Deputy Chief PM&RS (Physical Therapist)

The Supervisory Physical Therapist of 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 physical therapy interventions.
(2) Oversee the delivery of evidence-based, patient-centered care through direct supervision and oversight of PT 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 physical 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 neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, neurological, amputee, 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 PT, OT, and administrative staff; second-level supervision for all PT and OT clinical positions, including PT, PTA, OT, and COTAs.
(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 that emphasizes 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 #: 55824-F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Autghorized
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 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).

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:
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:
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/.

Full Performance Level 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.