Supervisory Physical Therapist

Indian Health Service • Chinle, AZ

12d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is in the Physical Rehabilitation Services Department of the Chinle Service Unit in Chinle, Arizona. The Supervisory Physical Therapist directs comprehensive rehabilitation services across Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Audiology, and Speech-Language Pathology. The role oversees strategic planning, staffing, budgets, facilities, equipment, staff competency and development, quality management, age-appropriate patient care, and community education and outreach.

The position supervises professional and support staff and manages departmental operations, including performance, workforce development, human resources, policies, budgeting, information management, specialty clinics, supplies, and front-office functions. It coordinates services with hospital departments, Navajo Area leadership, other Service Units, community programs, and external organizations; oversees staff and intern education; and provides professional consultation.

The incumbent also provides direct patient care within a qualifying rehabilitation discipline (Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology, or Audiology), including evaluation, assessment, treatment planning, therapeutic intervention, and recommendations for therapeutic equipment or appliances. The position requires a graduate or higher-level degree meeting the stated physical therapy curriculum and clinical requirements, as well as a current, active, unrestricted physical therapist license or registration and successful completion of the National Physical Therapy Examination. At the GS-14 level, applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower federal grade level. The role requires a one-year service agreement and has no promotion potential. Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized, and government housing may be available.

Requirements

• Graduate or higher-level degree that includes a physical therapy curriculum approved by CAAHEP or a professional accrediting organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained, and completion of the school's clinical requirements.
• Current, active, full, unrestricted license or registration as a Physical Therapist from a U.S. state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or a U.S. territory.
• Successful completion of the National Physical Therapy Examination administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy.
• At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower federal grade level, including multidisciplinary staff supervision and management of rehabilitation program operations, planning, policy, budgeting, human resources, performance and quality improvement, information management, specialty clinics, equipment, supplies, training, coordination, staff development, professional consultation, and direct patient care.
• Demonstrated proficiency, or potential to develop proficiency, in supervisory and managerial competencies including accountability, customer service, decisiveness, flexibility, integrity and honesty, interpersonal skills, oral communication, problem solving, resilience, and written communication.
• U.S. citizenship.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service.
• Successful completion of required federal background investigation and suitability review; applicants must submit required investigation forms within five calendar days of issuance and present two valid forms of identification before appointment. A state-issued ID or driver's license used for this purpose must be REAL ID-compliant.
• Successfully pass E-Verify employment verification.
• Set up direct deposit for salary payments.
• Meet qualification requirements within 30 days of the announcement closing date.
• Competitive-service merit promotion candidates must have completed one year at the next lower grade level; this time-in-grade rule does not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan.
• At least a one-year service agreement is required.
• A one-year supervisory or managerial probationary period may be required upon selection or placement.
• Selectees may be subject to a probationary period; ESEP appointees typically serve a two-year trial period.
• The position is covered by Public Law 101-630 and involves contact or control over Indian children; applicants must meet the specified criminal history suitability requirements.
• IHS health care facility selectees may be subject to employee health policies concerning measles, rubella, and seasonal influenza immunization; vaccine exemption requests may be available under applicable guidance.
• Applicants must meet the stated financial suitability requirement, including financial responsibility and satisfaction of legal financial obligations.

Responsibilities

• Direct multidisciplinary Physical Rehabilitation Services, including Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Audiology, and Speech-Language Pathology.
• Supervise professional and support staff and manage staffing, performance, workforce development, and departmental human resource activities.
• Oversee strategic planning, policy development, budgeting, quality and performance improvement, information management, specialty clinics, equipment, supplies, and front-office operations.
• Coordinate rehabilitation services with hospital departments, Navajo Area leadership, other Service Units, community programs, and external organizations.
• Oversee staff and intern education and provide professional consultation.
• Provide direct patient care within a qualifying rehabilitation discipline, including patient evaluation and assessment, treatment planning, therapeutic intervention, and recommendations for therapeutic equipment or appliances.
• Oversee facilities, staff competency and development, age-appropriate patient care, and community education and outreach.

Benefits

• Federal annual leave accrual of 4, 6, or 8 hours per pay period based on federal service; IHS may credit qualifying prior non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service toward the accrual rate.
• Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized.
• Government housing may be available.
• Potential eligibility to apply separately for student loan repayment programs through IHS, NHSC, or HRSA, subject to program qualifications, agency priorities, and available funds.

What This Job Offers

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