Supervisory Physical Therapist

About the role

This position is located in the Physical Rehabilitation Services Department of the Chinle Service Unit in Chinle, AZ. Directs comprehensive rehabilitation services. Oversees strategic planning, staffing, budget, facilities, equipment, staff competency and development, quality management, age-appropriate patient care, and community education and outreach.

A REAL ID will be required beginning May 7, 2025, in accordance with 6 C.F.R. 37.5 (2021).

What you will do

• Directs multidisciplinary Physical Rehabilitation Services encompassing Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Audiology, and Speech-Language Pathology.
• Supervises professional and support staff and manages staffing, performance, workforce development, and departmental human resource activities.
• Oversees strategic planning, policy development, budgeting, quality and performance improvement, information management, specialty clinics, equipment, supplies, and front-office operations.
• Coordinates rehabilitation services with hospital departments, Navajo Area leadership, other Service Units, community programs, and external organizations; oversees staff and intern education and provides professional consultation.
• Provides direct patient care within a qualifying rehabilitation discipline (PT, OT, SLP, or Audiology), including patient evaluation, assessment, treatment planning, therapeutic intervention, and recommendations for therapeutic equipment or appliances.

Requirements

• Selectee may be subject to a probationary period ESEP appointees typically serve a two year trial period U.S. Citizenship is required Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 This is a designated position covered by Public Law 101-630, requiring contact or control over Indian children.
• Due to this requirement, the agency must ensure that persons hired for these positions have not been found guilty of or pleaded nolo contendere or guilty to certain crimes.
• IHS Selectees that will work in an IHS health care facility may be subject to Employee Health Policies related to Measles and Rubella and seasonal influenza immunization.
• Vaccine exemption request may be available according to the National and/or Service Unit guidance.
• A one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period may be required upon selection/placement.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check.
• To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit ***
• You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you.
• Background Investigation Requirement: This position requires the successful completion of a federal background investigation as a condition of employment.
• A background investigation is a standard process used by the Federal Government to verify an individual's identity, employment history, education, and other relevant information to determine suitability for Federal service.
• Upon receipt of instructions, applicants must complete all required background investigation forms within five (5) calendar days of issuance.
• Timely completion is critical to avoid delays in processing or a determination of unsuitability.
• Applicants are strongly encouraged to prioritize this requirement and to maintain regular communication with their assigned Personnel Security Specialist throughout the process.
• Prior to the appointment, candidates must present two valid forms of identification.
• If one of the documents is a state-issued ID or driver's license, it must be REAL ID-compliant.

Education

This position has an education requirement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed, and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package.

Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: ***

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

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. Once the application process is complete, the first two pages of your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications.

Structured Resume Review: Subject matter experts (SMEs) will review your resume to determine your technical qualifications for this position based on the required competencies. SMEs will review ONLY the first two (2) pages of your resume. SMEs will not review additional information beyond your resume (e.g., cover letter, links embedded in your resume).

Once the announcement closes, we will conduct a review of your application package to verify your eligibility and qualifications. If you are found qualified, your application will move forward to additional phases of the review process. To ensure a fair and consistent hiring process, IHS uses a multi-hurdle assessment process.

Each "hurdle" must be passed before moving to the next step. This helps us evaluate applicants based on job-related qualifications, competencies, and experience. Below is what applicants can expect: ________________________________________ 1.

Minimum Qualifications Review - Hurdle 1 HR reviews your resume to confirm you meet the eligibility and minimum qualifications for the position (education and/or licensure (if applicable), listed above). Note: the first two pages of your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the minimum qualifications.

If you meet eligibility and minimum qualifications, you move to the next hurdle. 2. Technical Assessment (Subject Matter Expert Resume Review) - Hurdle 2 A panel of subject matter experts (SME) will review your resume to determine whether you clearly show the required specialized experience listed below.

Supervises multidisciplinary professional and support staff and manages rehabilitation program operations, including strategic planning, policy development, budgeting, human resources, performance and quality improvement, information management, specialty clinics, equipment and supplies, and training programs.

Coordinates rehabilitation services across hospital departments, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention programs, Navajo Area leadership, and other Service Units. Oversees staff development and educational activities and provide professional consultation on rehabilitation services, emerging issues, and technology.

Provides direct patient care within a qualifying rehabilitation discipline, including patient evaluation and assessment, treatment planning, therapeutic intervention, and recommendations for therapeutic equipment or appliances. Note: SMEs will review ONLY the first two (2) pages of your resume.

SMEs will not review additional information beyond your resume (e.g., cover letter, links embedded in your resume). This assessment is Pass/Fail. Applicants who demonstrate the required experience will advance.

Demonstration of these specialized experience statements ascertain your competency in the following: Administration and Management Leadership Medical Documentation Click here to view vacancy questions: ***

All documents above MUST be received by 11:59 pm (Eastern Standard Time) of the closing date of, 11/12/2026, to be considered.

