The Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service is seeking a full-time Supervisory Physical Therapist for the VA Medical Center in Birmingham Alabama. This position will supervise PTs, PTAs, and ICTs. This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment.

Duties

The Supervisory Physical Therapist will assist the Rehab Coordinator of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PMRS) (Birmingham, AL) in planning, directing, and coordinating all clinical and administrative aspects of a multifaceted therapy program at the Birmingham VA Health Care System. The supervisory responsibilities extend to therapists, assistant level and Intermediate Care Technician (ICT) personnel. Duties may include but are not limited to: Incumbent directs programming for the provision of functional, rehabilitative patient care programming provided by the disciplines of physical therapy throughout the continuum of care. Supervision and oversight require significant and extensive coordination and integration of a wide range of patient care programming, covering a broad spectrum of physical impairments, mental disorders and disease processes in inpatient, outpatient, home and community care settings. Incumbent possesses knowledge and understanding of treatment methods and techniques used in physical therapy. The clinical work involves planning and facilitating Physical Therapy treatment programs for patients with Complex impairments and providing therapeutic interventions to meet functional goals. The administrative work involves understanding the various therapeutic interventions given by all therapy groups and ability to effectively utilize senior staff when needed to help direct this therapy. Senior staff consists of professionals who work with a high degree of independence and have a history of self-management. It also involves the ability to initiate and complete multiple tasks during a workday, as well as anticipating and preventing treatment and personnel issues daily. The incumbent is responsible for the day-to-day activity in all therapy treatment areas and will reassign or shift personnel within the department as needed to meet the daily workload demands. He/she will oversee the daily scheduling of patients as well as the coordination of scheduling with other therapies and departments within the Medical Center as appropriate. The incumbent is responsible for writing and updating competency skill sets for all physical therapy and support staff. This may be completed with input from staff therapists. She/he is responsible for completing or delegating testing of skill sets annually in accordance with PMRS policy. As needed, she/he will be responsible for working with therapists to develop an improvement plan for any staff unable to meet the skill sets required which may include direct 1:1 mentoring and supervision. The therapy supervisor is responsible for updating and reviewing position descriptions and functional statements biennially, or more frequently as the need arises. She/he writes performance standards based on the position descriptions and functional statements and will conduct performance reviews. He/she initiates performance improvement plans and disciplinary actions in accordance with established human resource policy. The incumbent has time and leave official responsibilities and coordinating the schedule of staff leave requests and approval of the same. The PT supervisor will act in a consultative capacity to the Rehabilitation Coordinator of PMRS to recommend optimal FTE levels for the clinical services provided. These recommendations will be based on examination of service efficiency and efficacy. A significant amount of communication is required in this position and the incumbent will be expected to participate actively during regular staff meetings to communicate expectations, review policies and procedures, and to disseminate essential information and needed. She/he is responsible for submitting requests for expendable and non-expendable equipment and reviewing the equipment needs and budget with the Rehab Coordinator of PMRS. Is responsible for the monitoring and accounting of equipment assigned to the PMRS Service. Work Schedule: 7:30am - 4:00pm, Monday - Friday Telework: Ad Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: FS54596 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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. Education and experience. The individual must meet at least one of the requirements: (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. 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. 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 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 the all following KSAs. 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. Preferred Experience: Licensed Physical Therapist. At least two years of experience as a supervisor or experience in program development, clinical education and administrative duties preferred. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/99 PART II APPENDIX G12 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; heavy carrying, 45 pounds and over; straight pulling (4 hours); pushing (4 hours); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking (6 hours); standing (6 hours); kneeling (5 hours); repeated bending (5 hours); climbing, use of legs and arms; both legs required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; good visual requirement; hearing (aid permitted); mental and emotional stability.

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/.

Contacts

• Address Birmingham VA Medical Center 700 South 19th Street Birmingham, AL 35233 US
• Name: Kara Wanner
• Email: [email protected]