Experience Inc. Jobs

Summary The Section Chief of Rehabilitation, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Services has overall responsibility for supervising, planning, and directing inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation programs to include Speech Therapy, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Audiology, and Recreational Therapy. Responsibilities Major duties include but not limited to: Must be able to perform all duties of subordinate Occupational Therapists. Functions as a professional and technical advisor to clinical staff. Develops and implements occupational therapy care and treatment protocols using principles of evidence-based practice to establish and/or improve care guidelines. Assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates the delivery of all rehabilitation department staff. Identifies patient treatment and/or program problem areas that impact directly on patient care. Performs a full range of supervisory functions which includes interviewing applicants for employment, recommending selections, advancements, promotions, and taking disciplinary action when indicated. Provides necessary information to DACOS/ACOS, PM&R when appropriate. Monitors and manages staff leave requests and ensure employee leave is being adequately managed and correctly used. Continually reviews staff performance for conformance to established requirements as prescribed in legal, regulatory and facility guidelines, policies and procedures. Develops, plans, and implements and assists in the planning and developments and implementation of various treatment programs for all rehabilitation department staff. Assists therapy staff in evaluation and treatment of complex and challenging cases. Provides staff education and training as well as providing orientation to new staff members. Plans, implements, and directs the quality assurance activities of the rehabilitation department. Collects and analyzes outcomes data as assigned, documents reports as required, and shares this information with the DACOS/ACOS, PM&RS and other appropriate reporting channels within the organization. Collects and analyzes the unit workload data to determine appropriate staffing levels and initiates action as appropriate. Realigns staffing resources to facilitate patient care needs. Represents the service at meetings and committees as designated by the DACOS/ACOS, PM&R. Makes recommendations for equipment and budgetary needs based upon the needs of the department. Develops and implements policies and procedures for all rehabilitation department staff. Conducts regular staff meetings to communicate expectations, review policies and procedures, and to disseminate essential information. Coordinates clinics and provides administrative oversight for the on­site fee or intermittent employees. Assists in the provision of leadership to assure that all activities of the staff are closely coordinated in order to achieve an effective integration of the key elements of patient care, education, training and research. Coordinates and evaluates Service compliance to VHA regulations, Central Office directives, VISN guidelines, Medical Center policy, Union Master Agreement, Service procedures and all accrediting and regulatory agencies including but not limited to PM&R Policies and Procedures, Joint Commission, OSHA and OIG to assure optimal care of veterans, in the continuum of care and in a multidisciplinary model. Assists in the development and administration of a human resource management program for all rehabilitation department employees that maximizes staff performance and job satisfaction and supports labor ­management cooperation. Coordinates and allocates staffing patterns and position management that will support a high-quality rehabilitation department and demand for complex care, treatments and therapies promoting optimal efficiency and effectiveness. Consistently applying EEO and Affirmative Action Principles. Aides in the development and implementation of a budget management program that provides for the effective utilization of available financial resources coordinating appropriate alterations when necessary to accommodate changes associated with administration, science, education and research. Assists in the planning of an annual budget for subsistence, supplies and personnel costs. Providing for the effective utilization of available financial resources. Benchmarks against other VA facilities and the private sector to assure cost effective services and coordinating appropriate alterations when necessary to accommodate changes associated with administration, science, community standards and research. Communicates with and advises DACOS/ACOS regarding the status of rehabilitation department resource management. Regularly evaluates program goals and objectives to determine progress, efficacy and continued need. Reprioritizes goals as needed to integrate with those of the medical center, VISN and healthcare system. Seeks and assesses opportunities to reduce operating costs without compromising patient satisfaction. Assures compliance to prime vendor contracts. Manages the departments purchase requests processes. Work Schedule: 7:30am - 4:00pm Monday - Friday Telework: This position is eligible for telework Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment 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. 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. 