Physical Therapist (Service Chief)

Physical Therapist (Service Chief)

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Location(s): Altoona, Pennsylvania

Salary Range: $125776 - $163514 Per Year

Job Summary: This position is located within VA Altoona, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Services (PMRS) and reports to the Chief of Staff. Incumbent is responsible for the administrative supervision, management and implementation of facility goals. Directly supports Service Line management and the Executive Leadership Team, and VISN 4 as an administrative consultant responsible for planning, organization, development, direction, and evaluation of its program affecting the medical center.

Major Duties:

• The Chief, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Services (Chief, PM&RS) reports to the Chief of Staff. The Chief, PM&RS, is responsible for the administrative supervision, management, and implementation of facility goals of the physical medicine and rehabilitation program at the James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center, a Complexity Level 3 facility with more than 60 employees, five (5) Center Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs), and 14-county catchment area. The incumbent serves and is charged with responsibility over all medical and non-medical activities and workflow of Acupuncture, Audiology, Chiropractic, Home-Based Primary Care - Rehab, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Prosthetics, Recreation Therapy, Speech Pathology, and specialty clinics such as Amputee, Brace, Pain Management, and Wheelchair Seating and Power Mobility. Major duties include, but may not be limited to: Independently plans, implements, directs, and manages all technical and operational aspects of PM&RS at Altoona VAMC. Plans, develops, and implements short and long-term goals and objectives as part of strategic planning, in collaboration with the Executive Leadership Team, to ensure the provision of quality services to meet the needs of our patient population. Develops and issues direction and policy to clinic staff given the extensive scope of the specialties and the large multi-state geographic referral area. Oversees the resources of the service, coordinating the development and implementation of budgetary, regulation and policy, position management, space and equipment programs, and advises/ recommends priorities to the Executive Leadership Team. Prepares and submits reports as required; directs, obtains, and consolidates planning information from subordinate units; and directs / recommends action or adjustments necessary to achieve required objectives. Developing, providing, and coordinating programs for therapies and clinics, which include physicians, fellows, residents, allied health disciplines, and administrative staff. Maintains program requirements/ validation criteria for assigned organizations and directs supervisors and staff members to participate in cyclic or special evaluations. Performs other duties as directed. Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm, Monday - Friday Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 / Physical Therapist (Service Chief) Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

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: 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: 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. 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 requirements in subparagraph 3b 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. The Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT) is a non-profit organization created to assist the United States (U.S.) Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly INS) and U.S. state licensing authorities by evaluating the credentials of Foreign Educated Physical Therapists (FEPTs) who wish to immigrate and work in the U.S. Although the licensing of physical therapists in the U.S. is a right and responsibility of each jurisdiction, foreign educated individuals must undergo an educational credentials assessment for substantial equivalency to the first professional degree in the US. The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) is committed to protect the public and to provide leadership within the field and practice of physical therapy. FSBPT's Foreign Educated Standards Committee has developed standards that represent "best practices" in evaluation services. The Credentials Evaluation Standards were developed with input from the physical therapy credentialing agencies that are licensed to use FSBPT's Coursework Tool. 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. See Chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Grade Determinations: GS-14 Physical Therapist (Supervisor, Service Care Line Manager or Service Chief) Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level (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.). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 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 diverse 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. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005, PART II, APPENDIX G12 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: The work is primarily sedentary but requires some walking and in times of staff shortages or absences, assisting with direct patient care activities. Work is performed in an office and/or clinic setting within a medical center environment; however, travel may be required to visit CBOC facilities and attend conferences. Telework is available via an ad hoc agreement, i.e., inclement weather or other facility emergency.

How to Apply: All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 01/21/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12861284. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

Application Deadline: 2026-01-21