Summary
The Supervisory Physical Therapist/ Therapy Section Chief (TSC) is responsible for the supervision, administrative management, and direction of the Physical Therapy (PT), Occupational Therapy (OT) and Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) programs at the Fredericksburg VA Health Care Clinic (FxHcc), a satellite clinic under the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) at Central Virginia Veterans Health System (CVHS) in Richmond, VA, a High Complexity Level 1 facility.
Duties
The incumbent provides administrative and clinical supervision of PT, OT, SLP and Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) staff in the settings of Outpatient and Home-based care at the satellite location and reports directly to the FxHcc PM&RS Section Chief. The TSC works closely with FxHcc PM&RS Service Chief and the PM&RS leadership of CVHS in Richmond which includes PM&RS Service Chief, PM&RS Director of Therapy Services, and the PM&RS Section Chiefs for PT, OT and SLP.
Duties include but are not limited to:
ADMINISTRATIVE AND SUPERVISORY:
1) Supervises the FxHcc and Fredericksburg HBPC therapy personnel as assigned by the PM&R Service Chief. Provides overall clinical supervision to therapy staff that ensures proper coordination and delivery of care within the therapy sections and the facility at large.
2) The incumbent uses data analytics software and programs to identify inefficiencies in clinical care, makes recommendations for improvement and implementation when needed.
3) The incumbent regularly and routinely assesses therapy section clinical and administrative operations and, with great autonomy, makes recommendations to alter, change or abandon processes to ensure efficient clinical operations and access of and for the therapy sections.
4) Provides detailed analysis to the FxHcc Chief of PM&R on clinical and administrative operations of the PM&R Therapy Services and makes recommendations to improve efficiency and results of those operations.
5) Is responsible for oversight of the daily operations of the PM&R multi-disciplinary therapy service. These operations would include Outpatient and Home-based care (through HBPC), Fredericksburg.
6) Is expected to have detailed knowledge of the Master Agreement, the VHA Handbook, VHA policy and PM&RS policy regarding administrative management of clinical operations and personnel. The incumbent Is expected to effectively interact with the Union and involved staff to solve challenges at the lowest level possible but to have the insight to involve the Chief, PM&R or other management or executive level leadership should it be deemed necessary.
7) Is actively involved in strategic planning and initiatives that support of the achievement of organizational goals and ensures that staff understand their role in achieving those goals and related missions of PM&R, CVHS and VHA.
8) Recruits candidates for employment, receives applications, conducts pre-employment interviews, and recommends appointments, advancements, promotions, or disciplinary actions.
9) Acts as a mentor to therapy staff regarding clinical and administrative operations and delegates supervisory/above full performance level work as needed to complete work and/or to provide opportunities for career development.
10) With a great deal of autonomy, makes decisions about clinical and administrative work assigned to therapy staff, analyzes performance, as needed, takes corrective actions, and recommends to the Chief, PM&R any accolades, incentives or disciplinary actions based on expert knowledge of VHA policies on such tasks.
11) at times, may be asked to serve on service, facility, VISN or VACO committees as a representative of CVHS PM&R, as an administrative leader and or as a subject matter expert in the Incumbents field(s) of specialty and/or subspecialty.
12) Assists PM&R Service Line senior management in planning, developing, and implementing strategic initiatives in clinic management, patient care, research initiatives and education/training of clinical staff.
13) Monitors clinical performance of therapy providers and makes recommendations to the Chief, PM&R, on actions that ensure staff are assigned appropriate work and workload.
CLINICAL:
1) This position is mostly administrative. The incumbent will spend no more that 20% of time providing direct patient care.
2) Evaluates and provides OT treatment to patients presenting complex problems using knowledge of OT principles and techniques consistent with current clinical standards based on OT theory and evidenced based practice. Knowledge is inclusive of physical, occupational, cognitive, and psychosocial functional deficits. Provides information to physicians for use in differential diagnosis.
3) Identify and develop goals and objectives for OT in consort with the mission of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service and the Medical Center.
4) Knowledge of evidence-based practices and clinical practice guidelines in OT and to use these resources to guide the program staff in providing clinically appropriate treatment interventions.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Telework: Ad Hoc
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Title/Functional Statement #:Supervisory Occupational Therapist/PD03184F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Requirements
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
- You may be required to serve a probationary period
- Subject to a background/security investigation
- Must be proficient in written and spoken English
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
- Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Personnel
Qualifications
Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.
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 Experience: 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.d.
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).
Loss of Credential. An employee in this occupation who fails to maintain the required state or territorial licensure and the NBCOT certification, both current and in good standing, must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment.
Grade Determinations. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates:
Supervisory Occupational Therapist, GS-14:
Experience. In addition to the GS-13 requirements, you must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
Supervisory Occupational Therapists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (GS-14):
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 a diverse range of 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 diverse 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.
References: VA Handbook 5005/127, Part II, Appendix G14 Occupational Therapist Qualification Standard GS-0631 dated December 13, 2019, Veterans Health Administration.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-14. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-14.
Education
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
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.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this
checklist to 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
- DD-214/ Statement of Service
- Disability Letter (Schedule A)
- Disability Letter (VA)
- License
- License to Practice Occupational Therapy
- NBCOT certification
- PCS Orders
- Performance Appraisal
- Professional Certification
- Resume
- Separation Notice (RIF)
- SF-15
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
- Transcript
Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit
Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.
Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 02/14/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12677910.
- To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
- Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account,
https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.