Clarification from the agency

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

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Duties are but not limited to:

The Supervisory Occupational Therapist provides direct supervision to diverse rehabilitation staff (OT, KT, PT) in Mental Health, comprehensive homeless programs, Wellness and Nutrition, Yoga, M.O.V.E. programs, Sensory Integration/Defensiveness, Social Skills Training, cranial electrotherapy stimulation, cognitive and psychological impairments, Substance Abuse, Serious Mental Illness and PTSD management, SCI/D Telerehabilitation, neurodegenerative disease management (i.e., Spinal Cord Injury/Diseases, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Multiple Sclerosis (MS)), Adaptive Sports programs (SCI), wheelchair prescription, seating and mobility and durable medical equipment issuance. The programs indicated provide inpatient and outpatient Interdisciplinary Veteran care to specialty populations in PM&R Mental Health, Spinal Cord Injury/Diseases (SCI/D), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), and Wheeled and Power Mobility programs. The Program I OT Supervisor plans, develops, monitors, and evaluates effectiveness of new and existing patient care programs, and is responsible for the outcomes and level of work performed.

Incumbent works under the general direction of the Chief of PM&R Service. Supervisory role includes supervision of Rehabilitation Coordinators, Lead Therapists, Staff Therapist, trainees, volunteers and others. Supervises administrative staff in the absence of the PM&R Chief and/or Administrative Officer (AO). Works with supervisors from other disciplines to coordinate and develop specific programs service goals. He/she is responsible for developing specific goals and procedures and directing therapy services in such a manner as to make optimal use of the staff, resources and space to provide therapy services according to the individual needs of patients and other customers.

Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 8am- 4:30pm, Occasional weekends
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 55252-F
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.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• 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

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.
• 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.

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).

Supervisory Occupational Therapist, GS-14:
Education, Experience, and Licensure. Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 level and [directly related to the position being filled.

Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs:

a. Knowledge of evidence-based practices and clinical practice guidelines in multiple professional areas to use these resources to guide the program staff in providing clinically appropriate treatment interventions.
b. Skill in interpersonal relationships and conflict resolution in dealing with employees, team leaders, and administrators.
c. Ability to manage [resources] for a large, integrated service including not only occupational therapy, but also other focused rehabilitation, ancillary, or other health care services.
d. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with a group of professional staff.
e. Ability to translate extensive rehabilitation knowledge into cogent and useful policy in complex facilities and/or across multiple sites.
f. Skill in providing clinical and administrative oversight [and supervision of multidisciplinary rehabilitation programs in complex facilities and/or across multiple sites.
g. Ability to collaborate with strategic planning committees at local, VISN or national levels for new ventures addressing patient care delivery systems, facilities management, and system reorganizations.

Assignment. [The supervisory OT, service care line manager or service chief is responsible for the supervision, administrative management, and direction of an occupational therapy program or equivalent service-level department which typically consists of a multi-discipline staff and/or multiple facilities that may be separated geographically. The incumbent provides supervision of clinical and training programs, including the overall technical oversight of the OT practitioners whom they supervise. They are responsible for the development and implementation of policies and procedures that address focused clinical needs and the overall services provided within the section or service. They provide a Veteran/client centered environment while enhancing staff engagement. OTs at this level demonstrate a great deal of autonomy in performing responsibilities that include, but are not limited to, assigning work to employees, monitoring workload and clinical volume, reviewing work of employees to assure accuracy and validity of submissions, assuring adequate clinical staffing, imposing disciplinary measures, and monitoring clinical privileges. The OT supervisor, service care line manager or service chief serves as an advocate and resource consultant to the therapy staff and facility-at- large through communication with other departments, physicians, and external agencies. They select and monitor quality and performance measures for process improvement and patient satisfaction; obtain data from national and local databases; review and analyze various reports and complex data, complete trend analysis relating to quality improvement to ensure desired outcomes; monitors clinical service's compliance with the standards of external bodies and accrediting agencies; and recommends and assures remedial action. This level of assignment is typically located at VA medical centers or healthcare systems that are complex in nature and are affiliated with local colleges and universities.

Preferred Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in leadership, management, coordination and/or supervision and professional knowledge of current rehabilitation practices of a multiple disciplinary team (to include but not limited to: PT, KT, OT, Recreation Therapy, Creative Arts, Physiatry, Speech, etc.) with progressive leadership experience.
• Experience promoting, coordinating and/or performing evaluations for patients with acute and/or chronic injuries, to include preventive mental health and physical health for age ranging from 18 to older. Experience and/or knowledge in patient care through telerehabilitation technology advancements.
• Experience and expertise to work with OEF/OIF service members and/or veterans and families who are experiencing a wide range of complicated mental, emotional, behavioral, physical, psychosocial, and environmental problems; providing advice and counseling; resolving complaints and enhancing customer satisfaction.
• Experience serving on committees, work groups, and task forces; preparing program reports, presenting briefings, findings and recommendations; setting priorities, assigning tasks, coordinating operations, meeting deadlines; reviewing policies and developing procedures.
• Experience in understanding and implementation of data systems to track service activities including visits, referrals, patient demographics, equipment utilization, budget, resources needs, patient satisfaction, clinical guidelines, protocols and monitoring performance and outcome measures.
• Experience providing guidance to staff, and knowledge in planning and directing recruitment, orientation, competencies, assessing training needs, assignment of work; performance evaluations; selection of staff; recommendation of awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-14.

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.

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

1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility.

2. All other VA employees.

3. Current permanent Federal employees of other agencies.

4. All other applicants.

Note: Veterans' Preference is not applicable to VA employees or employees of other Federal agencies.