Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. | Veterans' Preference does not apply to current Federal employees.

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Below are the listed duties of a GS-08 OTA

Clinical Duties

• Receives and interprets requests or instructions for procedures from the Occupational Therapist or physician.
• Plans and implements specialized treatment programs and applies occupational therapy procedures to patients under the general supervision of an Occupational Therapist.
• Completes a preliminary review/examination of patient data (including medical history), compiles and organizes pertinent information, and develops/presents a patient profile to be used in assessing patient's status.
• Assists with or renders a course of treatment based on the assessed needs of the patient, developing progressive types of occupational therapy treatment programs.
• Assists therapist in development of a comprehensive specialized treatment plan that includes long- and short-term goals.
• Persuades and motivates veterans and family members to participate in treatment plans and comply with indicated regimens and post-discharge activities.
• Interacts with the patient and family regarding goals for treatment.
• Assists in the performance of, or independently performs, highly specialized and diversified treatment procedures, with a focus on Whole Health/Wellness, based on the assessed needs of the patient.
• Monitors and records patient condition during treatment.
• Utilizes the full range of therapy modalities.
• Instructs motivates, and assists patients to learn activities of daily living and improve functional activities.
• Prepares and maintains appropriate equipment and supplies required for these treatments.
• Varies procedures or positions to adjust for veterans' medical conditions.
• Modifies intervention environment, tools, materials, and activities in response to each veteran's response to treatment.
• With prior approval of the therapist, adapts the technical procedures and approaches involving new and unusual treatment and rehabilitation objectives to meet the individual veteran's needs.
• Modifies or adapts specialized treatment approaches within the scope of the established treatment plan to reflect the changing needs of the veteran.
• Prepares and presents written and oral reports for the ward physician, physiatrist, nursing staff, fellow therapists and all other professionals concerned with the patient's care.
• Participates in family and multidisciplinary team meetings to identify patient's needs, report on patient's goals and progress and to assist in planning patient's treatment program

• Conducts record keeping related to patient care documentation and quality improvement data collection.
• Schedules appointments for assigned patients as needed including travel arrangements.
• Responsible for collection and reporting of QI data as requested by Supervisor, Occupational Therapy Section.

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

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.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

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.
• Education: Individuals must meet at least one of the requirements below:
  • Associate's or higher degree in occupational therapy from a college or university accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).
  • Completion of a military training program in an OTA program accredited by the ACOTE.
• Certification:
  • OTAs must have written documentation that they have passed the entry-level certification examination for OTAs administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).
• Licensure:
  • OTAs must hold a full, current, and unrestricted state license to practice occupational therapy in a State, Territory, a Commonwealth of the United States (i.e. Puerto Rico) or in the District of Columbia.
• Exceptions for Non-Certified or Non-Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant.
  • OTAs who graduated from an ACOTE approved occupational therapy assistant program but do not possess the NBCOT certification and/or licensure requirements, may be appointed, pending licensure and/or NBCOT certification, on a full-time temporary appointment under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(a)(1)(B) and not to exceed two years in accordance with the timeframe in 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2).
  • OTAs may only be appointed at the entry grade level and may not be promoted/converted until licensure and/or certification are obtained.
• English Language Proficiency. OTA candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English [in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

• Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. None.

• Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
  • Knowledge of evidence-based occupational therapy practice.
  • Knowledge of basic group techniques and interpersonal communication
  • Skill in written communication to document data, progress/change in status, discharge status, and patient or caregiver education.
  • Skill in oral communication to document data, progress/change in status, discharge status, and patient or caregiver education.
  • Ability to assist in the development of treatment goals/objectives.
  • Ability to implement a patient care plan incorporating activity analysis theory

• Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
  • Skill in promoting occupational therapy services effectively, providing training and interventions within the assigned areas
  • Ability to perform in depth chart review to identify treatment goals and implement treatment plans.
  • Ability to use problem-solving skills when providing therapeutic interventions for patients.
  • Ability to provide multi-step instructions to patients, caregivers and other health care professionals adapting instructions to meet the learning needs of the individual.

• Experience. One year of creditable experience comparable to the next lower grade level.
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
  • Ability to implement delegated assessments.
  • Ability to provide reports of observations and patient performance.
  • Ability to use complex therapeutic techniques and interventions, utilizing problem-solving skills to maximize patient's functional status.
  • Ability to modify therapeutic interventions for simple and complex cases with a wide range of diagnoses and disabilities.
  • Ability to recommend complex adaptive and assistive devices and durable medical equipment.
  • Ability to consult with health care practitioners about the patient's treatment plan and the occupational therapy scope of practice and services.

• One year of experience in acute care and/or inpatient rehabilitation
• Familiarity with Seating & Position and/or working with powered mobility devices such as powered wheelchair or scooters

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.