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: Citizenship: Citizen of the United States (U.S.). (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a)). Education: The following education requirements apply to the recreation therapist, creative arts therapist (art), creative arts therapist (dance/movement), creative arts therapist (drama), and creative arts therapist (music): Recreation Therapist (a) A bachelor's degree or higher, from an accredited college or university, with a major in therapeutic recreation or recreation/leisure, with an option and/or emphasis in therapeutic recreation. OR (b) A bachelor's degree or higher in any field from an accredited college or university and must be a certified therapeutic recreation specialist (CTRS). The degree must be approved by the NCTRC. If hired under this education, the certification cannot be waived. Creative Arts Therapist (Art) (a) A master's degree or higher, from an accredited college or university, with a major in art therapy approved by the American Art Therapy Association on or before June 30, 2016. If the degree is received after June 30, 2016, a master's degree or higher from an accredited college or university, with a major in art therapy, must be accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Art Therapy Education OR Creative Arts Therapist (Drama) (a) A master's degree or higher, from an accredited college or university, with a drama degree program approved by the North American Drama Therapy Association (NADTA). OR (b) A master's degree or higher, from an accredited college or university, and must be a registered drama therapist (RDT). The RDT is granted by the NADTA and indicates that one has met the educational requirements and achieved competency in the practice of drama therapy. If hired under this education, the registration cannot be waived. Creative Arts Therapist (Music) (a) A bachelor's degree or higher, from an accredited college or university, in music therapy, or in music with an emphasis in music therapy. The degree must be approved by the National Association for Schools of Music and/or the American Music Therapy Association. Registration (1) Creative Arts Therapy (Art). Must possess a full, current, and unrestricted registration with the ATR. If hired under paragraph 3b(2)(b), registration cannot be waived. (2) Creative Arts Therapy (Drama). Must possess a full, current, and unrestricted registration as an RDT. If hired under paragraph 3b(4)(b), registration cannot be waived. Certification (1) Required Certification (a) Recreation Therapist. Applicants must be certified in recreation therapy as a CTRS by the NCTRC. If hired under paragraph 3b(1)(b), certification cannot be waived. (b) Creative Arts Therapy (Dance/Movement). Applicants must be board-certified in dance/movement therapy by the DMTCB. If hired under paragraph 3b(3)(b), certification cannot be waived. (c) Creative Arts Therapy (Music). Applicants must be a MT-BC approved by the CBMT. If hired under paragraph 3b(5)(b), certification cannot be waived. (2) Exception. Non-registered and/or non-certified applicants, who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for registration and/or certification, may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate recreation or creative arts therapist, under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B), for a period not to exceed two years. Applicants who fail to obtain registration and/or certification during this temporary full-time appointment may be terminated. The exception only applies to positions at the GS-7 and GS-9 level. For grade levels at or above the full performance level, the candidate must be registered and/or certified. (3) Failure to Obtain Registration/Certification. In all cases, recreation and creative arts therapists must actively pursue meeting registration and/or certification requirements, starting from the date of appointment. Failure to become registered and/or certified within two years from the date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0638 recreation and creative arts therapist occupation, and may result in termination of employment. (4) Loss of Credential. A recreation or creative arts therapist who fails to maintain the required registration and/or certification must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. e. Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA as a recreation or creative arts therapist, on the effective date of this qualification standard, are considered to have met all qualification requirements. 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, the following provisions apply: (1) Such employees may be reassigned, promoted up to, and including, the full performance (journeyman) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level, or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. (2) Employees who were 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. (3) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/registration/certification, that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. (4) Recreation and creative arts therapists who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements, in effect at the time of reentry, as a recreation or creative arts therapist. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency. Must be proficient in spoken and written English, as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Supervisory Recreation Therapist, GS-13 (a) Experience. At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: i. Ability to provide treatment in complex cases and work with great independence. ii. Ability to balance multiple responsibilities, set priorities, delegate tasks, meet multiple deadlines, analyze organizational problems, and develop and implement effective solutions. iii. Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems and use data to manage workload, quality, performance, and productivity within the service. iv. Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers, to include conflict management. v. Ability to utilize evidence-based practices and clinical practice guidelines in a professional area and to guide the staff in applying these tools. vi. Knowledge of organizational theories and strategies to positively impact the overall goals and objectives within the service. vii. Knowledge related to administrative functions, such as fiscal, material supply, equipment management, and clinical and program management. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. 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/. Additional Information Supervisor Leadership experience. Experience working in a multi-disciplinary Physical Rehabilitation environment. 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. 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. 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. 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.