Physical Therapist (Program Coordinator)

Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. Open to current, permanent Department of Veteran Affairs employees.

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

Major duties include, but are not limited to:

Administrative Management:

• The incumbent must have knowledge of computers, printers, VistA, transmission and the planning of additional hardware and software. Duties also include involvement in planning Automated Data Processing (ADP) functions and telephone needs within the Center. Incumbent must have knowledge in and be able to assume the responsibility for formulating and administrating policies and developing or coordinating directive material implementing these policies. Incumbent assumes the responsibility for the day-to-day SCI/D Center operation, supervision, and administration, identifying areas requiring attention and recommending course of action to the Center's Director. The incumbent will provide support to REC ICC as needed and assigned. Knowledge required of orienting/training new professional staff members to the Center and to VA procedures and policies. Incumbent must be knowledgeable regarding policy and procedural interpretations of guidelines. The incumbent is responsible for developing short and long-range plans, conducting systematic reviews, and assuring documentation and reporting of Center transactions, activities, workload, etc.

Quality Management/Performance Improvement:

• The incumbent is responsible for assuring the quality review of records and coordinates these activities with the Performance Improvement (PI) External Peer Review Program (ERPP) department. Actively promotes PI and EPRP in the inpatient and outpatient setting. Incumbent assumes the responsibility in the development and implementation of the SCI/D Center Quality Improvement program. Ensures through monitoring, evaluation, and appropriate assignment of reviews that quality and appropriate patient care is provided throughout the service. The incumbent reports monthly to the SCI/D Center staff on PI activities, problems identified, actions taken and follow-up. The objectives, scope, organization, and effectiveness of the program is evaluated and revised as needed. Independently performs fact-finding reviews when indicated.

Budgeting/Financial Management Work:

• The incumbent is a Control Point Official for all SCI/D Center control points and is responsible for implementing and maintaining several contractual agreements that provide service to our veterans and service. The incumbent is responsible for authorizing all expenditures annually. Incumbent serves as the point of contact for these arrangements and resolution of problems that may arise in carrying out these contracts. Incumbent is the certifying official for invoices presented by vendors. Plans, formulates, and implements budget requirements which include contracting for residential treatment facilities, transportation, and communication expenditures, as well as miscellaneous expenditures related to the treatment of veterans in SCI/D Service programs. Monitors resource utilization, prioritizes needs, effecting changes in view of available resources. Prepares annual budget requests and must have knowledge in the development and management of budgets. Is responsible for analyzing workload, costs, and reviewing overall resource utilization using sound fiscal judgment.

Personnel Management:

• Directs the personnel management program for the SCI/D Center, performing or overseeing full range of human resources requirements. Performs the full range of personnel management and administration and acts as a liaison with the REC ICC and Human Resource Management Service concerning personnel-related matters. Provides advice and assistance to staff concerning Federal and agency personnel processes and procedures.

Space and Supply Management:

• The incumbent is responsible for reconciliation and administering of the Consolidated Memorandum Receipt (CMR) account for the SCI/D Center and for prompt reporting of excess equipment to Acquisition and Materiel Management Service. The incumbent is responsible for providing assistance for the procurement and maintenance of equipment and facilities. Incumbent must secure proper justification when submitting supply requisitions and is responsible for a system of documentation and control over signature authority for procurement and receipt of supplies and services. Incumbent is responsible for developing a program of equipment purchases with the goal of replacing equipment in a scheduled manner.

Clinical:

• Collaborates with Chief of Physical Therapy regarding aspects of clinical and administrative PT services in the REC ICC, including those conducted by trainees and staff.

Work Schedule: 07:30 to 16:00; Monday through Friday
Telework: Telework, if approved, will be on an Ad-Hoc basis only.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorize

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

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Candidates must be a citizen of the United States. After a determination is made that it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens, necessary personnel may be appointed on a temporary basis under authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 without regard to the citizenship requirements of 38 U.S.C. 7402 or any other law prohibiting the employment of or payment of compensation to a person who is not a citizen of the United States. Candidates must meet all other requirements for the grade and position concerned.
• 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: 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.
• 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.

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 Physical Therapist (Program Coordinator)

Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
1. Ability to apply advanced knowledge of contemporary physical therapy within specialty area to provide clinical guidance, training or education for internal and external stakeholders.
2. Ability to serve as a consultant within the assigned program area for intra-agency and interagency planning and to provide service coordination to optimize program continuity, efficiency and effectiveness.
3. Knowledge of and skill in management, administration and/or education methodologies. This includes the ability to monitor and track data, utilize available resources effectively, evaluate program quality, and generate reports for local, and/or VISN and/or VACO leadership.
4. Ability to develop and coordinate treatment and/or educational programs within a concentrated field or specialty area, such as, but not limited to, amputee, spinal cord injury, chronic pain, student clinical education/residency programming, polytrauma/traumatic brain injury.
5. Ability to establish and maintain collaborative relationships within department and with other departments or affiliated programs.
6. Ability to guide the work of a multi-disciplinary team.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

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.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• License
• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.

Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

• Cover Letter
• License
• Optional KSA responses (KSAs found in job announcement under Qualifications)
• Clinical Resume/CV (Can be greater than 2 pages)
• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Next steps