Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply

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 below: 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
• c
• 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
• c
• Certification
• Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an OT
• d
• 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
• e
• Physical Requirements
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• f
• 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: 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: Knowledge of assistive technologies - power - manual seating and mobility - evaluation - and implementation of treatment plan to address mobility related activities of daily living - home and community safety in use of power mobility
• Knowledge of durable medical equipment
• Instruct patients and family members in the proper use of adaptive and durable medical equipment - prepare timely prosthetics requests
• 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
• Physical Requirements: Activities may require prolonged standing - extensive walking - bending - push/pulling and lifting
• Hazards include risk of exposure to communicable diseases - toxic substances - electrical hazards and risk of physical injury associated with patients with the potential to lose control or irrational behavior
• Must be able to operate a vehicle and possess the ability to drive long distances and access homes that may be in poor condition and have poor environmental controls.

Duties

• Major duties include - but are not limited to: Clinical: Evaluates - develops - and implements appropriate occupational therapy treatment Addresses the Veteran's rehabilitation potential - behavior and any psychosocial aspects of care
• Administers and interprets recognized tests and measurements to determine baseline level of functioning and treatment applications
• Independently plans - coordinates - and carries out treatment program and re-evaluates and adjusts OT treatment as appropriate
• Responsible for the management and organization of the treatment area and works independently in planning and carrying out a treatment program
• Independently solves complex problems related to OT
• Adapts and modifies treatment plans - activities - and procedures to meet the needs of the Veterans
• Conducts and documents PM&RS screening assessments Determines need for orthotic or assistive/adaptive devices/equipment and training
• Educates Veteran and significant other in the proper application/installation/use for a specific device
• Monitors Veteran's response to program - summarizes and analyzes Veteran's performance - and modifies program and goals when necessary to meet Veteran's needs as situations and performance changes to attain projected functional outcomes
• Independently develops - plans - coordinates - and initiates new programs - activities - and procedures to meet needs of Veterans with complex problems/disabilities as well as the specific needs of the general population of patients
• Works cooperatively with other specialties to provide seamless rehabilitation treatment for patients who may require interdisciplinary and complex care including participation in interdisciplinary meetings for special programs - patient care - and discharge planning
• Education: Maintains professional competency through documented and appropriate continuing education for professional and personal growth
• Maintains professional state licensure and national certification
• Maintains membership in professional organizations and reads current literature
• Attends in-service training programs - lectures - and staffing meetings to remain familiar with current occupational therapy practices
• Attends mandatory training as required by the facility and meets annual educational requirements
• Plans and provides in-service educational programs to Occupational Therapy staff
• Provides educational sessions to other professionals and/or trainees to promote understanding of - and appropriate use of - Occupational Therapy services
• Assists in planning and organizing and functioning as a Clinical Instructor for occupational therapy student education program for Fieldwork I and Fieldwork II level students
• Serves as a resource/consultant to other therapists and staff in specialty area to solve complex problems
• Serves as role model possessing a demonstrating clinical expertise that is recognized and sought by peers
• Assesses Veteran educational needs - promotes - coordinates - and participates in Veteran education and counseling based on needs of the patient and significant others
• Develops and applies standards and criteria for newly identified areas of practice in specialty area
• Administration: Adheres to established standards - policies - and procedures
• Participates in quality assurance activities and review including chart reviews - peer reviews - Veteran care monitoring - and Veteran satisfaction surveys
• Compiles necessary statistics that assists supervisor in determining program effectiveness - efficiency - patient satisfaction for monthly - quarterly - and annual QI measures for CARF - JC - etc
• Maintains personal productivity and assists the section in maintaining/increasing effectiveness and efficiency in meeting its objectives
• Maintains safety standards and approved medical practices to ensure safety of the environment for patients
• Responsible for providing and maintaining adequate supplies and equipment according to the needs of the occupational therapy clinic program and patient treatment
• Monitors clinic areas to ensure that a clean - safety conscious environment exists for all patients and staff
• Inpatient therapist's schedules inpatient clinic appointment using Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology (Vista) scheduling options
• Outpatient therapists triages consults and writes text orders for scheduling of Veteran's appointments
• Uses established business rules to schedule appointments for veterans
• Other duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday
• 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 55828-F
• 55829-F
• 55830-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact VISN17EDRP2@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized