Deputy Chief PM&RS (Supervisory Occupational Therapist)

The Supervisory Occupational Therapist of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) at the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System (CTVHCS) provides strategic leadership and operational oversight across multidisciplinary rehabilitation programs, supporting the mission to deliver high-quality, Veteran-centered care.

Clinical and Program Leadership
(1) Develop, implement, and review clinical protocols, policies, and standards that guide multidisciplinary rehabilitation services, emphasizing evidence-based occupational therapy interventions.
(2) Oversee the delivery of evidence-based, patient-centered care through direct supervision and oversight of OT teams, ensuring adherence to VA standards and best practices.
(3) Lead outpatient and inpatient rehabilitation programs, ensuring comprehensive assessment, treatment planning, and coordination across teams.
(4) Maintain current clinical privileges relevant to occupational therapy and appropriate licensure, demonstrating ongoing competency, and promoting health, recovery, and functional independence for Veterans.
(5) Review clinical reports for quality, safety, and compliance; engage in incident reporting, safety initiatives, and continuous quality improvement efforts.
(6) Support specialized interventions such as cognitive rehabilitation, perceptual/motor skills, assistive technology, and complex rehabilitation needs, integrating services across disciplines.

Administrative and Program Management
(1) Provide strategic oversight for program evaluation, resource allocation, and operational planning to optimize service delivery and efficiency.
(2) Lead efforts to maintain accreditation standards, ensure compliance with VA, VHA, federal, state, and local regulations, and implement quality assurance initiatives.
(3) Develop and evaluate organizational structures, workflows, and management systems to enhance clinical operations and patient outcomes.
(4) Serve as a liaison to internal and external stakeholders, including community partners, academic institutions, and veteran organizations, to promote awareness and access to rehabilitation services.
(5) Lead community outreach, educational initiatives, and advocacy efforts to enhance veteran care and program visibility

Staff Supervision and Development
(1) Directly supervise and provide leadership to frontline supervisors of multidisciplinary teams, including OT, PT, and administrative staff; second-level supervision for all OT and COTA clinical positions.
(2) Oversee recruitment, onboarding, training, performance evaluations, and professional development initiatives.
(3) Foster a positive, collaborative work environment that encourages accountability, innovation, and staff growth.
(4) Address personnel issues, manage disciplinary actions, and support career advancement opportunities.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Education
(1) Facilitate interdisciplinary assessment, treatment planning, and case conferences to ensure integrated and comprehensive Veteran care.
(2) Support education and mentorship for residents, medical students, fellows, and clinical staff, fostering a learning environment emphasizing best practices and continuous professional development.
(3) Promote a multidisciplinary approach to rehabilitation that addresses complex medical and functional needs.

Community Relations and Advocacy
(1) Establish and maintain productive partnerships with community organizations, academic institutions, and veteran advocacy groups.
(2) Promote awareness of VA rehabilitation programs and services, advocating for veteran access and engagement.
(3) Represent the department at internal and external meetings, conferences, and stakeholder events, supporting the mission of VA and community integration.

Perform additional duties as assigned to support the mission, strategic goals, and operational needs of the CTVHCS and as instructed by the Service Chief of PM&RS.

Work Schedule: M-F 0800-1630
Telework: Ad-hoc as determined by the agency policy.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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 Proficiency. [Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).]
• Education [and/or Experience.] [(1) The individual must meet at least one of the following requirements below: (a) Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy and two (2) years of experience as an occupational therapist; NOTE: The baccalaureate degree must be from an approved program prior to the AOTA January 1, 2005 decision that the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) would only accredit master or doctoral degree programs in occupational therapy. or (b) Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy and two (2) full years of graduate education in a related field; NOTE: The baccalaureate degree must be from an approved program prior to the AOTA January 1, 2005 decision that ACOTE would only accredit master or doctoral degree programs in occupational therapy. or (c) Master's Degree or higher in occupational therapy.
• Individuals must be a graduate of] a degree program in occupational therapy approved by the ACOTE or predecessor organizations. This is inclusive of an internship (supervised fieldwork experience required by the educational institution). ACOTE is the only accreditation agency recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Degree programs may be verified by contacting the American Occupational Therapy Association website or at their office address: American Occupational Therapy Association, P.O. Box 31220, Bethesda, MD 20824-1220.
• Certification. Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an OT.]
• State Licensure. Candidates must possess] a full, current, and unrestricted state license [ ], to practice occupational therapy in a state, territory or Commonwealth of the United States (i.e., Puerto Rico), or in the District of Columbia.

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:
Education, Experience, and Licensure.
Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 level and [directly related to the position being filled.
Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs:
a. Knowledge of evidence-based practices and clinical practice guidelines in multiple professional areas to use these resources to guide the program staff in providing clinically appropriate treatment interventions.
b. Skill in interpersonal relationships and conflict resolution in dealing with employees, team leaders, and administrators.
c. Ability to manage [resources] for a large, integrated service including not only occupational therapy, but also other focused rehabilitation, ancillary, or other health care services.
d. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with a group of professional staff.
e. Ability to translate extensive rehabilitation knowledge into cogent and useful policy in complex facilities and/or across multiple sites.
f. Skill in providing clinical and administrative oversight [and supervision of multidisciplinary rehabilitation programs in complex facilities and/or across multiple sites.
g. Ability to collaborate with strategic planning committees at local, VISN or national levels for new ventures addressing patient care delivery systems, facilities management, and system reorganizations.

Preferred Experience:
5 years of Leadership and/or Supervisory experience, preferably VA Knowledge of regulations and preparation for accreditation surveys, i.e. Joint Commission, OIG, etc.

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.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

• 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.