Career Center

Please note this is an intermittent position. The assignment carries primary responsibility for conducting in-home rehabilitative, functional, and environmental safety assessments for patients in the Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC) Program. He/she exercises professional judgment and makes decisions in the community without onsite supervision of another health care professional. 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 below: Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy and two (2) years of experience as an occupational therapist; OR 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. Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy and two (2) full years of graduate education in a related field; OR 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. Master's Degree or higher in occupational therapy. 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Occupational Therapist, GS-9 Education, Experience, or Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements. Occupational Therapist, GS-11 Education, Experience, or Licensure: Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 grade level and directly related to the position being filled; OR Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree in occupational therapy or a directly related field; OR 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. Occupational Therapist, GS-12 Education, Experience, and Licensure: Completion of one year of experience equivalent to 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. References: Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G14. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, and bending. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or home settings. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. The incumbent provides care in home settings or other off-site locations and may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles. ["The HBPC OT uses advanced skills in providing Occupational Therapy services, interpreting a wide variety of functional levels, determining the need for home medical equipment and adaptive equipment, and teaching/monitoring safe use. The Occupational Therapist (OT) provides in-home services to patients with a wide variety of multiple, complex chronic illnesses and/or profound disabilities. Duties include but are not limited to; Independently develops, implements, and evaluates therapeutic rehabilitation programs within the framework of HBPC. Assesses the goals, living skills, physical abilities and related needs for each patient referred for in-home assessment. Develops a treatment plan directed toward achieving maximum level of functioning within the home, consulting with other disciplines as indicated and developing the plan in collaboration with the patient and caregiver. Implements the HBPC treatment plan by providing direct patient care; procuring necessary equipment /adaptive devices; training the patient and caregiver concerning exercises, activities of daily living, rehabilitation techniques and equipment/ adaptive devices; and recommending community referrals. Reassesses patients' levels of functioning and home environment, revising the treatment plan as indicated and terminating treatment when objectives are met and/or the patient has achieved maximum benefit from treatment. Evaluates the need for additional services and use professional judgment to initiate consultation with other professionals to provide such services. Serves as content expert in ordering complex and specialized equipment. Provides care that is appropriate to the cognitive, emotional, and chronological maturation needs of the adult and/or geriatric patient. Identifies patient and caregiver learning needs and provides and documents patient and caregiver education. Develops and coordinates educational materials for patients and caregivers as indicated by OT assessment and Joint Commission Home Care standards. Documents assessments, treatment plans, services and education provided and response to services and education according to Medical Center policy, HBPC, procedures and Joint Commission standards. Work Schedule: As needed\nTelework: In accordance with agency policy\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: Occupational TherapistPDF02917\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]