Documents you must provide

• USAJOBS Help Center - Update your resume now so it meets new resume requirements.
• Resume: You are highly encouraged to visit the USAJOBS Help Center before submitting a resume.
• USAJOBS Help Center - Update your resume now so it meets new resume requirements Required as applicable for the purposes of specific eligibility and appointment claim(s), and position requirements: Indian Preference Applicants: If claiming Indian preference, applicants must provide a completed copy of the Form BIA-4432, "Verification of Indian Preference for Employment in the BIA and IHS Only." Indian preference will not be given unless a properly signed and dated form is submitted with your application, including any verification by an authorized Tribal Representative or BIA Official of tribal enrollment records.
• For detailed instructions, see form BIA-4432.
• Refer to BIA-4432 link: Verification of Indian Preference for Employment in the BIA and IHS When an Indian Preference candidate possesses Veterans preference the rules regarding Veterans preference apply under ESEP and the applicant must provide documentation in order to receive preference.
• Veterans Preference: If claiming Veteran's Preference provide a copy of your DD214 Form (Member 4 copy).
• To claim 10-Point Veterans Preference, submit a SF-15 Application (***) along with the appropriate supporting documentation.
• For additional information regarding Veterans Preference visit: ***
• Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): If you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP, follow the instructions below: ***
• Current or former Federal employee: Include your most recent SF-50 or if Reinstatement eligible include your Career SF-50.
• Noncompetitive eligibles: Submit additional documents to prove your eligibility to apply to this vacancy.
• Transcripts: You are encouraged to submit copies of transcripts (official or unofficial) although not required at the time of application.
• You must list your courses including titles, credit hours completed, and grades.
• Official transcripts will be required after tentative selection and prior to issuing an official job offer.
• Licensure, Certifications: Applicants should list their license/certifications on their resume, along with the expiration date, if applicable.
• Certification of licensure/certification will be required after tentative selection and prior to issuing an official job offer.
• The selected individual is required to obtain and maintain medical staff clinical privileges, including any licensure requirements.
• If privileges are not obtained or maintained during employment, the employee will be subject to adverse actions, up to and including removal from Federal service.
• You must meet the requirements of the job by 11:59 pm (Eastern Standard Time) of the closing date: 11/12/2026

What to expect next

Stay Updated with Text Alerts You can choose to receive text message notifications about your application status. To enable this feature: - Log in to your USAJOBS account. - Go to your Account Settings and select Notification Preferences. - Check the option to receive SMS/Text Messages. Text message updates are optional and provided in addition to email notifications.

Standard messaging rates may apply. You can track the progress of your application package via your USAJOBS account. You will receive an acknowledgement from USAJOBS that your submission was successful once we have received your on-line eligibility questionnaire, resume, and any supporting documentation.

You will be notified of the status of your application via your USAJOBS Account after we conduct a qualification review of your complete application package. You will be contacted if further evaluation or interviews are required. Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempt to conceal information may disqualify you for employment consideration.

We may verify all information you provide in your resume and questionnaire responses, through reference and/or background check, and/or verification of your education. If you are selected, you will be contacted personally by the human resources office posting this announcement. If all required documentation is not submitted with your application you will lose consideration.

It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information and documents entered, uploaded, or faxed are received, legible and accurate. HR will not modify answers submitted by an applicant.

Additional information

Financial Suitability Requirement: This position requires a review of the applicant's financial history as part of the personnel security and suitability determination.

Applicants must demonstrate financial responsibility, maintain good standing with creditors, and satisfy all legal financial obligations prior to applying.

Individuals with substantial delinquent or unresolved financial obligations-including, but not limited to, delinquent federal or state tax liabilities, defaulted federal student loans, court-ordered fines or fees, or child support arrears-may be deemed unsuitable for employment with the Indian Health Service (IHS).

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. IHS may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their directly related previous non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service.

This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. This position is ineligible for the Bargaining Unit. Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized.

At least a one-year service agreement will be required. Government Housing may be available. This position meets the criteria specified in pillar number one of the five pillars of the PHS Commissioned Corps.

PHS Commissioned Officers interested in performing the duties of this position within the Commissioned Corps MUST apply online under the merit promotion announcement indicated above in order to receive consideration. For more information on PHS Commissioned Corps, visit the website at: ***

The Indian Health Service (IHS), National Health Service Corps (NHSC), and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) have student loan repayment programs for qualifying health disciplines. This is a competitive process separate from the hiring process. Opportunities for LRP are based on agency hiring priorities and availability of funds.

For additional information please visit: For IHS - *** For NHSC - *** This position has NO promotion potential. You will be evaluated for this position in accordance with the OPM Merit Hiring Plan.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide short essay responses (200 words or less each) to the following four questions. How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government?

In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness? In this role, you will be expected to professionally and efficiently implement executive direction. Provide an example where you implemented leadership direction on a strategy or policy decision that differed from your own recommendation.

How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements? Your responses are optional and will not be scored. However, they may be reviewed by hiring managers and agency leadership (or designees) during the evaluation process.

You will be asked to certify that your responses are written in your own words and that you did not use a consultant or artificial intelligence (AI) tool (such as ChatGPT or Copilot).