Clarification from the agency

This position is open to all US citizens.

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• Performs evaluation appropriate to the patient's functional, physical and/or psycho-social status to establish a baseline level of functioning.
• Develops and carries out OT treatment plans with individuals and/or groups of patients to meet individual rehabilitation objectives. Treatment is provided in accordance with age and population specific standards.
• Has primary responsibility for planning, revising and implementing treatment programs based upon initial and interim evaluations.
• Documents patients progress in accordance with established policies and timelines.
• Provides appropriate adaptive or assistive equipment and/ or upper extremity support as needed.
• Adapts activities and environment to improve patients' function, safety and quality of life.
• Educates patients, caregivers and other staff in purposes and procedures for adaptations.
• Attends and actively participates in conferences, rounds, etc. as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Maintains clinic and equipment in a safe and orderly manner in accordance with safety and infection control policies, Joint Commission/CARF regulations and other relevant regulatory policies.
• Submits timely, accurate initial evaluations, progress notes, re-evaluations, and discharge summaries on individual patients assigned, and modifies treatment programs, as indicated.
• Attends staff meetings; represents the occupational therapy section at any appropriate intradisciplinary team meetings; prepares and presents in-service training on occupational therapy, as assigned.
• Recommends requisition of equipment and supplies and reports needed equipment repairs to the PM&R Coordinator and/or Secretary. Recommends, modifies, and fabricates adaptive equipment as needed by disabled patients in their normal activities of daily living.
• Supervises assigned occupational therapy students by fulfilling all American Occupational Therapy Association training requirements, provides accurate evaluation of student performance, and schedules elective training experiences for the student. Works with and/or supervises therapy assistants, therapy aids, and volunteers assigned to the occupational therapy section.
• Schedules his/her patients for treatment, considering priority and frequency of care and coordinates schedules with other members of the treatment team. Flexibility of schedule must be maintained to allow for unscheduled patients and for family conference. - Maintains accurate records, attendance, progress, and final disposition, and submits necessary monthly and quarterly information in a timely and accurate manner, Incumbent attends and participates in all departmental staff meetings and training session. Incumbent plans and presents in-service education programs, when requested, to the OT section, PM&R staff, and other services, as appropriate.
• Responsible for care, upkeep, and sanitation of equipment used and may perform the regular duties of a higher-level therapist in his/her absence.
• Performs as a Student Clinical Training Supervisor, which includes planning, scheduling, coordinating, evaluating, and implementing the student affiliation program.
• Responsible for student orientation, instruction, and counseling and acts as a liaison with affiliated colleges and universities, participation with faculty members in evaluation and revision of the program and curriculum.
• Reviews the objectives and goals of the student's affiliations and plans learning experiences accordingly; incumbent evaluates each student's performance and participates in school/medical center conferences regarding students or curriculum.
• Works independently. He/she is responsible for the occupational therapy programs and clinics to which he/she is assigned and confers with supervisor at periodic intervals for the purpose of keeping him/her informed of problem cases, workload, and progress reports.

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.
• 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

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

a. Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a)).

b. 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.

[c. 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.

[d. Certification. Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an OT.]

[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.

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.

References: VA Handbook 5005/127 PART II APPENDIX G14The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-09 to GS-12.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and handbook 5019. Must be able to lift, push, stoop, squat, kneel, crouch and reach.

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.