Summary The Lead Physical Therapist will coordinate workflow and clinical activities as well as monitor data reports within physical therapy section to ensure optimal patient care. They will communicate to the clinical team the assignment, project, problem to be solved, actionable events, and objectives, as well as to advise on work methods, practices, and procedures. The Lead PT will demonstrate advanced skill to serve as mentor and coach of the clinical team. Responsibilities VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY The duties of this position include but are not limited to the following: Advise on work methods, practices and procedures and will be responsible for assuring timely accomplishment of workload by assessing the status, quality, and progress of patient care. Coordinate clinical activities as well as monitor data reports to ensure optimal efficiency and management of clinical care. Make day-to-day adjustments, provide input on performance, provide clinical practice guidance, and ensure work is completed and workload is balanced. Assist with new staff orientation and staff training and development. Interpret findings from examination, diagnostic studies/medical tests and, during evaluation, select appropriate clinical tests and measures, and then integrate findings into the physical therapy plan of care for the full range of patient populations. Establish a diagnosis within the scope of physical therapy and identify the appropriate intervention to treat and/or refer to another provider for further consultation when needed. Determine physical therapy prognosis by incorporating examination findings with the patient's preferences for meaningful level of function in order to set clinically appropriate treatment goals and optimize outcomes. Select appropriate equipment needed to substitute for loss of function or to substitute for limited function of individuals they treat. Develops and initiates new treatment programs which apply current Physical Therapy practice and research findings as needed or indicated by the patient population being served. Treats patients using standardized and recognized assessments and treatment modalities. Works cooperatively with other specialties to provide seamless rehabilitation treatment for patients who may require interdisciplinary and complex care. Documents appropriately and in a timely manner in patient's electronic medical record (CPRS). Provides patient/family education as needed. Independently provide clinical oversight of Physical Therapy Assistants as well as students on clinical affiliations who are in Doctoral PT Programs or PTA Programs. Assigns and supervises subordinate Physical Therapy staff, trainees, and volunteers in the delivery or support of treatment and education to patients and caregivers. Participates in PM&R in-services and provides in-services to PM&R staff and other facility staff as assigned by their direct supervisor or the Chief of PM&R. Participates in performance improvement monitoring including the formulation of monitors, data collections, peer reviews, and preparation of reports in accordance with VA and Joint Commission guidelines. Schedules patient visits to ensure quality Physical Therapy treatments are delivered most efficiently and effectively. Documents evaluations, goals, treatment plans, and rehabilitation potential, using standard format in patient's medical record as required by PM&R, The Joint Commission, and VA CT Healthcare System standards. Ensures that subordinate Physical Therapy staff and trainees maintain appropriate documentation. Acts as a consultant/subject matter expert for PM&RS staff and other facility staff. Work Schedule: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PD689-F04371 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements 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. You may be required to serve a probationary period. 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 dentification 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). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications 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: 1) Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. OR 2) Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. OR 3) Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy. Grandfathering Provision: 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-12 Lead Physical Therapist : In addition to the basic requirements for education, candidates must possess one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level, must hold a valid unrestricted state license and demonstrate all the KSAs below. Experience: examples of this experience include but are not limited to : provide assessment and treatment intervention; plan and modify treatment based on a patient's response to intervention and/or change in medical condition; serve as the sole PT such as in an outpatient clinic ; provide oversight and delegate patient care responsibilities to a Physical Therapist Assistant, and/or delegate non-patient care duties to non-licensed staff. Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities: Ability to coordinate workflow and clinical activities as well as monitor data reports within physical therapy section to ensure optimal patient care. Ability to articulate and communicate to the clinical team the assignment, project, problem to be solved, actionable events, and objectives, as well as to advise on work methods practices and procedures. Ability to provide new staff orientation, staff development, and training. Demonstrates advanced skill to serve as mentor and coach of the clinical team. Ability to manage staffing requirements and priorities, and coordinate work in order to complete duties in an accurate and timely manner. This includes the ability to follow-up on pending issues and demonstrating an understanding of the impact of incomplete work. Preferred Experience: Leadership Experience Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Promotion Potential: The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing or walking, frequent bending, reaching, stooping and stretching, lifting and pushing or pulling objects. 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/. 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. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. 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.