Supervisory Physical Therapist

Full Job Description

The Inpatient Physical Therapy Supervisor is a GS-13 Supervisory Physical Therapist in the Physical Therapy section of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) at VA Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS).

The Inpatient Physical Therapy Supervisor has full supervisory and managerial responsibility for planning, directing, and coordinating all aspects of Inpatient Physical Therapy Services at VAPAHCS and serves as covering supervisor for outpatient physical therapy as needed.

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: (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. (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.

See note below in Education. 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.

Non-licensed PTs, who otherwise meet the basic requirements in this standard, may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate PT at the GS-11 grade level under the authority of 38 U.S.C.

7405 (a)(1)(D) for a period not-to-exceed two years from the date of employment on the condition that such PT provide care only under the supervision of a PT who is licensed.

Failure to obtain licensure during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment. NOTE.

Individuals who have or have had multiple licenses and had any such license revoked for professional misconduct, professional incompetency or substandard care, or who surrendered such license after receiving written notice of potential termination of such license by the state for professional misconduct, professional incompetence, or substandard care, are not eligible for appointment to the position unless such revoked or surrendered license is fully restored (38 U.S.C 7402(f)).

Effective November 30, 1999, this is a requirement for employment.

This requirement does not apply to licensed physical therapists on VA rolls as of November 30, 1999, provided the individual maintains a continuous appointment and is not disqualified for employment by any subsequent revocations or voluntary surrenders of State license, registration or certification.

Loss of Credential. A PT who fails to maintain the required license must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment.

At the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may be reassigned to another occupation, if qualified, and if a placement opportunity exists. 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.

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. 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. Grade Determinations: GS- 13 Physical Therapist (Supervisory) (a) Experience.

In addition to meeting the basic requirements, one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs.

(b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1.

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. 2.

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.

3. Ability to effectively supervise, direct, and manage a physical therapy staff. 4. Skill in forging positive interpersonal relationships and conflict resolution. 5.

Ability to analyze clinically appropriate data effectively to optimize quality, performance, and productivity within the section. 6.

Ability to set priorities, delegate tasks, and solve problems in order to meet multiple 9 deadlines and identify/address organizational problems. 7.

Ability to manage advocacy roles and planning activities within the VA and the greater rehabilitation community. (c) 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.

Supervisory PTs are responsible for the supervision, administrative management, and direction of the physical therapy program in a rehabilitation service or equivalent service-level department which consists of three or more PTs or other multi-discipline staff.

The incumbent provides supervision of key clinical and training programs, including the overall technical oversight of the staff that He/she administratively supervise.

Supervisors are responsible for the development and implementation of policies and procedures to address focused clinical needs and the overall services delivered and provided within the section.

He/she demonstrates autonomy in performing supervisory responsibilities that include, but are not limited to, assigning work to employees, monitoring workload and clinical volume, reviewing work of employees to assure accuracy and validity of submissions, assuring adequate clinical staffing, imposing disciplinary measures, and monitoring clinical privileges.

He/she is required to provide overall clinical supervision that assures the proper coordination and delivery of care within the section and the facility.

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).

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.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: Reference VA Directive and Handbook 5019 Major Duties:

Duties may include but are not limited to: Provides the full range of supervisory and managerial duties for Physical Therapy staff, to include determining staffing needs; assigning and reviewing workload and clinical volume; developing performance standards and evaluating performance; recommending awards, promotions and disciplinary actions; administering leave; and monitoring clinical privileges to ensure safe and effective patient care.

Effectively supervises, directs and assigns work to the Inpatient Physical Therapy staff, Administrative Staff of the PT Sections, PT trainees and volunteers across a variety of clinical settings.

Provides supervision of all clinical and training programs, and overall technical oversight of Section employees.

Demonstrates knowledge of VHA human resource administration by performing the following functions: recruitment, interview and selection process, performance management including promotions and disciplinary actions, and monitoring clinical privileges.

Develops and updates functional and position descriptions for personnel under physical therapy supervision.

Develops and updates performance evaluation standards and utilizes them in yearly evaluations. Recommends promotions and performance ratings because of yearly appraisals.

Identifies and coordinates staffing needs by assigning cross-coverage to provide consistent coverage during times of planned and unplanned staff absences.

Conducts orientation sessions for new staff and volunteers.

Resolves serious problems that interfere with the delivery of PT services, grievances and complaints, and takes disciplinary action when appropriate.

Demonstrates excellent interpersonal and conflict resolution skills.

Communicates to the PT staff all Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service, Health Care System and VHA directives and memoranda; implements policies and procedures to comply with such directives.

Models effective personal mastery by prioritizing work in the context of multiple competing priorities, meeting deadlines, resolving work problems and delegating tasks.

Provides guidance and structure to staff therapists in applying current knowledge to individual practice settings.

Regularly reviews all clinical programs in the Physical Therapy Section to ensure that current methodology is incorporated in all clinics.

Provides coverage for therapists during staff absences to provide continuity of care in both inpatient and outpatient clinics.

Evaluates quality of care provided by staff by organizing peer and supervisory documentation reviews.

Displays knowledge of contemporary physical therapy across multiple settings including Inpatient Acute care, SCI/D, Polytrauma, and Community Living Centers, and coordinates delivery of care across these multiple practice settings.

Submits annual departmental budget requests and manages the department's funds.

Requests and managing contracts for registry therapists and assists with the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Administrative staff as needed.

Makes recommendations and assists with planning of new or expanded physical therapy programs and clinics, including space, staffing and equipment needs.

Develops and implements policies and procedures to meet the needs of such programs.

Monitors departmental workload and clinic volume and generate reports to support current staffing levels and new staff requests.

Develops and maintains productive working relationships with other Health Care System Departments, both administrative and clinical. Serves on multidisciplinary task forces as requested.

Instructs PT Leads, Clinical Specialists and staff in Health Care System safety and occupational health programs including Departmental Emergency Response and Infection Control Plans.

Oversees the PT Quality Improvement Program and ensures compliance with applicable The Joint Commission, CARF, VA and APTA standards.

Independently provides assessment and treatment interventions received through provider referral or patient self-referral.

Interprets findings from examination, diagnostic studies/medical tests, and drug evaluation, selects appropriate clinical tests and measures, and integrates findings into the physical therapy plan of care.

Establishes a diagnosis within the scope of physical therapy and identifies the appropriate intervention to treat and/or refers to another provider for further consultation when needed.

Practices autonomously, making recommendations and referrals to other medical services as clinically indicated. Provides Physical Therapy care in more complex cases and carries caseload as needed.

Adheres to departmental guidelines concerning patient assessment, treatment and documentation. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8am to 4:30pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 09938F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized