Physical Therapist (Program Coordinator)

Summary

This Physical Therapist (Program Coordinator) position is located within the Nursing, Education Service at the VA White River Junction Healthcare System located in White River Junction, Vermont.

Duties

VA Careers – Physical Therapy:

• https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY The incumbent functions as the Safe Patient Handling and Mobility Program Manager, under Education Services, and works with all services, patient, and non-patient care within the White River Junction Healthcare System.
• The position requires an individual with education, experience, and licensure (PT) who works independently, with general guidance from the Chief of Education.
• This assignment carries the responsibility for implementing the National Safe Patient Handling and Mobility Program (SPHM) as directed by VHA Directive 1611 (Safe Patient Handling and Mobility Program) for the entire VA WRJ Healthcare System, including all community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs).
• The incumbent demonstrates independence with ability to make autonomous clinical and educational decisions in a functioning patient care environment.
• The physical therapist independently develops and implements all the elements of the SPHM Program, working effectively with all services which include employees in all services, veterans, families, care partners and team members to keep both employees and patients safe.
• They will additionally educate and support staff on related topics, such as falls prevention, mobility assessments, and equipment selection and utilization.
• Duties include but are not limited to: Serves as a subject matter expert in SPHM and falls prevention, and providing information about these programs to leadership, service chiefs, supervisors, front line workers, veterans and caregivers concerning implementation, maintenance and evaluation of the programs and following all national VHA guidelines.
• Responsible for collecting staff injury data, investigating incidents, and providing leadership with best practices and actions to prevent staff and patient injuries.
• Assists with developing practices and procedures for SPHM services that are necessary to plan and direct the wide range of SPHM activities relating to the overall implementation and operation of the SPHM Program in a large, highly affiliated VA medical Center.
• Responsible for working with a wide range of services including but not limited to SPRS, Radiology, Spinal Cord Injury, Nursing, Geriatrics and Extended Care, Surgery, Specialty Clinics, Primary Care, Mental Health, Medical Service, Cardiology, Home Based Primary Care, and Telehealth in implementing the SPHM Program throughout the entire facility to enhance prevention of staff and patient injuries.
• Works directly with equipment vendors, HTM, FMS, and Logistics for procurement and installation of equipment.
• Provides leadership, development, coordination, expansion, and maintenance as subject matter expert in SPHM for SPHM Unit Peer Leader Program.
• Develops Ergonomic Assessment Program for SPHM ergonomic/hazard assessments annually and on-going in all work areas within VA WRJ.
• Collaborates within education services and with clinical nurse educators to educate all new employees and give awareness of SPHM Program.
• Provides hands-on competency training on all SPHM technology and equipment.
• Remains current with all standards and VHA Directives in keeping SPHM program in compliance with Joint Commission, OSHA, CARF or any other governing and regulatory bodies of the medical center.
• Performs additional duties as assigned Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 4: 30 pm.
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Functional Statement #: F08527 at the GS-13.
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required Notifications: This position is in the Excepted Service.
• This position is a Bargaining Unit position.
• This position is covered by locality-based comparability pay.
• Veterans’ preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.
• Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment.
• Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action).
• The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted).
• In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
• Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents).
• 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 examination.
• 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

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/.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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. Area of Consideration – Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order: 1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility. 2. All other VA employees.

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.

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document.
• This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted ‘Resume’ document upload field.
• Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the ‘Other’ document upload field.
• Résumé Reminder: Your résumé must include the following information each job listed: Job title Duties (be as detailed as possible) Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008) Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week).
• Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your résumé.
• Be sure that your résumé clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail.
• 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 (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) License Other (1) PCS Orders Performance Appraisal Professional Certification
• Resume Separation Notice (RIF) 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.