Summary

The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information - refer to Required Documents below Required Documents. A staff occupational therapist is responsible for the independent provision of comprehensive assessment of functional and occupational roles using standardized and non-standardized evaluation tools. They will select and provide direct occupational therapy interventions and procedures with varying degrees of complexity in the assigned area.

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:

• 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: (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
• Exceptions for the Graduate Occupational Therapist: (1) OT graduates from an approved occupational therapy program who otherwise meet the minimum qualification requirements - but who do not possess NBCOT certification and/or state licensure - may be [appointed - pending certification and/or licensure -] as a graduate OT on a full-time temporary appointment not-to-exceed two years under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)
• (2) Graduate OTs may only be appointed at the GS-9 grade level and may not be promoted/converted to the GS-11 level until licensure and/or certification is obtained
• For grades levels at or above the developmental GS-11 grade level - the OT must be certified and licensed
• (3) A graduate OT may provide care only under the direct supervision of a licensed OT who meets all state regulatory requirements
• (4) Temporary graduate OT appointments may not be extended beyond two years - or converted to a new temporary appointment
• 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 Language Proficiency: Individuals appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 74 - to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA must be proficient in written and spoken English
• See Chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a - this part
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)
• Grade Determinations: GS-09: None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-11: Education - Experience - or Licensure
• (a) Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 grade level and directly related to the position being filled
• or (b) Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree in occupational therapy or a directly related field
• or (c) Doctorate in occupational therapy
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs)
• In addition to the experience or education above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of occupational therapy practice
• Ability to administer/interpret evaluation findings to develop and coordinate intervention plans - including goals and methods of treatment
• Ability to implement intervention plans directly or in collaboration with others
• Skill in monitoring an individual's response to interventions and modify treatment plans and reevaluating as indicated
• Ability to communicate and or collaborate with patients - family members - caregivers - interdisciplinary professionals and/or other individuals verbally and in writing
• Knowledge of health and safety regulations to minimize risk in the provision of patient care and the environment of care
• Knowledge of applicable regulations governing documentation - reimbursement and workload entry in accordance with established professional practice
• 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
• Demonstrated KSAs
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate 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
• Preferred Experience: 6-12 months Acute Care 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 in the range of GS-09 to GS-12
• Driver's License Requirement: Applicant must have a valid - active - unrestricted driver's license
• Position may require extensive travel into the community to meet with Veterans - caregivers - community agencies and/or partners who assist and support the Caregiver Support Program
• Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary
• Some work may require movement between offices - hospitals - warehouses - and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work
• Work may also require walking/standing - in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site
• Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds.

Duties

• Therapist will primarily practice occupational therapy in the assigned setting at the assigned location but may participate in temporary assignments throughout STVHCS as directed by the therapy supervisor
• Treatment may include but is not limited to the use physical modalities - therapeutic exercise - selfcare education and training - neuromuscular reeducation - therapeutic use of self - prostheses - assistive devices - assistive technologies - and/or any other modality within the scope of occupational therapy as outlined by the American Occupational Therapy Association
• Major duties include - but are not limited to: Clinical: Candidates must be licensed for assignment at this grade level
• The therapist has a basic foundation of occupational therapy and are expanding their ability to provide assessment and intervention
• OTs at this level may be given general assignments in any occupational therapy program area where advanced - specialized knowledge is not required on a recurring basis due to the patient population served and complexity of the facility and/or treatment area or may serve as the sole OT at a less complex facility
• Upon referral from a physician (or self-referral in a direct access system) - evaluates patients to determine functional status - identifies problems and needs for individualized therapy treatment
• Demonstrates the ability to serve as a consultant for health care providers regarding the deliver of occupational therapy services to patients who have experienced musculoskeletal injuries - neurological injuries - and trauma
• Independently plans and develops comprehensive programs to meet patients' needs
• Communicates effectively with occupational therapy and medical center staff
• Incumbent is responsible for comprehensive evaluations of patients for durable medical equipment and orthotics including procuring - fabricating - adjusting - adapting - and modifying adaptive equipment for activities of daily living (inclusive of DME - bracing - and other adaptive equipment)
• Once the evaluation is complete - the incumbent is responsible for coordinating equipment need with the physician and prosthetics department
• Understands rationale for all clinic procedures and has good operating knowledge of all equipment in the Occupational Therapy Clinic
• Administration: Maintains attendance records and submits monthly reports and statistics
• Maintains all data for quality assurance monitoring and evaluates data at specific intervals Maintains procedures consistent with STVHCS policies
• Assists in the development of standards of care to ensure compliance with professional accrediting organizations
• Maintains equipment in safe and operable condition through inspection and submission of work orders - as necessary
• May Assign and evaluates work of subordinate staff as assigned
• Education: Provides in-services training for therapy staff and other professionals - as necessary
• Orients Visitors and Volunteers to the role of occupational therapy Maintains both professional state license and National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy competency through continuing education with completion in each biennium of 3.0 Continuing Competency Units (CCU's)
• Supervises and trains occupational therapy students and volunteers
• If assigned - acts as clinical education coordinator or the Occupational Therapy Section
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm Telework: AD HOC ONLY Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 54303-F - 54304-F - 54317-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized