Summary The Primary Purpose of the Position is: The Physical Therapist Program Coordinator (PTPC) at this level performs higher-level duties which consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and variety. The Organizational Location of the Position is: Program II in the Community Living Center (CLC), the Comprehensive Integrated Inpatient Rehabilitation Program (CIIRP) and Amputee Specialty Program (ASP) in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service in Dallas, Texas. Responsibilities Duties may include but are not limited to: Veterans are scheduled for evaluation considering caseload complexity and acuity of medical condition. Coordinates Veteran schedule with other interdisciplinary team members. Uses research evidence-based examination and evidence-based exercise prescription for more effective patient care. Treatment Implementation: Evaluation findings are used to develop and implement comprehensive patient treatment plans including objective, measurable goals, timeliness for completion. These goals are developed in collaboration with the patient, family and/or stakeholder input. Identifies adverse reactions and modifies treatment plan according to patient response to treatment and towards meeting established goals. Demonstrates a full professional understanding of selective therapeutic techniques and modalities related to disability being treated. Serves as a consultant within the assigned program area for intra-agency and interagency planning and to provide service coordination to optimize program continuity, efficiency and effectiveness. Administrative Program Coordinator Functions: Provides administrative direction and makes decisions related to the CLC and CIIRP geriatrics and amputee rehab programs. The PTPC is responsible for the coordination of physical therapy, occupational therapy, restorative nursing, recreation therapy and other interdisciplinary professionals for optimal clinical care and educational programming. He/she implements and monitors programs, policies, and procedures to meet program goals, policy and external accreditation requirements. Subject matter expert in geriatric and rehabilitation services, coordinates and provides consultation in the management of complex patient care and complex/difficult behaviors. Coordinates with screening team admissions for rehabilitation services and makes recommendations for best/most appropriate level of care. Coordinates, facilitates, and leads routine CLC staff training/education activities, therapist team meetings, and as needed Interdisciplinary team meetings (IDT). He/she monitors outcomes, participates in strategic planning and implements strategies for program improvement particularly in assigned content specialty area. Alternate Rehabilitation Coordinator for CIIRP. Lead Therapy functions: He/she monitors and makes work assignments, provides input on performance, resolves daily workplace issues and maintains efficient workflow. Provides clinical oversight of physical therapy, occupational therapy, kinesiotherapy, and recreation therapy staff. Is responsible for providing clinical practice guidance for other staff PTs and assist with problem solving. Assists staff physical and occupational therapists in determining treatment options for complex patients with multiple conditions. Lead PT is responsible for ensuring work is completed by distributing and balancing workload among employees in accordance with established workflow or job specialization; assuring timely accomplishment of the assigned workload; and assessing the status, quality and progress of work, and making day-to-day adjustments in accordance with established priorities. Coordinates weekend and holidays coverage and schedules. Triages consults and assigns patient caseload on a daily basis. General Administrative functions: Ensures patient privacy and confidentiality by following established policies and procedures (Privacy Act, Release of Information, HIPPA, etc). Protects printed and electronic files containing sensitive data in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, Federal regulations, VA statutes and policy, and VHA policy. Seeks clarification, listens and conveys information clearly and effectively, in written and verbal forms. Investigates and reports appropriately to complaints and takes effective corrective action when necessary. Education and Research: Identifies learning activities for self and others. Participates and contributes to the advancements of knowledge and techniques related to physical therapy via in-services, mentorship projects. Coordinates and conducts in-services for interdisciplinary team and other rehabilitation programs. Provides 2 in-services per year to staff members regarding rehabilitation and physical therapy services, techniques, and protocols. Participates in facility and/or service education projects. Develops patient education printed materials. Serves as a resource person to VANTHCS and the community in matters relating to Physical Therapy, the delivery of health care, and the needs of the veteran/military population. Work Schedule: 7:00am - 3:00pm or 7:30 am - 4:00 p.m. Rotates to cover weekends and holidays as needed for patient care. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 0000000 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. 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. 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. (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. NOTE: Prior to 1995 the terminal degree for PT's was either a bachelors or master's degree. In 1995 CAPTE accredited all baccalaureate, master's, and Doctor of Physical Therapy terminal degree programs. Effective 2002, CAPTE changed its scope of accrediting activities of PT education programs to include only those programs that culminate in post-baccalaureate degrees(eliminating the baccalaureate degree). Effective 2015, professional physical therapy education programs have only offered the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree to all new students. 