Physical Therapist - Physical Therapy/Kinesiotherapy Supervisor - EDRP Authorized

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Temple (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VHA) seeks a Physical Therapist at the GS-13 level. Applicants must meet education/experience requirements and hold a full, current PT license. This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) with eligibility determined by the VA Education Loan Repayment Services.

Non-citizens may be appointed only if qualified citizens cannot be recruited. Preferred experience includes supervisory leadership and knowledge of HR administration,

Qualifications

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens per VA policy.
• Education and experience: must meet at least one requirement (Bachelor's with 5 years, Master's with 2 years, or Doctorate).
• Licensure: full, current, and unrestricted PT license in a U.S. state or D.C.
• English Language Proficiency: must be proficient in English for direct patient care.

Skills

Clinical knowledge

HR knowledge

Supervision

Interpersonal skills

Data analysis

Prioritization & delegation

Advocacy & planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy

Master's degree in Physical Therapy

Doctorate in Physical Therapy

Job description

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.

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:
  • (1) Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist.
  • (2) Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist.
  • (3) 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.
  • (4) 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 must 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 7 4, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA must be proficient in written and spoken English.

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-13:

Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• 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.

Required: Driver's License - Must possess a valid, state driver's license.

Preferred Experience:

• 3+ years' experience serving in supervisory/leadership role.
• 2+ years' experience managing a diverse range of healthcare services, including outpatient, inpatient, and CLC while overseeing leave requests, telework, and coordinating schedules to ensure seamless workflow and coverage.
• 2+ years' experience with employee relations and performance management, including handling performance and conduct issues, disciplinary actions, and effectively managing employee performance, productivity and clinic utilization.
• 2+ years' experience HR personnel actions, including position management, recruitment, onboarding, and clearance.
• 2+ years' experience accreditation readiness, including the ability to ensure compliance with regulatory and accrediting body requirements, including interpreting and analyzing directives and policies. Develop relevant policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• 3+ years of experience in assistive technology, specifically in wheelchair assessment, seating, and mobility solutions for adults.

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-13.

Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting (Intermittent; 45 lbs. and over); Heavy Carrying (Intermittent; 45 lbs. and over); Straight Pulling (Intermittent; up to 5 hour); Pushing (Intermittent; up to 5 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (Intermittent; up to 6 hours); Standing (Intermittent; up to 6 hours); Repeated bending (Intermittent; up to 6 hours); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13\" to 16\"; Hearing (aid permitted).