Supervisory Occupational Therapist

Veterans Health Administration • Reno, NV

4d

About The Position

The Supervisory Occupational Therapist works within the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) service, overseeing inpatient and outpatient programs and supervising, planning, and directing clinical activities. The position assists the PM&R Chief in leading the occupational therapy department and managing professional and non-professional staff. The role combines an outpatient clinical caseload (75% of work time) with administrative duties (25% of work time).

The supervisor manages staffing, workloads, work assignments, employee performance, clinical privileges, and disciplinary matters. The position contributes to personnel decisions, labor-management relations, policy development, and short- and long-range planning. It also coordinates initiatives, participates in committees and projects, advises PM&R and executive leadership, and supports facility and VISN objectives.

The position collaborates with medical center staff, multidisciplinary care teams, community agencies, and other stakeholders to coordinate treatment, discharge planning, and continuity of care. It may provide occupational therapy to complex patients, develop treatment programs informed by current research, teach in the facility's clinical training program, and serve as an advocate and resource for therapy staff and the facility.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 0800–1630. Telework is eligible on an ad hoc basis; the position is not virtual. The full performance level is GS-13, and the actual grade for this vacancy may be GS-12. The position requires the ability to lift 30 pounds and pre-placement and periodic physical examinations.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, except where appointment of a non-citizen is permitted under VA policy when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Must meet an occupational therapy education pathway: qualifying bachelor's degree plus two years of occupational therapist experience; qualifying bachelor's degree plus two full years of graduate education in a related field; or a master's degree or higher in occupational therapy.
• Must graduate from an occupational therapy degree program approved by ACOTE or its predecessor organizations, including required supervised fieldwork.
• Must possess current NBCOT certification as an occupational therapist.
• Must possess a full, current, unrestricted state or territorial license to practice occupational therapy.
• Must have one year of experience equivalent to at least GS-12 and directly related to the position.
• Must demonstrate the ability to balance responsibilities, set priorities, delegate tasks, meet deadlines, analyze organizational problems, and implement solutions.
• Must demonstrate the ability to analyze organizational and operational problems and use data to manage workload, quality, and productivity.
• Must demonstrate skill in dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers, including conflict resolution.
• Must demonstrate the ability to use evidence-based practices and clinical practice guidelines and guide staff in applying them.
• Must be able to lift 30 pounds.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical examination and required background/security investigation; pre-placement and periodic physical examinations may apply.
• Selected applicants must complete the online onboarding process and required application documentation.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period.
• Male applicants born after 12/31/1959 must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Health Care Personnel must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Applicants selected for a testing-designated position are subject to urinalysis for illegal drug use before appointment.

Responsibilities

• Assist the PM&R Chief in leading the occupational therapy department and managing professional and non-professional staff.
• Maintain an outpatient caseload representing 75% clinical time and 25% administrative time.
• Coordinate initiatives and present findings at departmental meetings.
• Provide recommendations to the PM&R Chief on personnel actions, including selections, promotions, reassignments, retention, and adverse actions.
• Address employee grievances, EEO complaints, and unfair labor practice charges to promote positive labor-management relations.
• Assign and delegate work based on priorities and employee capabilities, monitor workloads, and hold subordinates accountable.
• Guide subordinates in problem solving, decision making, change management, and performance improvement.
• Recommend awards and recognize employees for good performance; complete and review subordinate evaluations.
• Provide input and recommendations for long- and short-range planning and assist in developing and implementing policies reflecting agency and VISN goals.
• Maintain communication with medical center staff to coordinate programs and encourage proactive planning.
• Participate in interdisciplinary committees, special projects, and activities, including planning construction and modernization projects affecting patient care.
• Serve as a consultant to PM&R leadership, executive leadership, and VISN on occupational therapy matters.
• Advise other services, programs, and top management on agency guidelines affecting rehabilitation therapies.
• Coordinate with other disciplines and multidisciplinary teams to support treatment planning, comprehensive patient care, and team discussions.
• Work with community agencies to facilitate treatment, discharge planning, and continuity of care.
• Accept additional assignments needed to meet program or department goals and customer needs.
• Provide occupational therapy and care for complex patients as needed.
• Develop or initiate treatment programs integrating outcomes and advancements from current research.
• Serve as an instructor in the facility's in-service clinical training program.
• Advocate for and serve as a resource consultant to therapy staff and the facility regarding occupational therapy programs and operations.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package available to employees and their families, subject to position eligibility.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior federal service or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior