The incumbent administers and monitors therapeutic interventions based on goals formulated by a Registered Occupational Therapist (OTR), but must be able to implement a patent care plan with direct contact supervision from the occupational therapist. Additional duties include providing caregiver and home management training to patients and families and completion of various administrative tasks within the department. The duties and responsibilities of this position are carried out throughout HBPC teams including all Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) based programs (Tucson, Yuma, Casa Grade and Sierra Vista).. Duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Administer standardized assessments including assessments for cognition after completing training and deemed competent by OTR.
• Communicate findings of assessments to the OTR for treatment planning.
• Modify approach when working with a veteran to make the activity match the veteran's needs.
• Identify individual treatment program change needs and communicate this to the OTR.
• Identify those in a group who need modification of an activity and to assist them to grade the activity to maximize patient's functional status.
• Identify and recommend complex adaptive and assistive devices and durable medical equipment.
• Offer information and instructions to veterans with varied levels of cognition.
• Provide multistep directions to allow veterans to participate in therapeutic groups and interventions with consideration of their level of cognition.
• Provide information regarding ways to structure activities for veterans to family members, other health care professions and program staff.
• Describe the role and purpose of occupational therapy as part of a Veteran's overall rehabilitation program to other program staff, to veterans and to other identified stakeholders.
• Provide training and interventions independently within all patient care areas associated with PM&RS.
• Identify situations in which OT services may be warranted and advocate within the program for an OT evaluation.
• Offer information to the program for treatment planning, is an active participant in team treatment of the veteran.
• Complete documentation in a manner consistent with the facilities requirements, including timeliness and completeness.
• Maintain records and statistical data as requested for the purpose of workload and/or efficiency reports.
• Periodically participates in quality assurance utilization reviews regarding patient treatment and departmental issues.
• Assure proper level of supplies and equipment by sharing in the inventory and ordering process.
  

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 0800 am - 4:30 pm
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Must pass pre-employment physical.

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.
• English Language Proficiency: OTA must be proficient in spoken and written English.
• Education. [Individuals must meet at least one of the requirements below:]
  (1) Associate's degree in occupational therapy from a college or university accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).
  (2) Completion of a military training program in an Occupational Therapy Assistant program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).]
• . Certification. The OTA must have written documentation that the individual has passed the entry-level certification examination for OTAs administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).
• Licensure. The OTA must hold a full, current, and unrestricted state license to practice occupational therapy in a State, Territory, a Commonwealth of the United States (i.e. Puerto Rico), or in the District of Columbia.

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).

Grade Determinations: GS-5: In addition to meeting the basic requirement; Do you have 6 months of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-4) and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. In addition, your resume must demonstrate the following technical KSAs: (a). Ability to assist in the development of treatment goals/objectives. (b). Ability to implement a patient care plan incorporating activity analysis theory. (c). Skill in written communication to document preliminary data, progress/change in status, discharge status, and patient or caregiver education. (d). Knowledge of basic group techniques and interpersonal communications. (e). Ability to assist in the use of standardized assessment tools to the area of practice assigned.
GS-6: In addition to meeting the basic requirement; Do you have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-5) and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. In addition, your resume must demonstrate the following technical KSAs: (a). Knowledge of a variety of standardized assessment tools in order to provide a more comprehensive intervention under the supervision of an occupational therapist. (b). Ability to use problem-solving skills when providing therapeutic interventions for patients who have a wide range of diagnoses and disabilities. (c). Ability to provide complex/multi-step instructions to patients, caregivers, and other health care professionals adapting instructions to meet the learning needs of the individual. (d). Ability to promote occupational therapy services effectively, providing training and interventions within the assigned areas.
GS-7: In addition to meeting the basic requirement; Do you have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-6) and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. In addition, your resume must demonstrate the following technical KSAs: (a). Ability to utilize more complex therapeutic techniques and interventions, utilizing problem-solving skills, to maximize patient's functional status. (b). Ability to modify and adapt therapeutic interventions for simple and complex cases with a wide range of diagnoses and disabilities. (c). Ability to identify and recommend complex adaptive and assistive devices and durable medical equipment.

References: VA HANDBOOK 5005, Pat II, Appendix G22

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS 5 to GS 7.

Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting (45pounds and over); Moderate carrying (15-44 pounds); Pushing (1 -2 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (2 hours); Standing (4 hours); Kneeling ( 1 hours); Repeated bending (2 Hours); Both legs required; Good distant vision in one eye and ability to w/o strain, printed material the size of typewritten, glass (ok); Emotional and Mental Stability.

How you will be evaluated

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, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

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.