Summary 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 are ineligible . Responsibilities Clinical Care Administration : The incumbent facilitates the clinical care administrative management for registered Veterans of the Amputation Specialty Program care delivery system and contributes to the fulfillment of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) mission and vision by providing leadership on matters affecting organizational planning, staffing, resource allocation, education, and patient care. The incumbent serves in a leadership position directly supporting the RAC Medical Director and PM&RS management team and contributes to strategic planning, organization, development, direction and evaluation of the clinical care programs. The incumbent works closely with the RAC Medical Director, but with a high level of independence, in the development of clinical care programs within the medical center. The incumbent is involved in the development and/or implementation of local policies related to the RAC, as well as policies that affect other medical centers that are a part of the Amputation System of Care, defining clinical care administration requirements of the Amputation Specialty Program and advising the RAC Medical Director on related issues. Clinical Care Administration : The incumbent is a licensed Physical Therapist and functions at the highest scope of practice while participating in clinical care evaluation and management with the Amputation Clinic Teams across the region The incumbent serves as Physical Therapy clinical expert during in-person and virtual clinical encounters consulting on treatment plans and providing direct patient care when appropriate. The incumbent serves as a subject matter expert for therapy services and functional outcome measure assessment The incumbent serves as an expert level advisor at various levels relating to therapy staff, equipment, space, physical plant and other material resources associated with the Amputation Specialty Program, and other related services. The incumbent utilizes advanced knowledge of evidence-based practices and clinical practice guidelines in the area of Amputation care and rehabilitation to serve as resource and guide program staff in providing clinically appropriate treatment interventions. Personnel Administration The incumbent manages the RAC Program Support Assistant (PSA) and provides direct evaluation and feedback to optimize the function of the PSA. The incumbent is required to be knowledgeable about HR processes related to personnel administration for the RAC Program Support Assistant The incumbent ensures that competencies are assigned and completed and that all appropriate personnel appraisals are completed in a timely manner. The incumbent understands and can implement processes related to recruitment, promotions, awards, training, disciplinary action, etc. Regulatory Issues: The incumbent serves as SME for amputation related CMS issues The incumbent is responsible for compliance of national VA Handbooks, Directives and Clinical Practice Guidelines. The incumbent monitors and implements regional compliance for accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), Joint Commission (JC), and Orthotic/Prosthetic clinical services with all relative credentialing organizations, e.g. JC, CARF, NCOPE, ABC, BOC, etc. and certification/registration, competency assessments, and peer reviews of all clinical staff within the region. Educational Issues: The incumbent monitors and implements regional education including via videoconferencing compliance of electronic workload capture, coding, pricing, recording of patient encounters, quality control and quality assurance measures, check out procedures, competency assessments, scope of practice reviews and progress notes of all clinical staff within the region. The incumbent serves as liaison between existing physical therapy schools and medical school affiliations. The incumbent may be involved in coordinating and developing continuing education programs. Research: The incumbent supports or conducts, coordinates and facilitates Amputation Research on a local, regional and national level. The incumbent collaborates with research institutions, both government and non-government, to advance the state of knowledge of amputation rehabilitation within the physical therapy profession Work Schedule: M-F, 8am -4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 72025-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact V8EDRPTampa@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized 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. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. 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 dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Qualifications 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-(Transcripts submitted): Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. Doctorate degree in physical therapy 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 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. Grandfathering Provision. All licensed PTs employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply (1) Employees grandfathered into the GS-0633 occupational series as PTs may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation. (2) PTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of this qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of this standard. (3) PTs initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration, meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard and must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. (4) If PTs who are grandfathered under this provision leave the occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation 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-14 Physical Therapist (VISN/National/Regional Program Coordinator) 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. Knowledge of and skill in management/administration, consultation, negotiation and compliance. 2. Advanced knowledge in the specialty program with application to interdisciplinary team function, goals and outcomes across multiple areas of practice. 3. Ability to serve as a consultant and liaison to local, regional or national coordinators and/or national program offices as well as other providers regarding the delivery of rehabilitation care within the specialty program area. 4. Demonstrates ability to serve as facilitator and/or negotiator in coordinating program initiatives among local, regional or national coordinators and interdisciplinary teams to improve quality of care for patients. Ability to evaluate, monitor and report on the status and progress of the specialty programs within the region. 5. Ability to develop and coordinate treatment programs within the specialty field nationally or within the region. 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. PTs at this level manage all aspects of a distinct rehabilitation program or service at the VISN, national and/or region level and are generally found at regional centers or assigned to the national program office in VA Central Office. This position would include but not be specifically limited to programs such as amputee, spinal cord injury, chronic pain, Prevention of Amputation for Veterans Everywhere (PAVE), Polytrauma/TBI. This includes policy development, quality resources and specialty functions unique to the program to optimize program and patient outcomes. The program coordinator is knowledgeable about facility, regional and national policies to ensure compliance. This assignment requires administrative direction and decision making skills, but does not necessarily require formal supervisory responsibility for personnel. Physical Therapists in this role are responsible for strategic planning to ensure the provision of high quality services meet the needs of the Veterans being served. They are also responsible for developing and implementing short and long term goals and objectives consistent with the program's strategic plan. Responsibilities include operation and management of key clinical, training, research, or administrative programs. He/she develops and implements programs, policies, and procedures to meet program goals, policy and external accreditation requirements at the VISN, national and/or regional level. He/she monitors outcomes and implements strategies for program improvement Preferred Experience: Three ( 3) or more years of clinical experience in managing veterans and active duty service members with amputation and polytrauma injuries. 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. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
