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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Major duties include but are not limited to:

• Provide patient care that is compassionate, appropriate and effective for the promotion of health and prevention of diseases in accordance with their professional standards.
• Performs all tests procedures and interprets the results of all tests. Plans and implements a comprehensive treatment plan.
• Reviews the intervention strategies and provides appropriate treatment and recommendations.
• Participates and suggests other disciplines/agencies interventions.
• Works with a high degree of independence.
• Recommends to VA medical facility director projected staffing needs, equipment and supply management, and other operational aspects of administering and managing a program.
• Responsible for leadership activities, planning and designing services within the Medical Center's primary function, directive services, integrating and coordinating services in accordance with the scope of service offered, and improving performance. Responsible for goals, priorities, policies, procedures, clinical programs and resource allocations pertaining to DRS. Decisions are made exercising wide latitude and independent judgment.
• Having a working knowledge of the principles of interdisciplinary rehabilitation to communicate pertinent Veteran care and service delivery issues.
• Responsible for establishing an organizational structure and an operating system that ensures the efficient and timely accomplishment of DRS goals and priorities. Incumbent will ensure that programs reflect and support the mission and priorities of the Medical Center.
• Responsible for preparation of annual reports, including budgetary planning, pertaining to the service.
• Evaluates and presents budgetary and space requirements of Division of Rehabilitation Service. Ensures allocation of financial, space, equipment, and human resources effectively within DRS in a manner which demonstrates commitment to quality health care delivery, improved productivity, technological advances and cost effectiveness.
• Supervises other medical officers, recreation therapist, rehabilitation supervisor, and administrative officer for DRS.
• Oversee the establishment of program monitors and outcome measurements within programs using data-driven quality assurance processes.
• Provides Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation treatment education to patients and families/significant others.
• Provides technical and clinical consultation to the professional staff and supervises research, education and training progress within the service.

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.

• 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 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.

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:
     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.
     • Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy and two (2) years of experience as an occupational therapist; OR
     • Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy and two (2) full years of graduate education in a related field; OR
     • Master's Degree or higher in occupational therapy. 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.
  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: Must possess a current NBCOT certification as an Occupational Therapist.
• 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.

• Education and/or Experience: Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 level and [directly related to the position being filled]. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include but are not limited to: serve as subject matter experts and as consultants to occupational therapists and other medical center staff in evaluating and treating patients in the areas of occupational therapy that are beyond the general practice of occupational therapy. Demonstrate skills and techniques for a specific patient population that has highly complex occupational and/or psychosocial impairments. Initiate, lead, and support research projects related to clinical needs. This may include grant writing, guiding others in the process, and direct clinical participation in research.
• GS-14 Supervisory Occupational Therapist Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition to the specialized experience requirement, candidates must demonstrate all the following knowledge, skills, and abilities.

1. 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.
2. Skill in interpersonal relationships and conflict resolution in dealing with employees, team leaders, and administrators.
3. 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.
4. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with a group of professional staff.
5. Ability to translate extensive rehabilitation knowledge into cogent and useful policy in complex facilities and/or across multiple sites.
6. Skill in providing clinical and administrative oversight [and supervision of] multidisciplinary rehabilitation programs in complex facilities and/or across multiple sites.
7. 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.

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.

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