Summary

Occupational Therapist's (OT) demonstrate an understanding of theories of treatment in occupational therapy and their proper application through the use of activity analysis - behavioral intervention - frame of references - and therapeutic procedures. PLEASE NOTE: Due to system updates - this job opportunity announcement will close early on 09/26/2025. Applications received by 11:59 pm ET on 09/26/2025 will be reviewed and referred to Hiring Managers - if found eligible and qualified.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship
• Be a citizen of the United States
• (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a))
• English Proficiency
• Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• Education and/or Experience
• (1) The individual must meet at least one of the following requirements below: (a) Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy and two (2) years of experience as an occupational therapist
• NOTE: The baccalaureate degree must be from an approved program prior to the AOTA January 1 - 2005 decision that the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) would only accredit master or doctoral degree programs in occupational therapy
• OR (b) Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy and two (2) full years of graduate education in a related field
• NOTE: The baccalaureate degree must be from an approved program prior to the AOTA January 1 - 2005 decision that ACOTE would only accredit master or doctoral degree programs in occupational therapy
• OR (c) Master's Degree or higher in occupational therapy
• (2) Individuals must be a graduate of a degree program in occupational therapy approved by the ACOTE or predecessor organizations
• This is inclusive of an internship (supervised fieldwork experience required by the educational institution)
• ACOTE is the only accreditation agency recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation
• Degree programs may be verified by contacting the American Occupational Therapy Association website or at their office address: American Occupational Therapy Association - P.O
• Box 31220 - Bethesda - MD 20824-1220
• Certification
• Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an OT
• State Licensure
• Candidates must possess] a full - current - and unrestricted state license - to practice occupational therapy in a state - territory or Commonwealth of the United States (i.e. - Puerto Rico) - or in the District of Columbia
• Loss of Credential
• An employee in this occupation who fails to maintain the required state or territorial licensure and the NBCOT certification - both current and in good standing - must be removed from the occupation - which may result in termination of employment
• Grandfathering Provision
• All [persons] employed in VHA [in this occupational series or in another occupational series that are also performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of this] qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification/registration [that are part of the basic requirements of this occupation]
• 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: (1) They may be reassigned - promoted up to and including the full performance level - or changed to lower grade within the occupation - but may not be promoted beyond the full performance level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions
• (2) If an OT who was retained under this provision leaves the occupation - the employee will lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation
• (3) OTs 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
• (4) OTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed - on a temporary or permanent basis - until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• Occupational Therapist - GS-12: (1) Education - Experience - and Licensure
• Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at the GS-11 grade level and directly related to the position being filled
• (2) Demonstrated KSAs
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of occupational therapy principles and techniques consistent with current clinical standards based on OT theory and evidence based practice
• Knowledge is inclusive of physical - occupational - cognitive - and psychosocial functional deficits
• (b) Ability to collaborate and communicate orally and in writing with all internal and external stakeholders
• (c) Ability to use critical analysis - clinical reasoning - and creativity to independently solve complex problems related to adapting and modifying assessments - treatment plans - activities and procedures to meet the needs of patients
• (d) Skill in procuring - fabricating - adjusting - adapting - and modifying orthoses - splints - and adaptive equipment for activities of daily living (inclusive of durable medical equipment)
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Exerts 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally - and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently - and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects
• Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Light Work
• The physical demands also require standing - walking - stair climbing - squatting - bending - and sitting - and changing from one position to the other frequently throughout the day
• Sufficient manual dexterity to operate a computer is also required.

Duties

• Major duties and responsibilities include but not limited to: Clinical duties: Evaluates and trains patients in self-care activities ( e.g
• dressing - feeding - bathing and personal hygiene) to maximize independence
• Teaches the patient to use orthoses or adaptive equipment - which may be fabricated by the therapist when necessary
• Teaches wheelchair transfers for home and community use
• Provides training in home management skills - presenting simpler methods to minimize fatigue and conserve energy
• Aids in maintaining and improving joint range of motion - muscle strength - endurance - coordination - and dexterity - particularly in the upper extremities
• Evaluates and trains the patient in weak areas to compensate for sensory - perceptual - and cognitive defects as they relate to function
• Evaluates the home and suggests modifications to enhance accessibility
• Educates the patient's family by demonstrating techniques designed to maintain patient independence and to minimize overprotection
• Trains the patient in the functional use of upper extremity prostheses
• Trains the patient and family in the operation and maintenance of home equipment that relates to occupational therapy
• Demonstrates the ability to provide a therapeutic - safe environment for adult and geriatric populations
• Uses knowledge and understanding of the developmental tasks and the changing physical characteristics associated with these age groups in clinical practice
• Performs other tasks as assigned by the Supervisor - Physical Therapy Department that are consistent with the mission of PM&RS and the Medical Center
• Education Duties: Coordinates the clinical education of professional and technical level Occupational therapy and Occupational Therapy Assistant students
• Performs duties of clinical instructor for affiliated schools for OT and Occupational Therapy Assistant programs
• Observes and evaluates student performance and arranges additional learning experiences that are relevant to total health care
• Provides regular counseling sessions with the student to discuss performance and to coordinate learning experiences
• Provides lectures - demonstrations of evaluations and treatment techniques and discussions of individual patient treatment plans
• Participates in PM&RS in-service training
• Supervises work-study students and volunteers assigned to OT
• Administrative Duties: Performs documentation in accordance with service and medical center policies in a timely manner
• Participates in the performance improvement activities of the service
• Ensures proper supply inventory levels are maintained for patient treatment
• Maintains clinic cleanliness and equipment functioning - enforcing safety procedures
• Performs other duties as assigned Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized