Summary

The James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center is recruiting for one Occupational Therapist within the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS). The PM&RS Occupational Therapist provides care at the James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center Altoona Campus - as well as at the Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs).

Qualifications

Basic 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: To meet this requirement - you must have obtained one of the 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
• 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
• Foreign Graduates: Graduates of foreign occupational therapy programs meet the requirements if they have a current - full - active and unrestricted license
• 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
• English Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• Grade Determinations: Occupational Therapist - GS-12 Education - Experience - and Licensure: In addition to meeting the basic requirements you must have completed one (1) year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level and directly related to the position being filled
• OTs at this grade level practice independently and are responsible for the assessment of functional and occupational roles using standardized tools
• The OT modifies standardized and non-standardized evaluation tools
• OTs select and provide direct occupational therapy interventions and procedures with routine complexity to enhance safety - wellness - performance in activities of daily living (ADL)
• and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) - education - work - play - leisure - and social participation
• Occupational therapists require guidance with higher complexity conditions
• OTs demonstrate an understanding of the theories of treatment in occupational therapy and their proper application through the use of activity analysis - behavioral intervention - frame of references - and therapeutic procedures
• Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities: In addition meeting the experience above - you must demonstrate that you meet all of the following KSAs: 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
• Ability to collaborate and communicate orally and in writing with all internal and external stakeholders
• 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
• Skill in procuring - fabricating - adjusting - adapting - and modifying orthoses - splints - and adaptive equipment for activities of daily living (inclusive of durable medical equipment)
• Ability to conduct OT related in-service and clinical training
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-12 to GS-12
• Physical Requirements: Work includes regular and recurring physical excretion - with long periods of standing - bending - kneeling - walking - reaching - gripping - sitting - twisting - pulling or pushing carts with inventories or activities involving retrieving items from shelves and cabinets
• and patient transfers
• Moderate to heavy lifting is often required
• The position demands significant physical stress and strain such as lifting patients - crouching and crawling on mats - and occasionally defending him/herself against combative patient assigned to the incumbent
• The work involves moderate risks or discomforts requiring normal safety precautions typical of a hospital setting
• Employees will be required to follow universal infection control precautions that may include having to "gown and glove" when providing treatment to patients
• Sitting at meetings - desks or computer terminals for documentation purposes is also required.

Duties

• Major duties and responsibilities include - but may not be limited to: The Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) Occupational Therapist provides examination - diagnosis - treatment - and management of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions
• Provide patient care that is compassionate - appropriate - and effective for the promotion of health - prevention of illness - treatment of disease - and care at the end of life
• Demonstrate knowledge of established and evolving evidenced based practices - and the application of their knowledge to patient care and the education of others
• Demonstrate behaviors that reflect a commitment to continuous professional development - ethical practice - and understanding and sensitivity to diversity - and a responsible attitude toward their patients and their profession
• Demonstrate both an understanding of the contexts and systems in which health care is provided - and the ability to apply this knowledge to improve optimizing health care
• Utilize standard medical evaluation procedures and occupational therapy evaluation to evaluate and develop an occupational Therapy treatment plan
• Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team - including PM&RS to ensure the whole health approach to patient centered care
• Complete evaluations - re-evaluations - plan of care - treatments - and discharges
• Document and code information for billing related to patient care in the VA's electronic health care record on a timely basis following VHA policies and communicates with other health care providers as appropriate
• Review referrals - screen for appropriateness of care - and direct Veterans to other services when necessary
• Knowledge of complex issues surrounding the delivery of care as it relates to occupational Therapy services - such as evidenced base practice and cost effectiveness
• Problem solves issues in the delivery of occupational Therapy care
• Position is primarily based at the Altoona VA facility - with additional responsibilities at the Indiana County CBOC to support cross-coverage needs
• Performs other duties as assigned Work Schedule: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Monday through Friday Telework: Not Authorized Functional Statement #: 000000 / Occupational Therapist Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized