Clarification from the agency

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The Occupant will be assigned to the Community Based Outpatient Care (CBOC) Greenwood, KY. The Occupational Therapist will provide in-home rehabilitation services to patients with a wide variety of multiple, complex chronic illnesses and/or profound disabilities. Time will be split between the HBPC offices as assigned. It is necessary that the incumbent have a working knowledge of the applications of occupational therapy, physical therapy, and recreational therapy, in order to ensure appropriate rehabilitative assessments, treatment, and management, whether directly or by referral to a community therapist. This is the full performance level for the OT. At this level, the therapist is responsible for comprehensive assessment of functional and occupational roles using standardized and non-standardized evaluation tools. They select and provide therapy interventions and procedures with varying degrees of complexity to enhance patient safety, wellness, ADL and IADL performance, education, work, play, leisure, and social participation. The OT demonstrates 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. The Occupational Therapist functions in accordance with Federal Law, Practice Act(s) associated with state licensure, the Standards of Practice for Occupational Therapy and the Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics published by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). The OT is responsible for performing occupational therapy assessment and treatment interventions. The OT demonstrates 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. Assigned duties mainly consist of providing direct patient care in the treatment of persons with impairment or limitation that compromises their functional ability to live independently and participate in purposeful activity or occupation. The OT will complete functions as outlined below:

• Independently develops, implements and reassesses therapeutic rehabilitation programs for home care patients within discipline specific guidelines.
• Assesses the living skills, physical abilities, and needs for each patient referred for in-home assessment.
• Document initial assessments, treatment plans/goals, and response to treatment as determined in subsequent patient home visits, telephone calls, and case management work, according to licensure and Joint Commission standards.
• Initiate the appropriate forms for the patient to apply for Home Improvement and Structural Alterations (HISA) funding with written justification.
• Complete VA Clinical Reminders applicable to the OT's assessment.
• Seeks to improve knowledge and skill by review of current literature, participation in in- service training, and attendance at continuing education programs especially in their area of expertise. Attend continuing education programs and read professional literature for the purpose of maintaining licensure or improving knowledge, skills, and attitudes in work performance and competence.
• The Geriatrics and Extended Care (GEC) Service is an independent functioning unit, which has complete control over its budget and other fiscal activities. The day-to-day operations of all activities within GEC are the responsibility of the Associate Chief of Staff for GEC. The HBPC Program Director is responsible for the day-to-day clinical aspects of HBPC program.
• Provides clinical supervision of OT students as assigned.
• Provide HBPC and/or Geriatrics & Extended Care in-services as indicated of new developments in OT.
• Will maintain valid Occupational Therapist state licensure and NBCOT certification including state-mandated continuing education requirements.
• Completing all TMS and other mandatory training in a timely manner.
• Completing encounter/event capture information in accordance with Medical Center guidelines
• Develop the OT treatment plan in collaboration with the patient and caregiver.
• Work effectively with the HBPC team and other health care providers in coordinating the patient's total care
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
Telework: Ad-hoc
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 00000
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job..
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

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.
• Education and/or Experience: 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
• 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
• Master's Degree or higher in occupational therapy. NOTE: 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.
• 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.

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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates 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 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• 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.
• Ability to make autonomous decisions in the community without onsite supervision of another health care professional.

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).Note: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, series and grades for all federal positions held, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hour worked per week.

Preferred Experience: Home Health Experience, Geriatric Experience

References: VA Handbook 5005/127 PART II APPENDIX G14

The full performance level of this vacancy is 12.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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, resume, 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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.