Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to the public. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• The Occupational Therapist must demonstrate the ability to apply advanced clinical knowledge, theories, and techniques to a full range of patient populations although this position will primarily focus on outpatient Occupational Therapy care.
• Occupational Therapists services may be provided for Acute Medical/Surgical and Intensive Care, Inpatient Rehabilitation, Outpatient including Durable Medical Equipment, Specialty Clinics such as Amputee, Spinal Cord Injury/Disorders, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Muscular Sclerosis, Community Living Center, and Rehab Power Mobility.
• Independently assesses the veterans Occupational Profile providing an understanding of the client occupational history, experiences, patterns of daily living, interests, values, and needs, motor and processing skills and communication/interaction.
• Develops an intervention plan based on evaluation findings, OT theory and evidence-based practice.
• Offers treatment interventions tailored to the client's abilities/needs and design to promote, modify, maintain, or restore occupational performance.
• Reevaluates and modifies plans as needed to achieve targeted outcomes.
• Determines the need for continuation, discontinuation, or referral.
• Oversees treatment provided by staff occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants (COTA).
• Develops and coordinate educational materials for the caregiver of the disabled veteran to prevent premature institutionalization and promote safety in the home environment.
• Monitors currently used assessments/treatment methods and revise as necessary to reflect current methodology and Joint Commission, AOTA, State licensure, and other appropriate regulating bodies' standards.
• Demonstrates ability to facilitate safe patient assisted transfers to and from chair, bed, toilet, and car.
• Demonstrates physical ability to facilitate patient neuro-motor function using hands-on techniques.
• Practice autonomously, making recommendations and referrals to other medical specialties/services as clinically indicated during ongoing assessment of patients under their care.
• Assists the OT Supervisor in utilization review activities, quality improvement, and other administrative reporting as necessary.
• Carries out delegated responsibilities on medical center-wide, division-wide or program-wide committees, special projects, and tasks.
• Assists with determining equipment needs on an annual basis and submits appropriate requests.
• Determines quarterly supply needs and orders through the appropriate channels considering most cost effective agreements/government contracts.
• Oversees the inventory of supplies and equipment as appropriate to meet the demands of the section.
• Maintains clinic areas, equipment, and supplies in a clean and organized manner to promote quality treatment in a safe and functionally appropriate environment.
• Serves as active participant in quality improvement programs. Contribute to interdisciplinary assessments and care plans.
• Collaborates with staff throughout the medical center to create an environment that will maximize the veterans functional abilities and their qualities of life.
• Other duties as assigned.

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 / 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

• English Proficiency Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• Citizenship Must 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).

• The individual must meet at least one of the following requirements:
  1. 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 American Occupational Therapy Association (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.
  2. 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.
  3. Master's Degree or higher in occupational therapy.
• Individuals must be graduates of a degree program in occupational therapy approved by the ACOTE or predecessor organizations. This includes 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 education requirements if they have a current, full, active, and unrestricted license referred to in the certification section of this announcement.

• Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an Occupational Therapist.

• 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.

• Experience:
  • Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level and directly related to the position being filled.

• In addition to one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level and directly related to the position being filled, one of the following must be met:
  • A minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice directly in the advanced practice area. This time must be within the past five years.
  • Certification in an area recognized by the AOTA.
  • Completion of a fellowship/residency or advanced degree program in the advanced practice area.
  • An additional advanced degree in a related field.

• Knowledge of contemporary occupational therapy across multiple areas of practice.
• Ability to provide clinical guidance in the advanced practice area to other OT practitioners.
• Knowledge of advanced specialized evaluation, interventions and services to independently develop treatment strategies for area of specialization.
• Skill in developing protocols and procedures for intervention programs based on current occupational therapy theory, recent research, and practice.
• Ability to provide consultation to other health care practitioners and outside groups about occupational therapy scope of practice for area of specialization.
• Ability to implement, revise/update evidence based occupational therapy services and programming in area of specialization.

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.