the patient
• Incumbent must have comprehensive professional knowledge and skill in performing various specialized procedures and evaluative techniques pertinent to the profession of physical therapy
• This employee has the full responsibility for organizing - coordinating - planning - evaluating - and supervising the operative of the employees in the Physical Therapy - Kinesiotherapy - and Occupational Therapy sections of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS)
• Duties include but not limited to: The incumbent - with the responsibility and accountability for the medical center's physical therapy - kinesiotherapy - and occupational therapy programs - has full supervisory responsibility for the physical therapy - kinesiotherapy - and occupational therapy staff - including work assignments - rotating staff to meet changing patient needs - approval and planning of leave - performance evaluations - recommending awards - advancements - and disciplinary actions
• Incumbent coordinates and integrate the activities of physical therapy - kinesiotherapy - and occupational therapy with other services to ensure the prompt and efficient delivery of services by the therapy staff
• continuously evaluates and reviews the delivery of therapy services and takes appropriate action when patient treatment or program problems are identified
• Provides consultative services to subordinate therapists and other medical center personnel such as physicians - residents - advanced practice practitioners - and nurses - when necessary
• Provides consultative therapy services to the Amputee and PACT Clinics - Durable Medical Equipment Committee - and HISA program
• Identifies continuing education needs and makes every effort to see that these needs are met through in-service programs and providing direction and support for participation in continuing education opportunities offered in the private sector
• Fiscal procedures: Incumbent is responsible for reviewing - approving - or denying leave in VATAS timely for all subordinate employees
• Incumbent is responsible for reviewing - approving - or denying premium pay requests in VATAS for all subordinate employees
• Incumbent responsible for managing overtime requests/premium pay requests within the limitations of the service's budget for the current fiscal year
• Other Administrative Duties: As needed by the Service Chief - coordinates activities between the various PM&RS sections by reviewing consultations referred to PMRS and providing guidance - coordination - and follow-up to Veterans regarding treatment programs - progress reporting - etc
• Assists the Service Chief with developing and control of PMRS budget - operating plans - administrative policies - and patient treatment protocols and with developing plans for efficient utilization of PMRS personnel - space - and equipment to obtain the most effective treatment for the greatest possible number of patients
• Assists Service Chief with monitoring PMRS data and drafting action plans to address any necessary interventions to ensure the delivery of safe - efficient - and effective therapy services to referred Veterans
• Assists with the Performance Improvement program for PMRS as needed by developing - implementing - and incorporating new requirements of JCAHO into the current program and submitting necessary reports
• Typically - in the administrative aspects of this position - the incumbent receives supervision in the form of information on desired objectives and review of results
• Working under the supervision of the Chief - PMRS - incumbent performs work independently and is generally relied upon to resolve problems pertaining to the area
• Assists with the Performance Improvement program for PMRS as needed by developing - implementing - and incorporating new requirements of JCAHO into the current program and submitting necessary reports
• E
• Typically - in the administrative aspects of this position - the incumbent receives supervision in the form of information on desired objectives and review of results
• Working under the supervision of the Chief - PMRS - incumbent performs work independently and is generally relied upon to resolve problems pertaining to the area
• Work Schedule: 8:00 am - 4:30pm - Monday - Friday (subject to change based upon the needs of the facility) Telework: Not Available
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 667-00937-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact Robert Knudsen - robert.knudsen@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.