Clarification from the agency

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The Occupational Therapist is considered the subject matter expert in occupational therapy and serves as a consultant within the medical center in evaluating and treating patients in occupational therapy. The incumbent is assigned administrative responsibility for assessing, planning, evaluating and delivering care within the Spinal. Cord Injury (SCI) Program, Community Living Center (CLCs), Short Term Rehab, Home Based Primary Care and other inpatient and outpatient sections of VAHVHCS. The incumbent has advanced knowledge in contemporary occupational therapy across multiple areas of practice and is able to provide clinical guidance to staff OTs and OTAs. The incumbent is able to monitor and evaluate clinically appropriate treatment programs with autonomy. The therapist is designated as 100% clinical, with productivity within the 80-90% range.

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.

Duties may include but are not limited to:

1. Independently provides assessment and treatment interventions to inpatients and outpatients received through
healthcare provider referrals.
2. Serves as a consultant to other rehabilitation staff as well as interdepartmentally within the medical center.
3. Takes a lead role to solve scheduling and patient care challenges within the occupational therapy department.
4. Performs duties/activities of a staff OT with a great deal of expertise and autonomy. Consults with staff
physicians through attendance at unit Huddles, Team meetings, and consultation basis.
5. An extensive knowledge of Occupational Therapy which is acquired through a combination of formal
education and experience is required. This knowledge encompasses all phases of the rehabilitation process at a level where s/he functions as an Occupational Therapist. Included are Prosthetics Orthotics, adaptive equipment, Architectural Barriers and other adaptive devices necessary for activities of daily living.
6. Evaluates patients according to diagnosis and knowledge of the disease process selecting appropriate
techniques and demonstrating a high level of proficiency in use of tools and evaluation methods. Incorporates evidenced based practice and objective outcome measures within evaluations.
7. Interprets assessment findings and other pertinent information consistently with a high degree of accuracy.
8. Establishes and implements an evidenced based, goal-oriented individualized Occupational Therapy program for patients.
9. Reassesses and modifies the treatment program as indicated and identifies changes in patient condition with a high degree of accuracy.
10. Provides highly effective patient and family education and provides home programs as appropriate to the patient's Occupational Therapy/AOL needs.
11. Reports and documents with a high degree of professionalism and effectiveness on a timely basis according to VA, VISN, VA HVHCS, product line, program and professional standards. Meets all Pl and accrediting
requirements (JCAHO, CARF, etc. as applicable.)
12. Assesses need for any adaptive devices and provides training/education to patients, staff and significant others with a high degree of proficiency.
13. Assesses need and recommends orthotic equipment and provides highly appropriate training and education.
14. Provides technical supervision for OT Assistants in patient evaluation, treatment and setting goals.
15. Mentors entrance level Occupational Therapy students with patient evaluation, treatment and setting goals.
16. May be asked to cover during WHEN (weekend/holidays/evening/nights) hours based on rehab program needs.
17. May be required to report to any of the Clinical Based Outpatient Clinics to provide coverage or services related to PMRS programming.
18. The position requires that the incumbent must possess a valid driver's license.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 49564F

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.
• 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: Be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).
• English Language Proficiency. Occupational Therapists must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• Education and/or Experience. The individual must meet at least one of the following requirements below:
  • 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

PLEASE 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-Documentation Supplied. Candidates must possess a current National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification as an OT.
• State Licensure-Documentation Supplied.. 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.

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 REQUIREMENTS: In addition to the Basic Requirements provided in paragraph 4 of the Veterans Health Administration - Occupational Therapist Qualification Standard - GS-0631 (formerly VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G14), the following are the grade requirements.

Grade Determinations for Occupational Therapist GS-12:

• GS-12 Experience, Education, AND Licensure: In addition to the Basic Requirements, an Occupational Therapist at the full performance GS-12 level MUST be certified, licensed, AND possess at least one (1) year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level directly related to the position being filled.

• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
  • 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.

References: Veterans Health Administration - Occupational Therapist Qualification Standard - GS-0631 (formerly VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G14) - December 13, 2019.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.

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.