Supervisory Physical Therapist

Indian Health ServiceChinle, Arizonausajobspublished 10/23/2026

About the company

This position is located in the Physical Rehabilitation Services Department of the Chinle Service Unit in Chinle, AZ. Directs comprehensive rehabilitation services. Oversees strategic planning, staffing, budget, facilities, equipment, staff competency and development, quality management, age-appropriate patient care, and community education and outreach. A REAL ID will be required beginning May 7, 2025, in accordance with 6 C.F.R. 37.5 (2021).

Your tasks

Directs multidisciplinary Physical Rehabilitation Services encompassing Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Audiology, and Speech-Language Pathology. Supervises professional and support staff and manages staffing, performance, workforce development, and departmental human resource activities. Oversees strategic planning, policy development, budgeting, quality and performance improvement, information management, specialty clinics, equipment, supplies, and front-office operations. Coordinates rehabilitation services with hospital departments, Navajo Area leadership, other Service Units, community programs, and external organizations; oversees staff and intern education and provides professional consultation. Provides direct patient care within a qualifying rehabilitation discipline (PT, OT, SLP, or Audiology), including patient evaluation, assessment, treatment planning, therapeutic intervention, and recommendations for therapeutic equipment or appliances.

GS-14: Supervises multidisciplinary professional and support staff and manages rehabilitation program operations, including strategic planning, policy development, budgeting, human resources, performance and quality improvement, information management, specialty clinics, equipment and supplies, and training programs. Coordinates rehabilitation services across hospital departments, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention programs, Navajo Area leadership, and other Service Units. Oversees staff development and educational activities and provide professional consultation on rehabilitation services, emerging issues, and technology. Provides direct patient care within a qualifying rehabilitation discipline, including patient evaluation and assessment, treatment planning, therapeutic intervention, and recommendations for therapeutic equipment or appliances.

Requirements

To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying. 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; religious; spiritual; community; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

EDUCATION A graduate or higher level degree that included: A physical therapy curriculum approved by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs(external link) (CAAHEP) or a professional accrediting organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education(external link) at the time the degree was obtained; and Completion of the clinical requirements prescribed by the school.

LICENSURE For all grade levels and positions, applicants must possess a current, active, full, and unrestricted license or registration as a Physical Therapist from a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States; and must have passed the National Physical Therapy Examination administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy(external link) (FSBPT).

In addition to the Basic Requirements, you must also meet the Minimum Qualifications stated below.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks:

SUPERVISORY AND MANAGERIAL ABILITIES Candidates should possess proficiency, or the potential to develop proficiency, in these competencies prior to entry into a supervisory position:

  • Accountability: Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results. Determines objectives, sets priorities, and delegates work. Accepts responsibility for mistakes. Complies with established control systems and rules.
  • Customer Service: Anticipates and meets the needs of both internal and external customers. Delivers high-quality products and services; is committed to continuous improvement.
  • Decisiveness: Makes well-informed, effective, and timely decisions, even when data are limited or solutions produce unpleasant consequences; perceives the impact and implications of decisions.
  • Flexibility: Is open to change and new information; rapidly adapts to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles.
  • Integrity/Honesty: Behaves in an honest, fair, and ethical manner. Shows consistency in words and actions. Models high standards of ethics.
  • Interpersonal Skills: Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect. Considers and responds appropriately to the needs and feelings of different people in different situations.
  • Oral Communication: Makes clear and convincing oral presentations. Listens effectively; clarifies information as needed.
  • Problem Solving: Identifies and analyzes problems; weighs relevance and accuracy of information; generates and evaluates alternative solutions; makes recommendations.
  • Resilience: Deals effectively with pressure; remains optimistic and persistent, even under adversity. Recovers quickly from setbacks.
  • Written Communication: Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.

Time In Grade Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade Requirements: Merit Promotion (status) candidates must have completed one year of service at the next lower grade level. Time-In-Grade provisions do not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan (ESEP). You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

Education This position has an education requirement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed, and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: https://www.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/.

Other

Requirements

  • Selectee may be subject to a probationary period
  • ESEP appointees typically serve a two year trial period
  • U.S. Citizenship is required
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
  • This is a designated position covered by Public Law 101-630, requiring contact or control over Indian children. Due to this requirement, the agency must ensure that persons hired for these positions have not been found guilty of or pleaded nolo contendere or guilty to certain crimes.
  • IHS Selectees that will work in an IHS health care facility may be subject to Employee Health Policies related to Measles and Rubella and seasonal influenza immunization. Vaccine exemption request may be available according to the National and/or Service Unit guidance.
  • A one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period may be required upon selection/placement.
  • Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/.
  • You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you.
  • Background Investigation Requirement: This position requires the successful completion of a federal background investigation as a condition of employment. A background investigation is a standard process used by the Federal Government to verify an individual's identity, employment history, education, and other relevant information to determine suitability for Federal service. Upon receipt of instructions, applicants must complete all required background investigation forms within five (5) calendar days of issuance. Timely completion is critical to avoid delays in processing or a determination of unsuitability. Applicants are strongly encouraged to prioritize this requirement and to maintain regular communication with their assigned Personnel Security Specialist throughout the process. Prior to the appointment, candidates must present two valid forms of identification. If one of the documents is a state-issued ID or driver's license, it must be REAL ID-compliant.