Supervisory Occupational Therapist

About the role

The CBOC Therapy Supervisor is a working supervisor with both administrative and clinical responsibilities. This position is responsible for ensuring the safety and effectiveness of the Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy services delivered to patients under his/her supervision and care at multi-site Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC).

What you will do

• Appropriately plans work operations for the outpatient therapy programs, sets priorities, delegates tasks, solves problems related to work performed in the programs, and is accountable for the quality, performance, timeliness, and productivity of the Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy services provided.
• Provides clinical guidance to staff physical therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapist assistants, occupational therapy assistants, and health technicians in the delivery of therapy services.
• This involves careful planning, coordination, and continuous assessment to guarantee the well-being and progress of the veteran involved in the CBOC Therapy Program.
• Analyzes clinically appropriate data to effectively optimize quality, performance, and productivity within both programs.
• Monitors and reports on the status and progress of work, and evaluates the programs to ensure methods, deadlines, quality, and quantity standards are met.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skill in effective management and administration in areas of supervision, consultation, negotiation, and monitoring of program elements and subordinates across both disciplines.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skill in effectively managing a diverse, multi-disciplinary therapy staff.
• Demonstrates skill in developing positive interpersonal relationships and effective conflict resolution.
• Successfully collaborates with superiors, leaders from varied Care/Service Lines, other therapy supervisors, physical therapists, occupational therapists, health care disciplines, and subordinates to ensure efficient and effective delivery of quality therapy services throughout the CBOC and facility.
• Serves as a facilitator and/or negotiator in coordinating initiatives and consensus building activities among team members with widely divergent knowledge and skill levels, backgrounds, interests, and points of view.
• Develops, organizes, and administers Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy programs to provide treatment that meets the physical, mental, social, and functional needs of adult and geriatric outpatients referred from Rehabilitation and Extended Care Line providers, the Operative Care Line, and other approved providers.
• Independently assembles pre-evaluation data, interprets medical record information, reviews therapy referrals, and conducts examinations and evaluations of impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions related to conditions of the musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and/or integumentary systems, as well as functional and occupational performance deficits affecting activities of daily living, in order to develop and implement comprehensive treatment plans.
• Independently interprets findings from examination and evaluation, selects appropriate tests and measures, and integrates findings into the physical therapy and/or occupational therapy plan of care for the full range of patient populations, considering the effects of unique psychosocial and environmental factors.
• Demonstrates knowledge and ability to establish a diagnosis within the scope of physical therapy and/or occupational therapy practice, identify the appropriate rehabilitation intervention, and determine prognosis by incorporating examination findings with the patient's preferences to set clinically appropriate treatment goals and optimize outcomes.
• Develops individualized, patient-centered treatment plans with measurable short- and long-term goals and objectives, including scope, duration, and treatment.
• Recommends adaptive/assistive devices and modifies treatment techniques as needed, taking into account traction devices, surgical drains, catheters, immobilizing appliances, respiratory aids, or monitoring devices.
• On an ongoing basis, adapts and modifies treatment plans in response to the patient's reaction to treatment to better meet short- and long-term goals.
• Recognizes adverse reactions or significantly altered physical/mental status and reports to appropriate medical authority.
• Communicates effectively, both orally and in writing, with patients, families, caregivers, and healthcare professionals to facilitate the multidisciplinary treatment process.
• Works effectively as part of the therapy team to provide effective and efficient physical therapy and/or occupational therapy services to the assigned patient group, and assists the larger team of co-workers in providing timely services as indicated.
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday: 8:00am - 4:30pm.
• Holiday work may be required.
• Subject to change based on the needs of the facility.
• Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Functional Statement #: 580 - 02432F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• 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 (***).
• 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.

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: ***

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: ***

How you will be evaluated

Area of Consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order: Current permanent VA employees of the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center All other VA employees Current Permanent Federal employees of other agencies All other applicants.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC.

WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Documents you must provide

• To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: License Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Professional Certification Transcript Resume Requirement: Your resume must include the following information: Job title, description of duties, beginning and ending date (month/year) of employment, and average hours worked per week.
• SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Eligibility): Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee Examples of appropriate SF-50's include: Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.
• The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position.
• Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc. Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (VA) License Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Other (1) Professional Certification SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire.
• You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.).
• If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation.
• Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form.
• Documentation is required to award preference.
• For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.
• Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

What to expect next

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met.

After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center. NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service.

HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities.

HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities.

HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit for 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. 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. 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.