Videos

The Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation HCG at the Long Beach VA Hospital is seeking an occupational therapist. The programs served by occupational therapy at this level may involve being a part of multidisciplinary or interprofessional teams including the Community Living Center (CLC), Acute Rehab Unit, Medical/Surgery Units, mental health or outpatient teams such as in Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Mental Health Programs and Home Based Primary Care (HBPC).

A few of the main scope of assigned duties include: (but not limited to)

• Implements a full range of occupational therapy evaluations and treatments for patients with multiple physical and occupational performance related needs, including telehealth.
• Responsible for designing and carrying out treatment plans and interventions, and is an active participant with the OT department and PM&R HCG.
• Routinely reviews and incorporates new research findings in the development of programming to meet the needs of the patients served in collaboration with the OT Specialists and Supervisor and physician leads.
• Modifies and updates treatment plans in collaboration with the patient and provider when necessary.
• Regularly re-evaluates patient performance with modifications to treatment based on progress made, medical condition, and situational factors such as discharge plan, interdisciplinary treatment team goals, tolerance to treatment and patient input.
• Documents initial evaluations, daily notes, progress notes, re-evaluations and discharge planning in a timely, concise manner, per section and professional documentation requirements and specifications. Complies with professional, department and facility guidelines for content and timeliness in completion of required patient documentation including completion of encounters.
• Maintains a safe treatment environment, minimizes risk of harm to self and customers by avoiding foreseeable risks, practicing within professional and department standards of care and employing effective clinical reasoning to safeguard patient's physical and emotional status.
• Orients patients, families, residents, allied health personnel, students, and volunteers to the purpose and function of occupational therapy, reflective of current VA and professional organization doctrines.
• Meets and follows VA regulations and conduct and performance policies regarding general and professional, as well as OT state regulations, professional standards of practice, determined competency levels and professional ethical guidelines. Promptly corrects own conduct/behavior or performance upon self-awareness or when directed by supervisor to meet standards or written expectations according to VA guidelines and professional standards of practice and code of ethics.

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. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

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.
• English Proficiency. Candidates 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.
    • 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.
• Exceptions for the Graduate Occupational Therapist.
  • OT graduates from an approved occupational therapy program who otherwise meet the minimum qualification requirements, but who do not possess NBCOT certification and/or state licensure, may be appointed, pending certification and/or licensure, as a graduate OT on a full-time temporary appointment not-to-exceed two years under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2).
  • Graduate OTs may only be appointed at the GS-9 grade level and may not be promoted/converted to the GS-11 level until licensure and/or certification is obtained. For grades levels at or above the developmental GS-11 grade level, the OT must be certified and licensed.
  • A graduate OT may provide care only under the direct supervision of a licensed OT who meets all state regulatory requirements.
  • Temporary graduate OT appointments may not be extended beyond two years, or converted to a new temporary appointment.

1. Education, Experience, or Licensure. None above the basic requirements.

1. Education, Experience, or 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.
2. 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 practice.
   • Ability to administer/interpret evaluation findings to develop and coordinate intervention plans, including goals and methods of treatment.
   • Ability to implement intervention plans directly or in collaboration with others.
   • Skill in monitoring an individual's response to interventions and modify treatment plans and reevaluating as indicated.
   • Ability to communicate and or collaborate with patients, family members, caregivers, interdisciplinary professionals and/or other individuals verbally and in writing.
   • Knowledge of health and safety regulations to minimize risk in the provision of patient care and the environment of care.
   • Knowledge of applicable regulations governing documentation, reimbursement and workload entry in accordance with established professional practice.

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:
   • 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.

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.