Summary

The Primary Purpose of the Position is: To provide professional - independent occupational therapy services to those patients consulted through a healthcare provider and/or self-referrals. The Organizational Location of the Position is: Program III - in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service - VA North Texas Health Care System - Dallas Clinic. The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information - refer to Required Documents below

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 and/or Experience
• The individual must meet at least one of the following requirements: (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
• Foreign Graduates
• Graduates of foreign occupational therapy programs meet the requirements above if they have a current - full - active and unrestricted license referred to in subparagraph [3e] of this appendix
• 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)
• 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
• Grade Determinations: Occupational Therapist - GS-12: 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
• Examples of the GS-11 experience includes: Practice independently and responsible for the assessment of functional and occupational roles using standardized tools
• Modifies standardized and non-standardized evaluation tools
• 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
• 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 (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)
• (e) Ability to conduct OT related in-service and clinical training
• Preferred Experience: Experience in providing clinical guidance to OT practitioners in the Inpatient and Outpatient areas
• Demonstrates knowledge - experience and skills in the prescription - fitting - and training in the use of specialty equipment
• This includes needs for orthotics - static and dynamic (custom and/or prefabricated) - assistive technology - wheelchair mobility - lifts and lift systems - devices for activities of daily living - modalities (electrical stimulation - ultrasound - etc.) - and other devices.
• Demonstrates clinical skills for both Inpatient and Outpatient population
• Experience in Splinting - Intensive Care Units - and Upper extremity rehab
• Demonstrates the ability to identify and resolve interpersonal or professional conflicts when dealing with patients and members of the organization
• 2 to 4 years of experience
• 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 GS-12 Physical Requirements: Physical Requirements: Required lifting light to moderate (up to 44 pounds) and carrying light to moderate (up to 44 pounds) - Straight pulling (2 hours)
• Pulling hand over hand (2 hours)
• Pushing (2 hours)
• Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Walking and Standing (6 hours)
• Crawling (1 hour)
• Kneeling (2 hours)
• Repeated bending ( 6 hours)
• Climbing - legs only (2 hours)
• Both legs required
• Operation of crane - truck - tractor - or motor vehicle
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Near vision correctable to 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4
• Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other
• Both eyes required
• Depth perception
• Ability to distinguish basic colors
• Ability to distinguish shades of colors
• Hearing (aid permitted)
• Simple Grasping
• and Fine Manipulation-keyboarding
• Sitting (6hours)
• Twisting (6 hours).

Duties

• Duties include but not limited to: Clinical Functions: Patient Care: Veterans are scheduled for evaluation considering caseload complexity and acuity of medical condition
• Coordinates Veteran schedule with other interdisciplinary team members
• Recognizes the appropriateness of treatment based on indications - precautions and contraindications (e.g
• pharmacological) and uses professional judgement to initiate consultation to the appropriate provider
• Evaluations reflect the complexity through Occupational profile and client history
• Assessments of occupational performance
• Clinical decision-making and development of a patient centered plan of care
• Evaluations include medical history - results and interpretation of relevant evidence based methods and appropriate functional tests and measurements
• Complex or unusual evaluations may be conducted independently or in consultation with clinical specialist
• Demonstrates the skilled ability to evaluate client factors (specific capabilities - characteristics or beliefs) - performance skills (motor skills - processing skills and social interaction) - performance patterns (habits - routines and roles) - environment (physical & social) - and context (cultural - personal - temporal and virtual) - the therapist in this position demonstrates the ability to analyze Veterans occupational performance in order to target identified outcomes
• Assess the patient's medical conditions - functional capabilities - limitations - restrictions and rehabilitation potential
• Treatment Implementation: Evaluation findings are used to develop and implement comprehensive patient treatment plans including objective - measurable goals and timeliness for completion
• Implements complex and innovative therapeutic techniques not limited to: Therapeutic media - lifestyle coping skills and modifications - complementary and alternative modalities (CAM) - cognitive therapy and mobility training to maintain or achieve veteran's physical and/or emotional rehabilitation potential
• Independently develops and implements comprehensive and advanced therapeutic programs and techniques
• Recognizes and responds to adverse reactions and emergency situations of the patient during the session and modifies the plan of care
• Documents treatment progression and/or modifications accordingly
• Provides the equipment - materials - instruction - encouragement - or counseling necessary to promote functional mobility and activities performance
• Administration Functions: Understand and adheres to department - program - and facility procedures
• Schedules Veterans for treatment - considering priority and frequency of care and coordinating schedules with other members of the treatment team
• Provides relief coverage - as needed - in any PM&R program in the event of shortage of staff to maintain the continuum of patient care
• Participates in update of evaluation forms and protocols to adequately meet the requirements of the program and types of patients in assigned clinical setting
• Education and Research: Identifies learning activities for self and others
• Participates and contributes to the advancements of knowledge and techniques related to outpatient/inpatient management and Occupational therapy via in-services and/or mentorship projects
• Conducts in-services for interdisciplinary team and other rehabilitation programs
• Maintains current concepts and trends in Occupational therapy and evidence-based medicine/rehabilitation practices through literature reviews - study of current research - clinical practice - and through attendance to continuing education courses - conferences and in-services
• Participates in facility and/or service education projects
• Assist in development of patient education printed materials - hand-outs and forms related to therapy management and treatment
• This position is primarily in the Inpatient department with rotations to Outpatient as required
• Work Schedule: Sunday through Thursday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
• Rotates to cover weekends and holidays as needed for patient care
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 53147-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized