This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/447624500. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
THE LOCATION DUTY IS IN WEST LOS ANGELES, CA
Learn more about this agency08/15/2016 to 08/14/2017
$68,509 - $93,259 per year
GS 00
2 vacancies in the following location:
Not required
No
Permanent
Full-time - Full Time
11
No
JB-16-JB-1755712-Bu
447624500
The position is at the Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, West Los Angeles, CA. Primary purpose of work is direct patient care. Therapist plans and develops treatment programs for individual patients with a variety of physical disabilities. Patients encompass young adult to older adult (geriatric). Goals of treatment are to maintain, restore, and enhance performance and potential for independent living, or maximum function within an individual's lifestyle, and to aid in adjustment and understanding of disability. Major Duties:
- Evaluating a variety of patients as appropriate for their diagnoses to determine current levels of functioning. Evaluations may cover the following areas: activities of daily living, strength, range of motion, sensation, perception, cognition, vocational and avocational aptitudes. Evaluations take into account the patient's lifestyle, culture, social support system, the patient's military, work and leisure history and limitations and abilities related to the patient's age.
- Based on evaluations, and planning with patient and significant others (when appropriate), and coordination with the multidisciplinary team, establishes treatment goals and eventual discharge plan.
- Developing and carrying out occupational therapy treatment plans with individuals or groups of patients to meet individual rehabilitation objectives. Treatment may include: functional activities which have as their goal the improvement of patient's activities of daily living, strength, range of motion, sensation, perceptive and/or cognitive status. Treatment may include the development of components of executive functioning. Treatment may involve the prescription, fabrication and training in the use of splints, adaptive equipment and assistive technology. Development and implementation of treatment plans take into account the patient's lifestyle, culture, social support system, the patient's vocational and avocational history and limitations, interests, and abilities related to the patient's age. Asks for assistance from clinical specialists in complex or unusual cases.
- Initiating the ordering, delivery and training in the use of patient specific adaptive equipment in a timely, efficient and accurate manner. This requires that the therapist be familiar with all internal and external processes related to the procurement of prosthetic equipment, including national VA regulations (The "Prosthetic Handbook"), and be familiar with available technology and equipment. Asks for assistance from clinical specialists in complex or unusual cases.
- Regularly re-evaluating patient performance with appropriate modifications to treatment.
- Documenting initial evaluations, progress, and discharge planning in a timely, concise manner, per section documentation requirements.
- Participating regularly in multidisciplinary care planning meetings.
Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm. Occasional weekends
may be required based on the needs.
Functional Statement Title/#: Occupational Therapist
Physical Requirements:must be able to distinguish basic colors and shades; requires moderate walking, standing, bending, or carrying of light items, or driving an automobile, etc. The functional Requirements: Heavy Lifting (45 lbs and over); Heavy Carrying (45 lbs and over); Straight Pulling (up to 1 hour); Pushing (1 2 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 3 hours); Standing (up to 3 hours); Repeated bending (up to 1 hour); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; Hearing (aid permitted).
Basic Requirements:
a. Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
b. Education:
(1) Graduation from a degree program in occupational therapy approved by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) or predecessor organizations to include an internship (supervised fieldwork experience required by the educational institution). The ACOTE is the only accreditation agency recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). 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.
(2) Foreign graduates of occupational therapy programs meet the requirements subparagraph 2b(1) if they have a current, full, active and unrestricted license/certification/registration/trademark referred to in subparagraph 2d and certification/registration referred to in subparagraph 2c.
NOTE: Effective January 1, 2005, ACOTE accredits only master or doctoral degree programs in occupational therapy.
c. Certification/Examination:
Possession of written documentation that the individual has passed the entry-level certification examination for OTs which is administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).
d. State Licensure/Certification/Registration/Trademark (hereafter referred to as state regulatory requirement). The OT must hold a full, current, and unrestricted state license, certification, or registration or trademark to practice occupational therapy in a State, Territory, a Commonwealth of the United States (i.e., Puerto Rico), or in the District of Columbia.
NOTE: The OT must maintain full, current and unrestricted license, trademark, registration, or certification as required by state statute. The majority of states have determined that licensure is the most effective approach to regulating occupational therapy practitioners. As of the date of this standard, 47 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico license OTs; two statesHawaii and Michiganhave registration laws; and one state, Colorado, has a title protection trademark law.
e. English-Must be proficient in spoken and written English. (To be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C., Chapter 73 or 74, to serve in direct patient care capacity in VHA, applicants must be proficient in written and spoke English).
Preferred Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Grade Determinations:
GS-9: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, candidates must have:
- At least 1 year of post-graduate progressively responsible experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7); or
- Education equivalent to two (2) full years of progressively higher level graduate education in a field related to the practice of occupational therapy; or
- Master's degree in Occupational Therapy or a closely related field accredited by ACOTE.
GS-11: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of one year of progressively complex experience and a broad scope of experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-9) directly related to the position being filled, or 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree in occupational therapy or a directly related field.For this grade level, candidates must also demonstrate the following:
- Demonstrated KSAOs. In addition to the basic requirements, individuals assigned as GS-11 OTs must demonstrate all of the following KSAOs:
1. Knowledge of advanced occupational therapy techniques to perform functions associated within the occupational therapy scope of practice.
2. Ability to communicate orally and in writing.
3. Ability to adapt assessment tools and treatment to the complexity of the diagnosis or disabilities and demonstrate the clinical reasoning necessary to identify the need for further in depth specific assessment of function and utilization of non-standard methods and techniques.
4. Knowledge of principles and techniques in the occupational therapy assessment and treatment of occupational, cognitive, and psychological functional deficits.
5. Ability to interact with patients, families, and other health care providers.
6. Ability to facilitate and instruct in-service and clinical training programs.
7. Knowledge and ability to apply all health and safety regulations to minimize and mitigate risks in the provision of patient care and environmental maintenance.
- Assignment. OTs at this grade level must meet state regulatory requirements for assignment at this grade level, and are considered to be at the full performance level. Staff OTs at this level practice independently and are responsible for performing occupational therapy assessment and treatment interventions. Staff 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 which are covered by Rehabilitation Services and provide professional, independent occupational therapy services in the assigned area. OTs at this level may be given general assignments in any occupational therapy program area where the 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. 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 5005/25 Part II Appendix G14 and appropriate VA Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.
Your application, résumé and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
NOTE: The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will recommend the grade and salary for new appointments.
All applicants are required to submit the following supporting document type(s):
· Other (VA Application 10-2850c)
· Resume
· Transcript
VA Form 10-2850c - Application for Associated Health Occupations (required). (Available at the VA Forms Website: http://www.va.gov/vaforms/search_action.asp?FormNo=10-2850&tkey=&Action=Search)
Please
use this checklist
to make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, etc. You will not be contacted for additional information.
Faxing Applications or Supporting Documents: You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application. If you are unable to apply online or unable to upload your supporting documents to your online application, follow the directions located at the following site: Fax Options. The Vacancy ID of the job opportunity announcement is 1755712.
NOTE: If you applied online and your application is complete, do not fax the paper application (1203-FX) as this will overwrite your prior online responses and may result in you being found ineligible.
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online.
To apply for this position, you must complete the View Occupational Questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on Monday, August 14, 2017 to receive consideration.
1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. During our review, if your résumé and application package do not support your questionnaire answers, we will adjust your rating accordingly. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email (if provided); otherwise, applicants will receive a notification letter via the U.S. Postal Service. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You
may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USAJOBS
account and clicking on Application Status. For a more detailed update
of your status, click on more information. Information regarding applicant
notification points
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/447624500. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
Learn more about
Vacancy Identification Number (VIN): 1755712
This Open Continuous Announcement (OCA) allows acceptance of applications throughout the announcement period and is used to establish lists of applicants interested in employment with the VA Greater Los Angeles Health Care System. Qualified applicants may be referred as early as September 7, 2016 and thereafter as vacancy becomes available.
OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan" by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate care to Veterans?