Clarification from the agency

Announcement open to current, permanent federal employees outside the Department of Veteran Affairs and all US Citizens. Current, permanent employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs should apply to announcement CBSX-12408705-24-MB in order to receive consideration for this position.

Videos

Duties include, but are not limited to:

1. Clinical

1. Demonstrates knowledge of contemporary and evidence-based OT practice especially as it relates to SCI/D.
2. Integrates the international classification of functioning framework as a conceptual basis for definition and measurement of health and disability.
3. Demonstrates the ability to interpret clinician prescriptions and referrals.
4. Evaluates 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, and range of motion, sensation, perception, and 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 of abilities related to the patient's age.
5. Based on evaluations, and planning with patient and significant others (when appropriate), and coordination with the interdisciplinary team, establishes treatment goals and plan of care.

1. Educational

1. Orients patients, families, residents, allied health personnel, students, and volunteers to the purpose and function of occupational therapy.
2. Participates in occupational therapy student training programs, within scope of experience. Receives guidance from the SCI/D Service Chief, SCI/D Therapy Manager, and SCI/D medical provider staff.
3. Attends and participates in section in-services, medical center educational offerings, professional conferences and workshops.
4. Remains abreast of frequently changing VA-related guidelines in the environment of care and safety.

1. Administrative

1. Maintains patient attendance records. Completes daily, weekly and monthly statistics as required by the department in a timely manner. Complies with SCI/D health care group guidelines for content and timeliness in completion of required patient documentation.
2. Complies with OT stocked prosthetic procurement processes to maintain accurate inventory levels.
3. Is able to process consults appropriately - including scheduling and closing - and alert the scheduler to prioritize patients based on needs.
4. Accurately maintains patient schedule, and arranges alternate coverage as needed for planned and unplanned absences.
5. Ensures proper supply inventory levels are maintained in assigned areas.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30AM-4:00PM
Telework: NotEligible
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Occupational Therapist (Spinal Cord Injury)/PD000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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
• 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
• 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

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.The authority to set requirements is provided by 38 U.S.C. § 7402(b)(14).

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.

TRANSCRIPT DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED AT TIME OF APPLICATION

d. Certification.
Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an OT. CERTIFICATION DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED AT TIME OF APPLICATION

e. 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.

Preferred Experience/Qualifications: Previous experience working with people with spinal cord injuries and/or VA experience


Grade Requirements:

Occupational Therapist, GS-9:

• None beyond the basic requirements above.

Occupational Therapist, GS-11:

• Education, Experience, Licensure:
  • Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 grade level and directly related to the position being filled; OR
  • Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree in occupational therapy or a directly related field; OR
  • Doctorate in occupational therapy.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the requirements listed above, you must demonstrate all of the following KSAs (NOTE: experience must be evident in your resume in order to receive credit for experience):
  1. Knowledge of occupational therapy practice.
  2. Ability to administer/interpret evaluation findings to develop and coordinate intervention plans, including goals and methods of treatment.
  3. Ability to implement intervention plans directly or in collaboration with others.
  4. Skill in monitoring an individual's response to interventions and modify treatment plans and reevaluating as indicated.
  5. Ability to communicate and or collaborate with patients, family members, caregivers, interdisciplinary professionals and/or other individuals verbally and in writing.
  6. Knowledge of health and safety regulations to minimize risk in the provision of patient care and the environment of care.
  7. Knowledge of applicable regulations governing documentation, reimbursement and workload entry in accordance with established professional practice.

Occupational Therapist, GS-12:

• Education, Experience, and Licensure: Completion of one year of experience equivalent at the GS-11 grade level and directly related to the position being filled.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the requirements listed above, you must demonstrate all of the following KSAs (NOTE: experience must be evident in your resume in order to receive credit for experience):
  1. 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.
  2. Ability to collaborate and communicate orally and in writing with all internal and external stakeholders.
  3. 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.
  4. Skill in procuring, fabricating, adjusting, adapting, and modifying orthoses, splints, and adaptive equipment for activities of daily living (inclusive of durable medical equipment).
  5. Ability to conduct OT related in-service and clinical training.

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G14- Occupational Therapist Qualification Standard.

Physical Requirements:
Occupational Therapy is considered a vocation that requires moderately heavy physical exertion on an intermittent basis such as assisting a Veteran in transfer activities, i.e., wheelchair to transport vehicle. There are also regular periods of standing and walking throughout the medical center and at off-station sites. Additional, at times the work requires lifting, moving, and carrying of moderately heavy items and equipment for set-up or use by Veterans during Occupational Therapy activities. Work entails: exerting 20 - 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Light Work. (i.e.: more than exerting of to 20 points of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects). Occupational Therapy also requires good manual dexterity to manipulate tools and equipment such as operating all aspects of a computer - voice dictation software, keyboarding, mouse, and control buttons. Assembling equipment with the use of hand tools such as screwdrivers and pliers.

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 WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

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.

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.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the 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.