Deputy Chief- PMRS (Kinesiotherapist)

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: Bachelor’s degree [or higher from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Program, with a concentration/emphasis in kinesiotherapy. OR Bachelor’s degree or higher with a concentration/emphasis in kinesiotherapy or exercise science related field and registered as a kinesiotherapist in good standing with the COPSKT. OR Master’s degree or higher with a degree in exercise science, kinesiology, human performance or a related field, which has been approved by COPSKT and a certificate verifying completion of a Center of Excellence (COE)Kinesiotherapy clinical training program. The completion of the certificate ensures that COPSKT has approved the degree program as part of the application process for the COE internship. Foreign Graduates. Graduates of a foreign program must meet the requirements in subparagraph 3b if they have a full unrestricted and current registration to practice kinesiotherapy in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States or in the District of Columbia. They must have at a minimum, proof of a degree from an accredited college or university (or foreign equivalent, as verified through an independent credentialing evaluation company). Registration: All applicants must be registered in kinesiotherapy in good standing with the COPSKT. 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). All persons employed in VHA [as a Kinesiotherapist on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Such employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journeyman) level, or [changed to a lower grade] within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard, may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or license/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard, must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. Kinesiotherapists who are converted to title 38 hybrid status] under this provision, and subsequently leave the occupation, will lose their protected status, and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation GRADE REQUIREMENTS. In addition to the basic requirements, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade and assignment of candidates. Supervisory Kinesiotherapist, GS-14 Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Skill in effectively motivating and managing a diverse clinical staff applicable to service level department in a large, complex, or multi-division facility, including inherent strategic planning and fiscal management. Ability to supervise/manage, plan, organize, delegate, direct, control, and review the activities of subordinate groups that have diverse functions, establish and monitor productivity standards and production groups and performance priorities. Knowledge of the management principles required to establish program goals and objectives, set strategic direction, plan and manage budgets to administer a program, coordinate associated activities, evaluate program accomplishments, redefine priorities, and modify objectives. Knowledge of reconciling contradictory requirements based upon regulations and standards of various regulatory, medical or other professional credentialing groups. Knowledge of pertinent analytical and evaluative methods sufficient to analyze complex issues and provide workable solutions and alternative solutions to executive leadership that supports timely and sound decision making. Assignment. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety ,and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. An individual in this assignment manages multi-disciplinary sections within the medical center that provide rehabilitative services which include but are not limited to kinesiotherapy ,physical therapy, occupational therapy, etc.. The work is considered to be technically authoritative. The service chief has broad and overall responsibility for the service-level department. The service chief has full responsibility for clinical practice, program management, fiscal management, education, human resources management, and supervision for the service. Autonomously manage substantive parts of specialized, complex, professional services which significantly impact the care provided to patients. Provide leadership with objective, independent assessments and recommendations for policy, operational and administrative issues and initiatives requiring decision and action. Service chiefs monitor work performance to ensure production and accuracy requirements are satisfied. Interpret a wide variety of data and process data related to program planning and specialized needs of the service line and medical center. Ensure policies or projects have been fully coordinated, vetted and staffed. Advise leadership on implications, key issues, relationship to interest groups, both internal and external, and recommend courses of action. The service chief coordinates and negotiates resolutions to complex problems. Prepares special reports and responses, congressional responses, briefing papers, issue briefs, and decision papers for the medical center leadership, which may be highly sensitive ,confidential, and of a complex nature as requested. Negotiates affiliation agreements with academic partners, sets training objectives, and delegates responsibilities to subordinate section. Reference: VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G21, dated June 16, 2020. For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is 13. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires mostly periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients/residents who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on stakeholder needs.
Serves as a Deputy Chief, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) Service at the Hampton VA Medical Center which includes oversight, planning and development of all Service functions and programs. The incumbent will plan, direct, and coordinate all aspects of a multifaceted, complex service which includes Administrative, Physiatry, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Kinesiotherapy, Speech therapy, Audiology, Pain Management, Traumatic Brain lnjury /Polytrauma, and Amputee Services.