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: 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. 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. 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. 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 Physical Therapist (Program Coordinator) 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1. Ability to apply advanced knowledge of contemporary physical therapy within specialty area to provide clinical guidance, training or education for internal and external stakeholders. 2. Ability to serve as a consultant within the assigned program area for intra-agency and interagency planning and to provide service coordination to optimize program continuity, efficiency and effectiveness. 3. Knowledge of and skill in management, administration and/or education methodologies. This includes the ability to monitor and track data, utilize available resources effectively, evaluate program quality, and generate reports for local, and/or VISN and/or VACO leadership. 4. Ability to develop and coordinate treatment and/or educational programs within a concentrated field or specialty area, such as, but not limited to, amputee, spinal cord injury, chronic pain, student clinical education/residency programming, polytrauma/traumatic brain injury. 5. Ability to establish and maintain collaborative relationships within department and with other departments or affiliated programs.6. Ability to guide the work of a multi-disciplinary team. Preferred Experience: Two or more years of experience in rehabilitation for acute and/or sub-acute setting. Experience performing chart review, evaluation and develop treatment plan for acute and/or chronic injuries with impairment such as; amputation, musculoskeletal, neurological, orthopedic, cardio-pulmonary, pain management, cancer, etc. Experience in performing direct supervision Physical Therapy assistance and/or Physical Therapy students Experience providing mentoring to peers and provide education regarding rehabilitation to others healthcare services. Leadership Development experience or project development. 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. PTs at this level have experience that demonstrates advanced practice skills and judgment across one or more areas of physical therapy. The individual may be assigned broad administrative responsibility. The individual is assigned a major content specialty area to include assessing, planning, evaluating and delivering care within a special clinical program or component of a Rehabilitation Service, which usually involves multiple disciplines. See the definition for specialty areas in paragraph 2. i, that includes Polytrauma/Traumatic Brain Injury, Chronic Pain, Amputation, Spinal Cord Injury and clinical education programs. PTs provide administrative direction and decisions related to the program. The Physical Therapy Program Coordinator is responsible for the coordination of multiple professionals from a variety of disciplines for optimal clinical care and educational programming. He/she implements programs, policies, and procedures to meet program goals, policy and external accreditation requirements. He/she monitors outcomes, participates in strategic planning and implements strategies for program improvement particularly in assigned content specialty area. The Program Coordinator supports the rehabilitation service and serves as a point of contact providing guidance to facility leadership on matters related to specialty content area. 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. Physical Requirements: Should have the ability to perform repetitive physical activities:- Up to 4-6 hours of the following: sitting, walking, standing, twisting, bending, stooping, reaching, reaching overhead, grasping and pinching with hands and fine manipulation, such as typing/keyboarding.- Up to 1-2 hours of the following: straight pulling, puling hand over hand, pushing, climbing and kneeling.- Required lifting light to moderate (up to 44 pounds) and carrying light to moderate (up to 44 pounds).- Required functional hearing with/without hearing aids, Near vision correctable at 13-16", Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, the ability to use both eyes, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors.- Use of fingers, both hands and use of both legs.- Sitting is required for meetings, administrative work and frequently driving motor vehicle most of the day. The ability to drive is required.- The position demands significant physical stress and strain such as transferring patients, crouching and crawling on mats, and occasionally defending self against combative patients assigned to the incumbent.- Work may require good physical health, normal use of arms and legs and good visual and auditory acuity, to evaluate and treat patients, and to use computer, keyboard, monitor, phone, etc.- Work is performed in the clinic, exercise areas, office, conference rooms, and occasionally in patient's home. 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/. NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. NOTE: If your school was accredited by Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the https://www.capteonline.org/programs website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. 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. 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.