Supervisory Physical Therapist

Full Job Description

The incumbent serves as the Therapy Supervisor for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS).

The work is performed in a regional acute care, rapid patient turnover facility, serving a complex patient population, for inpatient and outpatient, acute and chronic.

Serves with and for the PM&RS Chief as a liaison to the Medical Center by providing a comprehensive range of administrative functions.

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 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: 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 education requirements 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.

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.

Drivers License: A valid state drivers license is required as this position may require local travel through the use of a government owned or leased motor vehicle.

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-14 Supervisory Physical Therapist Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, must have one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level that consists of 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.

GS-13 Supervisors are also 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.

They demonstrate 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.

GS-14 Supervisory Physical Therapist Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs: 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 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.

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 at this level are responsible for the professional and administrative management of an assigned area in a large physical therapy service or a rehabilitation service with multiple therapy related disciplines, including but not limited to the Physical Therapy (PT), Occupational Therapy, Kinesiotherapy, Speech & Language Pathology, Recreation Therapy, and Blind Rehabilitation.

Supervisors manage staff, maintain effective interdepartmental relations, and cooperate with other services to accomplish the medical facility's mission and goals.

He/she develops performance standards, assures the program area is compliant with all regulatory and accrediting body requirements, designs and implements orientation and training programs for staff, and develops and maintains systems to monitor the performance of staff activities.

He/she develops local policies and procedures relative to their assigned area.

He/she is responsible for determining resource needs, allocating resources, ensuring proper utilization in productivity, efficiency, and cost effectiveness of the operation.

He/she formulates objectives and priorities and implements plans consistent with the long term interest of the service or facility, capitalizing on opportunities and managing risks.

Individuals at this level would generally be found at a highly complex facility.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: The physical requirements and work involve long periods of moving about the work unit.

The work requires regular and recurring bending, lifting, stooping, stretching, lifting, repositioning and transferring patients.

Incumbent may be exposed to patients who are combative, secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders and patients who require restraints.

The incumbent must be a mature, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, demonstrating cheerfulness, compassion, courtesy, and concern.

Must be quick and dependable in taking emergency action in using initiative to prevent accidents. The incumbent must be able to perform all activities of the position without restriction.

"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." Major Duties:

Provide direct supervision to the Recreational Therapy (Inpatient/Outpatient), VIST Staff, and Advanced Low Vision Clinical staff.

May also provide direct assistance to other PM&R sections/staff as assigned. Prepare functional statements and position descriptions for assigned personnel.

Prepare performance plans for employees under direct supervision. Collaborate with subordinates in preparation of performance standards for all positions.

Appraise performance of subordinates and take appropriate actions on results.

Monitor staff competencies and coordinate with service education liaison the provision of educational activities, accounting for diverse levels and abilities of staff training and clinical needs.

Develops new employee orientation and training specific to their respective areas, develops annual competencies and training, and tracks the annual training completion as assigned.

Maintains compliance and business integrity. Monitors productivity and efficiency and maintains compliance with the Director's Performance Measures.

Coordinates the assignment of volunteers and work-study students. Supports rehabilitation research studies and investigations. Participate in recruitment and selection of non-physician employees.

Promote EEO goals in all rehabilitation services, avoiding discriminatory practices. Contribute to the decision-making process in matters of personnel management.

Reviews and approves strategic and operational plans and follow through for implementation. Plan, organize and evaluate the overall administrative operation of the rehabilitation services.

Develop, implement, and revise policies and procedures in accordance with pertinent directives and regulations.

Coordinate with VISN 19 and Rehabilitation Headquarters regarding issues relevant to the function of PM&RS.

Assist the Chief, PM&R, in working out solutions to problems and handling unresolved complaints or grievances.

Collaborate with top management by serving in facility wide committees, special surveys, and Boards of Investigation.

Represent the Chief of PM&R when requested, at medical center functions, special meetings, and treatment teams.

Support the Occupational Safety and Health Program in complying with local and external requirements, such as IG, OSHA,JCAHO, CARF, incident reporting and regulations for management of information, etc.

Prepare and submit reports regularly, including labor maps, PM&RS dashboard report, Performance Measures report and others as assigned.

Monitor compliance with information and outcome measurement systems and other risk management responsibilities.

Analyze customer satisfaction information and make appropriate recommendations for improvement of services as needed. Utilize UDS and VA FSOD information for program evaluation and trend analysis.

Implement performance improvement plans, utilizing motivational and leadership principles to guide the services towards continuous improvement.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30AM to 4PM Telework: May be available on an ad-hoc basis as determined by the agency policy. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 542880 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized