Clarification from the agency

1) Open to current, permanent employees of the Madison VA Medical Center and its outreach facilities, including CBOCs and VCS employees. 2) All other current government and other permanent employees VA Nationwide.

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The Occupational Therapist (OT) - HUD-VASH/Homeless at the GS 12 level practice independently and are responsible for comprehensive assessment of functional and occupational roles using standardized and non-standardized evaluations tools. HUD-VASH is a collaborative program which pairs HUD's Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance with VA case management and supportive services designed for homeless Veterans and their families.

The HUD-VASH OT will perform a variety of interventions in the home or community of HUD- VASH Veterans including, but not limited to:

• Provide and train in use of adaptive equipment
• Assess and remediate fall risk
• Coordinate with specialty and primary care providers
• Assess barriers and supports specific to the home
• Skills training for ADLs and IADLs
• Promote and facilitate vocational and leisure participation
• Facilitate wellness groups and activities
• Identify specific supports or higher level of care when needed
• Facilitate aging in place supports
• Assessment of Veterans utilizing standardized and non-standardized tools including but not limited to VFAI; KATZ Index of Independence; Short Orientation-Memory-Concertation Test; SLUMS; MOCA; etc. to determine ADL and IADL deficits
• Demonstrate knowledge and ability to apply assessment techniques and treatment to evaluate human pathophysiology and dysfunction, that impact functioning and determining the appropriateness for independent living.
• Participates in the HUD-VASH program evaluation activities, including performance improvement initiatives, and in the planning, preparation and accreditation process for CARF and Joint Commission.
• Provide direct intervention with varying degrees of complexity to enhance safety, wellness, and performance in ADL, IADL, education, work, leisure, and social participation or HUD VASH Veterans.
• Coordinates care including serving as an advocate on behalf of the Veterans to ensure comprehensive service delivery, and linking and referring Veterans to the VA Medical Center (when eligible), VA Regional Offices and/or community agencies.
• Acts as a liaison between VA and community resources, such aging and disability resources; health care services; etc.
• Takes responsibility for improving professional skills, participating in planning and executing specific staff development projects, attending seminars and institutes, and participating in training programs of other disciplines as requested.
• Performs accountability functions: 1) documents all contacts with patients/families in the medical charts; 2) completes statistical and other reports in accordance with VA Medical Center and respective professional discipline service policies 3) enters treatment planning information in accordance with program expectations and Medical Center policy 4) participates in program peer to peer reviews 5) collects and enters data into VSSC/HOMES data reporting databases
• Adheres to all local policies regarding accountability, communicating daily/weekly/monthly schedules per local protocol, use of government vehicles, completion of mileage logs and leave protocol.
• Responsible for attending program and service specific meetings as identified by the Homeless Program Coordinator.
• Demonstrates the teaching skills required to provide education to patients, family members, caregivers, students and other healthcare professionals.
• Demonstrates ability to effectively communicate, both orally and in writing.
• Establishes and maintains contact with stakeholders involved in the Veterans care.
• Performs competent written documentation of initial examinations, home visit assessments, progress notes, and discharge summaries when indicated.
• Participates in interdisciplinary care planning/team conferences.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Required by the Position:

1. Knowledge of occupational therapy principles and techniques consistent with current clinical standards based on OT theory and evidenced 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.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• 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

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.]
  (1) 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
  (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

• 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.
• 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 as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

Grade Determinations: Occupational Therapist, GS-12
(1) 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.]
(2) Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to the [experience above, the candidate] must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
(a) 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.
(b) Ability to collaborate and communicate orally and in writing with all internal and external stakeholders.
(c) 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.
(d) Skill in procuring, fabricating, adjusting, adapting, and modifying orthoses, splints, and adaptive equipment for activities of daily living (inclusive of durable medical equipment).
(e) Ability to conduct OT related in-service and clinical training.

Preferred Experience: Experience working in community based settings, or with individuals experiencing homelessness preferred.

References: VA Handbook 5005; Part II, Appendix G14

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS12.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your application, resume, C.V., and/or other 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' Preference Note: Preference eligible candidates and other Veterans will be given preference when qualification of candidates are approximately equal for Title 38 positions in VHA. When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.