The Occupational Therapist (O.T.) utilizes the application of goal-oriented, purposeful activity in the evaluation, treatment, instruction, and consultation of individuals whose function is impaired by: acute, sub-acute or chronic physical illness or injury; psychiatric, and/or emotional disorders; congenital or developmental learning disabilities; or the aging process. 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). Foreign Graduates. Graduates of foreign occupational therapy programs meet the requirements of subparagraph [3b(2)] if they have a current, full, active and unrestricted license referred to in subparagraph 3e of this appendix. d. 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). 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: 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. Examples of specialized experience include, but are not limited to: 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. (2) Demonstrated KSAs. In addition 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. (3) Assignment. OTs at this level practice independently and are responsible for comprehensive assessment of functional and occupational roles using standardized and non-standardized evaluation tools. OTs select and provide direct occupational therapy interventions and procedures with varying degrees of complexity to enhance safety, wellness, and performance in ADL, instrumental IADL, education, work, play, leisure, and social participation. OTs demonstrate a full professional 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. They are assigned to all program areas within VHA and provide professional, independent occupational therapy services. OTs at this level may be given assignments in any 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. Individuals may perform ancillary assignments, including program management duties on an occasional basis, where the complexity and amount of work is not substantial (less than 25% of the duty time). References: VA Handbook 5005/127, PART II APPENDIX G14. December 13, 2019. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: The work requires long periods of standing, walking, kneeling, and sitting. Work involves constant bending, lifting 15-44 lbs., and twisting. The work requires pushing wheelchair and stretcher patients. ["Occupational Therapy is a medically based health service administered by a licensed occupational therapist. Specific occupational therapy services include but are not limited to: evaluation and training in activities of daily living (ADL's); training in functional mobility; developing perceptual motor skills and sensory integrative and cognitive functioning; developing pre-vocational capacities; and designing, fabricating or applying selected orthotic and prosthetic devices. Functions include, but are not limited to: Performs appropriate cleansing and re-processing of reusable medical equipment in compliance with VHA directives and SOPs. Keeps up-to-date with current trends in rehabilitation medicine/therapy through scheduled in-services, library resources, continuing education courses and hospital training and development workshops scheduled by the facility. Completes other administrative duties as assigned (work orders, FSOD, information processing, program development, etc.) for the PM&R Service or Medical Center. Demonstrates tact, courtesy and a positive approach to communication and interaction with other employees, visitors, physicians, and the public. Presents the Program, Service, and Medical Center in a positive manner. Professionally represents the Service and/or administration on behalf of the medical center during off-station events, committee meetings, contacts with outside agencies, etc. Attends staff meetings as directed. Maintains timely and appropriate documentation of all consults, initial evaluations, progress notes, discharge notes, patient/family education, workload statistics, QA monitors, patient attendance records and other clinical activities. Follows appropriate billing and coding practices. Inputs scheduling data into VISTA computer system or through approved charting methods and updates daily to reflect current status of patients. This is to be done in concert and accordance with Medical Center policies on scheduling, consult management, and electronic wait list entry. Completes all employee/patient incident documentation in a timely manner as required by hospital or Service policy. Uses department resources wisely and effectively to render care in a cost effective, efficient manner. Performs non-technical maintenance of equipment to prevent malfunctions. Maintains treatment area in a safe, orderly manner. Assesses equipment needs and maintains adequate stock of supplies and materials. The majority of the Occupational Therapist's patient care activities involve work of a highly complex nature that is performed independently using the Chief of PM&R as a consultant. Patients are scheduled for evaluation in such a manner as to not negatively impact other clinical staff, yet meet the patients' needs. Evaluates a wide variety of patients appropriate for rehabilitation to determine their baseline level of functioning and independently plans and implements the appropriate written, goal-directed rehabilitation program based on existing and anticipated needs to promote independent living. Evaluation findings are used to identify function related problems, and to develop and implement comprehensive, individualized patient treatment plans, including objective, measurable goals and timelines for completion. These goals are developed in collaboration with the patient, family and/or other stakeholder input and may include consultation with more experienced clinicians. Ensures appropriate patient referrals and discharge planning in concert with the therapy and Medical Center staff. Responsible for participating and contributing to the advancement of knowledge and techniques related to occupational therapy and other related topics. Serves as Clinical Instructor for Occupational Therapy and Occupational Therapist Assistant students as assigned (once appropriate). Work Schedule: (3 schedules are available) Monday - Friday, from 08:00am - 4:30pm, Tuesday - Saturday from 08:00am - 4:30pm, Sunday - Thursday, from 08:00 - 4:30pm Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000/Occupational Therapist Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
