Summary

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.

Duties

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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 Physical Therapist to maintain advanced clinical skills and licensure, in accordance with VA requirements.
• Performs comprehensive physical therapy evaluations for a wide range of diagnoses affecting mobility, function, and quality of life, including but not limited to neurological, orthopedic, cardiopulmonary, and complex comorbid conditions.
• Monitors and documents patient progress toward functional goals, regularly reassesses and modifies interventions as clinically indicated, and appropriately communicates findings in the medical record.
• Provides clinical consultation within their scope to other rehabilitation professionals, medical staff, and trainees regarding complex or challenging cases.
• Serves as a clinical instructor or preceptor for physical therapy students, residents, or fellows, and participates in staff education related to physical therapy topics.
• 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

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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.
• Education and Experience:
  
  • Bachelor's degree in physical therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist, OR,
  • Master's degree in physical therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist, OR,
  • Doctorate degree in physical therapy.
• Licensure: 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: 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).

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 meeting the basic requirements listed above, applicants must meet the minimum qualifications requirement for appointment as a GS-14 Supervisory Physical Therapist.

GS-14

Experience:

1. One (1) year of progressively complex physical therapist experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in Federal Service. In addition, candidates must demonstrate all of the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below.

2. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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.

Preferred Experience: 3 years of Supervisory experience preferred.

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: 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.

Education

***TRANSCRIPT(S) MUST BE SUBMITTED IF EDUCATION IS USED TO MEET ANY REQUIREMENT. CONFERRAL OF DEGREES EARNED SHOULD BE PRESENT ON TRANSCRIPT(S). UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS OK.***

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.

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.

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.