Physical Therapist (Program Coordinator)

<p>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.</p><h3>Major Duties</h3><p>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.</p><h3>Requirements</h3>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.<h3>Education</h3>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/.