Clarification from the agency

This job is open to current permanent Department of Veterans Affairs employees, current permanent Federal employees of the other agencies and all US Citizens. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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The Occupational Therapist carries responsibility for providing Occupational Therapy evaluation and treatment services to the veteran population enrolled at the Alexandria Veterans Medical Center (VAMC) or though the Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) served though Alexandria according to the Alexandria VAMC mission and the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation guidelines. The therapist will provide coverage of the services provided by Occupational Therapy in the acute care, outpatient, mental health, and extended care settings as needed. These services may include any one, or a combination of, the following: providing professional clinical services, carrying out education and training activities, clinical consultation, supervision, and administration. Duties include but not limited to:

• Based on findings from a thorough evaluation, plans an effective goal-directed treatment plan that is appropriate and indicated for the disability/condition/issue being treated. Implements the treatment plan, modifying the plan as necessary, to achieve predetermined goals.
• Assists OT Supervisor in the development and maintaining of complex/advanced treatment programs and/or clinics.
• Works closely with the interdisciplinary team in the planning and implementation of the client's treatment program.

• Collaborates with staff throughout the medical center to create an environment that will maximize the veteran's functional abilities and their quality of life.
• Works effectively with treatment team and other health care providers in coordinating the patient's total care. Serves as full team member on assigned wards.
• Serves as active participant in quality improvement programs.
• Contribute to interdisciplinary assessments (i.e., FIM, TBI, DME - Durable Medical Equipment Committee, etc.) and care plans.
• Assists with the Performance Improvement efforts for the occupational therapy section, following activities that detect and remedy deficiencies in process and outcome of OT services.
• Fosters an environment that values and respects individual differences. Takes an active role in prevention of harassment behavior and adheres to policies.
• Helps resolve patient issues/complaints at the lowest level and refers unresolved grievances and complaints to appropriate sources.
• Follows policies and procedures (operational, privacy, IT security, etc.). Promotes and ensures a safe work environment. Follows established follows time, attendance, and leave procedures.
• Carries out ongoing personal development to ensure current knowledge in their work position and in the profession of OT. Maintains and displays current knowledge by attending seminars, courses and actively reviewing professional journals.
• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills as identified in the Competence Assessment Checklist appropriate for the position.
• Promotes Occupational Therapy within the facility.
• Completes all VAMC mandatory training in a timely manner.
• Effectively demonstrates knowledge and skills in interpersonal relations, especially the ability to relate to internal and external customers appropriately and courteously
• Completes job assignments, including the knowledge and skills detailed in the Age Specific Competencies checklist (if applicable), and safely and correctly operate equipment necessary to complete the duties of the position.
• Maintains clinic areas, equipment and supplies in a clean and organized manner to promote quality treatment in a safe and functionally appropriate environment.
• Serves management's goal of optimum productivity and adjusts services to meet changing needs of the veterans served in various programs.
• Carries out ongoing personal development to ensure current knowledge in their work position and in the profession of OT. Maintains and displays current knowledge by attending seminars, courses and actively reviewing professional journals.

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.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
• 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:
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.
(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.

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.

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.
(1) 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. 7405c 2.
(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.
(3) A graduate OT may provide care only under the direct supervision of a licensed OT who meets all state regulatory requirements.
(4) Temporary graduate OT appointments may not be extended beyond two years, or converted to a new temporary appointment.

Failure to Obtain Licensure/Certification. In all cases, graduate OTs must actively pursue obtaining required credentials (i.e., NBCOT certification and/or state licensure) from the date of their appointment.

Grandfathering Provision. 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.

Occupational Therapist, GS-9
Education, Experience, or Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements.

Occupational Therapist, GS-11
Education, Experience, or Licensure.
(a) Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 grade level and directly related to the position being filled; or
(b) Three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a degree in occupational therapy or a directly related field; or
(c) Doctorate in occupational therapy.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the [experience or education above, the candidate] must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
(a) Knowledge of occupational therapy practice.
(b) Ability to administer/interpret evaluation findings to develop and coordinate intervention plans, including goals and methods of treatment.
(c) Ability to implement intervention plans directly or in collaboration with others.
(d) Skill in monitoring an individual's response to interventions and modify treatment plans and reevaluating as indicated.
(e) Ability to communicate and or collaborate with patients, family members, caregivers, interdisciplinary professionals and/or other individuals verbally and in writing.
(f) Knowledge of health and safety regulations to minimize risk in the provision of patient care and the environment of care.
(g) Knowledge of applicable regulations governing documentation, reimbursement and workload entry in accordance with established professional practice.

Occupational Therapist, GS-12
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.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the [experience or education 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.

Preferred Experience:

• 3+ years of experience
• Experience working with manual wheelchairs and power mobility.
• ATP certification or actively seeking ATP training for advanced wheelchair knowledge.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Area of Consideration: - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:

• Current permanent VA employees of the facility
• All other VA employees
• Current permanent Federal employees of other agencies
• All other applicants