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 ineligible to apply. Responsibilities This position is the Supervisor for Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy at the Iowa City VA Health Care Center (IC VAHCS), which is administratively assigned to the Rehabilitation and Extended Care (REC) ICC and is under the direct supervision of the ACOS of the REC ICC. The incumbent works with other departments to assure services are being delivered to accomplish the facility missions and goals. He/she is responsible to assure compliances with regulating bodies including but not limited to Joint Commission. Duties include but are not limited to: -Responsible for the supervision, administrative management, and direction of the Rehabilitation Department in the REC ICC that consists of over 56 Physical Therapist (PT), Occupational Therapists (OT), Physical Therapy Assistants (PTA) and Visual Impairment Services Team Coordinator. -Responsible for supervising therapy staff in all settings including, but not limited to; acute care, outpatient, inpatient, tele rehab, Home Based Primary Care, VA Home Health Rehab, specialty clinics and over 10 CBOCs. -Provides supervision of key clinical and training programs, including the overall technical oversight of the PT, OT, PTA and VIST staff whom he/she administratively supervises. -Exhibits knowledge of human resources administration, including functions as the ability to interview and select qualified applicants, monitor, and evaluate performance and maintain effective labor management relations within the scope of responsibility. -Responsible for the development and implementation of policies and procedures to address focused clinical needs, and the overall service delivered and provided within the section. -Required to provide overall clinical supervision that assures the proper coordination and delivery of care within the REC ICC and IC VAHCS. Clinical Supervises and assigns work to PTs, PTA, OTs, VIST, aides, trainees, and volunteers in the delivery and/or support of treatment/services and education of patients and families. Reviews community care consults for appropriateness of therapy services. Coordinate scheduling to assure timely access to Rehab services. Coordinates with other sections and other services in PT/OT and VIST treatment, treatment scheduling, and delivery of care. Serves as a consultant to Rehab staff and other hospital personnel in evaluating and planning PT/OT & VIST treatment/services. Resolves problems that interfere with delivery of Rehab services. Performs all other duties/activities of a staff PT including evaluation and treatment of patients. Education Identifies continuing education needs based on performance of Rehab staff. Coordinates clinical training programs with accredited academic institutions that have signed agreements with the medical center. Develops and plans educational programs to include patient, family, and professional personnel. Educates other facility personnel in the scope of PT services and programs involving a variety of healthcare specialties. Serves as consultant to staff in research initiative or studies as needed. Provides leadership and coordination of national and local VA training for VHA staff. Provides consultation to VA medical centers throughout the system in rehabilitation. Administrative Performs a full range of supervisory duties that include interviewing candidates, recommending appointments, advancements, and promotions, and taking disciplinary action when indicated. Contributes to the development and completion of performance evaluations for the Rehab staff at the Iowa City VA Medical Center. Organizes and supervises the Rehab section. Guides and manages clinics in respect to training, work assignments, performance, conduct, and patient welfare. Provides orientation and training of new staff members. Conducts department meetings and/or in-services on a regular basis to expand the knowledge and disseminate appropriate information to Rehab staff. Ensures consults are handled in the most expeditious manner based upon acuity of need. Organizes and supervises the Rehab department. Guides and manages clinics in respect to training, work assignments, performance, conduct, and patient welfare. Assigns patient load and clinical duties to ensure work priorities are accomplished and consult completion per medical center and service line guidelines. Reviews/approves scheduled leave/staff absences to provide adequate staffing. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Full-Time, 07:30am - 4pm or 08:00am - 4:30pm, Monday - Friday Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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 trial 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. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). 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 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. Education: Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist; OR Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist; OR Doctorate degree in physical therapy. 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. NOTE: Individuals must be a graduate of a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredited college or university. Applicants must include a copy of their transcript(s). 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). All licensed PTs 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. Grade Determinations: GS-14 Supervisory Physical Therapist (Service Care Line Manager) Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the KSAs required at the full performance level, the following KSAs are required: (a) Advanced knowledge of evidence-based practices and clinical practice guidelines in multiple professional areas. (b) Skill in managing interpersonal relationships and conflict resolution in dealing with a range of employees, discipline lead(s), and administrators. (c) Ability to translate extensive rehabilitation knowledge into local policy development. (d) Ability to effectively supervise staff by providing clinical and administrative oversight. This includes ability to manage resources, evaluate employees and assign work. (e) 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. 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: Pre-placement and periodic physical examinations are required for hybrid occupations to ensure workers are placed in positions where they can perform the essential functions of their job considering their physical, mental and emotional capacities, without endangering their health or the health of their co-workers. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. The incumbent of the position will meet and maintain physical and drug test program requirements for the position as required. There will be periods of walking and ambulating patients, providing patient transfers, some lifting of 15-44 pounds and supporting patients. Education A transcript must be submitted with your application. 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 The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the @context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. 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.
