Summary Come Join Our Team! The Associate Chief of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PMRS) functions with substantial independence, utilizing professional judgment to facilitate day-to-day functioning and support long-range goals of the Service in partnership with the Chief of PMRS. Clinically, the incumbent must maintain a current and unrestricted state license to practice physical therapy throughout employment. This position is located at the Salem VA Medical Center in Salem, Virginia. Responsibilities Duties include but are not limited to: Assists the Chief in the direction, coordination, and oversight of all administrative and clinical inpatient and outpatient operations within PMRS, including programs in audiology, speech pathology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, recreational therapy, music therapy, kinesiotherapy, PM&R physician clinics, and other ancillary/support services. Collaborates on establishing departmental priorities consistent with facility, VISN, and national VHA goals; supports integration of evidence-based practices. Contributes to the development, implementation, and revision of policies, procedures, and protocols to ensure safe, high-quality patient care and compliance. Provides direct patient care as a licensed Occupational Therapist to maintain advanced clinical skills and licensure, in accordance with VA requirements. Performs comprehensive occupational therapy evaluations for Veterans across the lifespan with disabilities or impairments related to physical, cognitive, psychosocial, or developmental conditions, with a focus on improving independence, safety, and quality of life in meaningful daily activities (occupations). Continuously monitors and documents patient progress, evaluating functional outcomes, updating goals and interventions as medically necessary, and ensuring compliance with all documentation requirements (VA policy, accreditation standards, and best clinical practices). Offers clinical consultation, mentorship, and specialty knowledge to other rehabilitation professionals, medical staff, and trainees regarding complex or challenging occupational therapy/rehabilitation cases. Serves as a clinical instructor or preceptor for occupational therapy students, fieldwork interns, and staff, and participates in professional in-service education. Assists in developing/tracking clinical, operational, and financial metrics; supports corrective actions to improve quality, safety, efficiency, productivity, and satisfaction. Collaborates with facility practice managers and other service leaders to coordinate PMRS interests and activities, maximizing performance in relation to VHA and facility metrics. Participates in recruitment strategies and onboarding of new staff; assists with mentorship and career development efforts to promote retention. Provides direct supervision to assigned PMRS staff, including subordinate supervisors, clinicians, technical, and administrative personnel, as delegated by the Chief. Executes personnel actions and manages reasonable accommodations, disciplinary actions, and resolves staff complaints in accordance with law, policy, and union agreements. Facilitates or leads education regarding new technologies, clinical practices, compliance, and policy changes. Ensures adequate coverage and timecard certification in accordance with VHA/facility policies. Fosters a respectful, non-discriminatory workplace, ensures staff awareness of related rights/obligations. Ensures PMRS provides timely, effective, and courteous service to Veterans, family members, and VA colleagues. Aids the Chief in preparing, monitoring, and managing the PMRS operating budget, including labor, supplies, equipment, and contract services. Serving as a member and/or chair of facility or VISN committees as delegated by the Chief; or represents PMRS on programs, workgroups, or committees. Collaborates with clinical and administrative services to enhance patient flow, care transitions, and cross-service initiatives. Notifies Chief of reportable events or circumstances. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:45am-4:30pm Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation. 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 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/or Experience. (1) The individual must meet at least one of the following requirements below: 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, 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, Master's Degree or higher in occupational therapy. Education and/or Experience. (2) 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. 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). NOTE: Your resume must include job title, duties listed for each position, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. 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. You must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-13, and directly related to the position being filled. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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. Skill in interpersonal relationships and conflict resolution in dealing with a diverse range of employees, team leaders, and administrators. 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. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with a diverse group of professional staff. Ability to translate extensive rehabilitation knowledge into cogent and useful policy in complex facilities and/or across multiple sites. Skill in providing clinical and administrative oversight and supervision of multidisciplinary rehabilitation programs in complex facilities and/or across multiple sites. 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. Preferred Experience: 3 years of Supervisory experience. 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. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for 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.
