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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• Serves as the Occupational Therapy Caregiver Program clinical specialist assigned to the Salisbury VA Healthcare System within the CSP, which provides a state-of-the-art continuum of services, education and resources to caregivers of Veterans with complex needs, as a member of the CSP interdisciplinary team
• Advises and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams throughout the medical center on caregiver issues
• Creates educational tools, develops programs and implement straining focused on specific caregiver needs/issues
• Provides education and in-service training to VAMC employees, Veterans, families and caregivers. Provides ongoing consultation and support to colleagues regarding caregiver support
• Develops and facilitates caregiver support groups (face-to-face or VANTS telephone line) and educational programs
• Distributes educational materials provided by VA, local, state and national caregiver organizations
• Oversees occupational therapy and medical students as assigned
• Conducts caregiver and family clinical interventions to facilitate the identification of caregiver stress, psychiatric illness, emotional distress and social needs as treatment issues
• Collaborates with the patient aligned care team, mental health and geriatric primary care clinicians to provide Veteran and staff education on caregiver issues
• Provides outreach presentations to community social service agencies, military Guard and Reserve units, Veteran Service organizations and other groups on VA caregiver benefits, programs and services
• Assesses functional abilities by conducting physical and cognitive assessments
• Independently administers and interprets recognized tests and measurements to determine baseline level of functioning and treatment applications which will enable patients to achieve valued functional outcomes
• Documents results timely and appropriately
• Facilitates groups, provides education, conducts home visits
• Educates patient and caregiver in the proper application/installation/use for a specific device
• Monitors patient's response to program, summarizes and analyzes patient's performance, and modifies program and goals when necessary to meet patient's needs as situations and performance changes in order to attain projected functional outcomes
• Regularly writes progress notes in the electronic record evaluating patient's response to treatment, analyzing treatment plans, progress, symptoms, attitudes, and/or reactions
• In the performance of duties, the incumbent may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles
• Executes clinical position responsibilities that demonstrates leadership, experience, and creative approaches to management of complex patient level of care determinations

Work Schedule: 8:00a - 4:30p
Telework: Ad-hoc
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

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.
• 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.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• 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.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

• Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States
• 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.
• Certification. Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an OT.
• 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).

This position will require the driving of a government vehicle for travel. Applicants for positions that require them to operate a Motor Vehicle must:

• Have a valid license
• Have a safe driving record
• Demonstrate they are medically qualified to operate the vehicle. If their occupation would not typically require a physical exam but they are considered "incidental drivers", they must have a physical exam prior to FJO.

Grade Determination
GS-12: Experience. Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at the GS-11 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:
(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

Licensure: Must currently possess a full, current, and unrestricted license at the GS-12 level and must possess a current NBCOT certification as an OT.

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.