Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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**THIS POSITION IS ONLY OPEN TO CURRENT VA/ FEDERAL EMPLOYEES**

FUNCTIONS:
I. Clinical (75%)
The duties and responsibilities of the Occupational Therapist Section Chief include but are not limited to the following:
- Provides Occupational Therapy evaluation and treatments on a regular basis for a variety of VAMC patients. Especially when areas where staffing is not adequate to meet the patient needs.
- Serves as liaison to medical center staff and university affiliated staff as to programs and services that are available from Occupational Therapy.
- Performs bi-annual peer reviews and analyzes data for the Occupational Therapy department.
- Oversees the QA program for Occupational Therapy for CBOC clinics Cobb, Pike, Carrollton and CLC areas. Maintaining the records and incorporating new requirements of JCAHO into the current programs.
- Monitors workload for on a departmental and therapist level to ensure patient and staff needs are being met.
- Responsible for ensuring that VA scheduling mandate is met. If needed, managing Electronic Wait List (EWL) and community care consults
- Evaluates/review HH documentation to determine need for additional therapy, and entering this for MD approval. Ordering all equipment recommended by HH therapist.
- Completes monthly We Care interviews with patients and staff to monitor VA effectiveness with consumers.
- Responsible for participating and contributing to the advancement of knowledge and techniques related to Occupational Therapy and other related topics.
- Responsible for maintaining open communication with patients, families, Medical Center staff and others.
- Seeks clarification, listens, and conveys information clearly, in written and verbal forms.

II. Administrative (25%)
- Performs a full range of supervisory duties which include: interviewing candidates, recommending appointment, advancements, and promotions and taking disciplinary action when indicated.
- Implements performance standards based on position descriptions and functional statements and conducts annual performance reviews.
- Organizes and supervises OT at CBOC Pike, Cobb, Carrollton and CLC Trinka Davis.
- Guides and manages clinics in respect to training, work assignments, performance evaluations, conducts and patient welfare.
- Coordinates schedules of therapy staff leave requested and approval of same assuring adequate clinic staffing.
- Ensures consults are handled in the most expeditious manner based upon acuity of need.
- Makes recommendations for equipment and budgetary needs based up the needs of the OT section and CLC locations.
- Assists with the development of policy and procedures for Occupational Therapy.
- Oversees access and consult/encounter completion.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 51897F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

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.
• 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).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:
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)).
Education.(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.
English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
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.

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).

Must pass a background check.

Grade Requirements:
GS-12 Occupational Therapist
Experience/Education and Licensure. Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level and directly related to the position being filled.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
1. Ability to balance multiple responsibilities, set priorities, delegate tasks, meet multiple deadlines, analyze organizational problems, and develop and implement effective solutions.
2. Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems to develop and implement solutions that result in efficient operations and use data effectively to manage workload, quality performance, and productivity within the service.
3. Skill in dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers to include conflict resolution.
4. Ability to utilize evidence-based practices and clinical practice guidelines in a professional area and to guide the staff in applying these tools.

Assignments. [Supervisory OTs at this level are generally found at complex facilities. The supervisory occupational therapist is responsible for the supervision, administrative management and direction of the occupational therapy program in an OT section or equivalent work group. They have oversight for planning and directing the staff assignments in a variety of clinical settings. The supervisory OT provides a Veteran/client centered environment while enhancing staff engagement. Typical duties include: assigning work; monitoring clinical performance; resolving staff conflicts; identifying continuing education and training needs; and preparing performance standards and ratings. They interview candidates for positions; recommend appointments, advancements, or when appropriate, disciplinary actions; administer leave; and coordinate staffing needs. Supervisory OTs may provide occupational therapy and have capacity to care for more complex patients. They develop/initiate new treatment programs which integrate outcomes and advancements in practice from current research findings. The supervisory OT serves as an instructor in the facility's in-service clinical training program. They serve as an advocate and resource consultant to the therapy staff and facility-at large through communication with other departments, physicians, external agencies and other groups regarding programs and operation of the occupational therapy section.]

The full performance level of an Occupational Therapist is a GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a GS-13.

Preferred Experience:
1) The Hiring Manager has requested at least 5 years of experience as an Occupational Therapist and must currently be at the GS-12 level.
2) The Hiring Manager requests at least 1-2 years of Supervisory experience.

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.