Summary This position is located within VA Altoona, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Services (PMRS) and reports to the Chief of Staff. Incumbent is responsible for the administrative supervision, management and implementation of facility goals. Directly supports Service Line management and the Executive Leadership Team, and VISN 4 as an administrative consultant responsible for planning, organization, development, direction, and evaluation of its program affecting the medical center. Responsibilities The Chief, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Services (Chief, PM&RS) reports to the Chief of Staff. The Chief, PM&RS, is responsible for the administrative supervision, management, and implementation of facility goals of the physical medicine and rehabilitation program at the James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center, a Complexity Level 3 facility with more than 60 employees, five (5) Center Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs), and 14-county catchment area. The incumbent serves and is charged with responsibility over all medical and non-medical activities and workflow of Acupuncture, Audiology, Chiropractic, Home-Based Primary Care - Rehab, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Prosthetics, Recreation Therapy, Speech Pathology, and specialty clinics such as Amputee, Brace, Pain Management, and Wheelchair Seating and Power Mobility. Major duties include, but may not be limited to: Independently plans, implements, directs, and manages all technical and operational aspects of PM&RS at Altoona VAMC. Plans, develops, and implements short and long-term goals and objectives as part of strategic planning, in collaboration with the Executive Leadership Team, to ensure the provision of quality services to meet the needs of our patient population. Develops and issues direction and policy to clinic staff given the extensive scope of the specialties and the large multi-state geographic referral area. Oversees the resources of the service, coordinating the development and implementation of budgetary, regulation and policy, position management, space and equipment programs, and advises/ recommends priorities to the Executive Leadership Team. Prepares and submits reports as required; directs, obtains, and consolidates planning information from subordinate units; and directs / recommends action or adjustments necessary to achieve required objectives. Developing, providing, and coordinating programs for therapies and clinics, which include physicians, fellows, residents, allied health disciplines, and administrative staff. Maintains program requirements/ validation criteria for assigned organizations and directs supervisors and staff members to participate in cyclic or special evaluations. Performs other duties as directed. Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm, Monday - Friday Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 / Physical Therapist (Service Chief) Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized 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. 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). 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: 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: 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. 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. 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 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. 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. Grade Determinations: GS-14 Physical Therapist (Supervisor, Service Care Line Manager or Service Chief) Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level (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.). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Advanced knowledge of evidence-based practices and clinical practice guidelines in multiple professional areas. Skill in managing interpersonal relationships and conflict resolution in dealing with a diverse range of employees, discipline lead(s), and administrators. Ability to translate extensive rehabilitation knowledge into local policy development. Ability to effectively supervise staff by providing clinical and administrative oversight. This includes ability to manage resources, evaluate employees and assign work. 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. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005, PART II, APPENDIX G12 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. Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary but requires some walking and in times of staff shortages or absences, assisting with direct patient care activities. Work is performed in an office and/or clinic setting within a medical center environment; however, travel may be required to visit CBOC facilities and attend conferences. Telework is available via an ad hoc agreement, i.e., inclement weather or other facility emergency. 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 Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. 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.
