Deputy Chief- PMRS

DutiesDuties include but not limited to:Provides for the overall management of the Service. This includes interpreting administrative and clinical policies, developing and implementing local policies, defining administrative and clinical requirements, and providing advice to Medical Center leadership on related issues. Performs as the expert on administrative and clinical policies and requirements for the Service.Evaluates and monitors administrative and clinical activities and acts independently or makes substantive recommendations to the Chief of PMRS and Executive Leadership Team to make Service improvements. Provides expert advice and technical assistance to Medical Center managers at all levels and supervisors and team leaders within the Service in a wide variety of areas, clinical and administrative, related to the Service.Directs the personnel management program for PM&R Service, performing or overseeing the full range of human resources requirements. Acts as personnel management expert for the Service. Collaborates with the Chief of PMRS to redistribute the workforce, positions, and sections of the Service to comply with legislative or regulatory changes impacting the mission and goals of the Medical Center, VISN 6, National PM&R Program Office and VHA.Collaborates with the Chief of PRS to arrange for and participate in annual goal­ setting/strategic planning sessions, coordinates the development of the final operating plan, and conducts continuing evaluations at the Service level as well as the Medical Center, VISN, and national levels as it relates to the activities of the Service addressing patient care delivery systems, facilities management, system reorganizations or other issues and initiatives.Manages procurement and contracting for the Service and the Medical Center in projects related to the PT, OT, KT, ST, Audiology and Recreation Therapy throughout the Hampton VA Healthcare System. Determines when contract termination is warranted and initiates action as appropriate with the accountable Contracting Officer.Serves as the official PM&R Rehabilitation (PT, KT, OT, ST, Audiology and Recreation Therapy) Service consultant to all other Medical Center services/departments and provides expert advice and technical assistance to entities outside the Medical Center including those within VISN 6 and at the national level on matters related to PM&R Rehabilitation {PT, KT, OT, ST, Audiology and Recreation Therapy) in the various roles in which the incumbent serves.Communicates effectively verbally and in written correspondence with employees and customers at all levels of the Service and Medical Center; Medical Center peers and superiors; individuals at the VISN, National PM&R Program Office as well as other Central Office level contacts; and stakeholders.Serves as first or second line supervisor to individuals in the Service to include, but not limited to, supervisors, program managers, physicians, other providers, nurses, therapists, therapy assistants, therapy aides, administrative officer, medical support assistants, program specialists and other Service staff.Oversees the work of Service employees and ensures the accuracy of reports submitted by supervisors and team leaders. Identifies and implements opportunities for improvement and ensures Service compliance with clinical and other standards based upon professional journal/literature reviews, Medical Center policies, VHA Directives, Clinical Practice Guidelines and other applicable documents.Ensures Rehabilitation component {PT, KT, OT, ST, Audiology and Recreation Therapy) of each of the special program teams, Polytrauma/Traumatic Brain Injury, Pain Management and Amputation comply with Medical Center, VISN 6, National PM&R Program Office and VHA mission, goals, directives, practice guidelines and associated requirements.Ensures the Medical Center meets other performance measures directly affected by the Service including those related to traumatic brain injury, pain management and other programs which affect both the Medical Center and the VISN.Selects and recommends members of professional qualifications standards boards for therapy positions to the Medical Center Director and oversees the actions of applicable boards and determines when boards are convened for action.Resolves individual and group employee and customer grievances and conflicts at all levels of the Service and Medical Center.Uses their advance knowledge in rehabilitative sciences, services, and care provision and in evidence-based practices and clinical practice guidelines in clinical areas supervised.Work Schedule: 7:30am-4:00pm, Monday through FridayTelework: Not AvailableVirtual: This is not a virtual position.Functional Statement #: 000000Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not AuthorizedPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not AuthorizedPCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized
Requirements Conditions of EmploymentYou 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.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.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).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. QualificationsBasic Requirements:
United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.Education:
Master's degree, or its equivalent, in speech-language pathology, communication disorders or a directly related field from an accredited college or university and one year of creditable experience.or
Doctoral degree in speech-language pathology, communication disorders and sciences or a related field, from an accredited college or university.
Licensure: Individuals must hold a full, current and unrestricted license in a State, territory, Commonwealth or the District of Columbia.
May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).All Speech-Language Pathologists employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard (September 22, 2022) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:
Such employees, may be reassigned, promoted [up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. § 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.GRADE REQUIREMENTS. In addition to the basic requirements, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.Supervisory Speech-Language Pathologist, GS-14.Experience. In addition to the basic requirements at the GS-13 level, completion of one year of professional experience comparable to the next lower level.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience requirements, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

Skill to translate management goals and objectives into efficient service operations. Skill in providing clinical and administrative oversight of service operations within complex facilities and/or multiple sites. Skill in conflict resolution to facilitate positive working relationships between employees, team leaders and management.Ability to effectively collaborate with local, VISN and national leadership.
Assignment. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity and range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Service chiefs at this level are responsible for managing a unified audiology and speech-language pathology service or equivalent organizational unit in a large, complex or multi-site medical center. They ensure that services provided are of high quality and are consistent with contemporary and evidence-based clinical practice. In providing direction for a specialized and complex service-level department, Service chiefs formulate objectives and priorities and implement plans consistent with the organization's long-term interest, capitalizing on opportunities and managing risks. Service chiefs must demonstrate active problem and conflict resolution skills and maintain effective interdepartmental relationships to accomplish the medical facility's mission and goals. Service chiefs manage budgets, determine resource needs, allocate resources and ensure appropriate service productivity, efficiency and cost-effectiveness. They perform supervisory duties such as preparing personnel actions, performance management; planning, scheduling and assigning work; managing leave; assessing competencies; appraising performance; and recommending clinical privileges or scope of practice. Service chiefs ensure orientation and training programs are established for staff development and oversee academic affiliations, internship and fellowship programs.Reference: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G30, dated September 22, 2022. For more information on this qualification standard, please visit .
The full performance level of this vacancy is 13. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires mostly periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients/residents who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on stakeholder needs.
EducationIMPORTANT: 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: . 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: .
Additional informationDuring 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.
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. Help

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Review our benefitsEligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.How You Will Be EvaluatedYou will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.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.