Physical Therapist - Physical Therapy/Kinesiotherapy Supervisor - EDRP Authorized

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.

Major duties include, but are not limited to:

• Provides the full range of supervisory and managerial duties for Physical Therapy and Kinesiotherapy staff, to include determining staffing needs; assigning and reviewing workload and clinical volume; developing performance standards and evaluating performance; recommending awards, promotions and disciplinary actions; administering leave; and monitoring clinical privileges to ensure safe and effective patient care.
• Demonstrates knowledge of VHA human resource administration by performing the following functions: recruitment, interview and selection process, performance management including promotions and disciplinary actions, and monitoring clinical privileges.
• Develops and updates functional and position descriptions for personnel under physical therapy and kinesiotherapy supervision.
• Resolves serious problems that interfere with the delivery of PT and KT services, grievances and complaints, and takes disciplinary action when appropriate.
• Evaluates quality of care provided by staff by organizing peer and supervisory documentation reviews for compliance with PM&RS Scopes of Assessment, Accreditation Standards such as The Joint Commission (TJC) standards using quality assurance monitor, TJC requirements and other guidelines.
• Displays knowledge of contemporary physical therapy and kinesiotherapy across multiple settings including Inpatient Acute care, Inpatient Residential including domiciliary, Outpatient including specialty clinics, and Community Living Centers, and coordinates delivery of care across these multiple practice settings.
• Assigns workload to employees. Monitors departmental workload and clinic volume and generate reports to support current staffing levels and new staff requests.
• Establishes a diagnosis within the scope of physical therapy and identifies the appropriate intervention to treat and/or refers to another provider for further consultation when needed.
• Practices autonomously, making recommendations and referrals to other medical services as clinically indicated.
• Provides Physical Therapy care in more complex cases and carries caseload as needed.
• Identifies continuing staff education and training needs. Maintains competencies as required.
• Conducts in-service training programs for other services within the health care system as requested. Educates other facility personnel in the role and scope of Physical Therapy and Kinesiotherapy services and available programs.
• Keeps abreast of changing methodology in physical therapy by attending clinical education courses. Expands managerial and leadership abilities by going to classes geared toward skill development in that area.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
Telework: Ad-hoc Only
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 56736F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VHAEDRPProgramSupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
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.
• 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.
  • (4) 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. The Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT) is a non-profit organization created to assist the United States (U.S.) Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly INS) and U.S. state licensing authorities by evaluating the credentials of Foreign Educated Physical Therapists (FEPTs) who wish to immigrate and work in the U.S. Although the licensing of physical therapists in the U.S. is a right and responsibility of each jurisdiction, foreign educated individuals must undergo an educational credentials assessment for substantial equivalency to the first professional degree in the US. The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) is committed to protect the public and to provide leadership within the field and practice of physical therapy. FSBPT's Foreign Educated Standards Committee has developed standards that represent "best practices" in evaluation services. The Credentials Evaluation Standards were developed with input from the physical therapy credentialing agencies that are licensed to use FSBPT's Coursework Tool.
• Licensure. Individuals must 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. Individuals appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 7 4, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA must 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:

GS-13:
Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs:

• Knowledge of contemporary physical therapy across multiple areas of practice, and the demonstrated ability to apply this knowledge to provide clinical guidance to Staff PTs within the department.
• Knowledge of human resources administration, including such functions as the ability to interview and select qualified applicants, monitor and evaluate performance, and maintain effective labor management relations within scope of responsibility.
• Ability to effectively supervise, direct, and manage a diverse physical therapy staff.
• Skill in forging positive interpersonal relationships and conflict resolution.
• Ability to analyze clinically appropriate data effectively to optimize quality, performance, and productivity within the section.
• Ability to set priorities, delegate tasks, and solve problems in order to meet multiple deadlines and identify/address organizational problems.
• Ability to manage advocacy roles and planning activities within the VA and the greater rehabilitation community.

Required: Driver's License - Must possess a valid, state driver's license.

Preferred Experience:

• 3+ years' experience serving in supervisory/leadership role.
• 2+ years' experience managing a diverse range of healthcare services, including outpatient, inpatient, and CLC while overseeing leave requests, telework, and coordinating schedules to ensure seamless workflow and coverage.
• 2+ years' experience with employee relations and performance management, including handling performance and conduct issues, disciplinary actions, and effectively managing employee performance, productivity, and clinic utilization.
• 2+ years' experience HR personnel actions, including position management, recruitment, onboarding, and clearance.
• 2+ years' experience accreditation readiness, including the ability to ensure compliance with regulatory and accrediting body requirements, including interpreting and analyzing directives and policies. Develop relevant policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• 3+ years of experience in assistive technology, specifically in wheelchair assessment, seating, and mobility solutions for adults.

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-13.

Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting (Intermittent; 45 lbs. and over); Heavy Carrying (Intermittent; 45 lbs. and over); Straight Pulling (Intermittent; up to 5 hour); Pushing (Intermittent; up to 5 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (Intermittent; up to 6 hours); Standing (Intermittent; up to 6 hours); Repeated bending (Intermittent; up to 6 hours); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; Hearing (aid permitted).

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Accreditation Information: 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.

NOTE: If your school was accredited by Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.

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/.

NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

• 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.