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 position is open to Current Permanent Department of Veteran Affairs employees, Federal employees in the Competitive/Excepted service, and Health Profession Trainees as well as all U.S Citizens.

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In this position the Occupational Therapist/OT has skills and knowledge in techniques for applying care targeting an outpatient population (ortho, neuro, pain management, pre/post-surgical care, hand therapy, etc.) OTs practice independently and are responsible for comprehensive assessment of functional and occupational roles using standardized and non-standardized evaluation tools. He/she provides direct occupational therapy interventions and procedures with higher degrees of complexity. The OT embraces evidenced based practice standards in diagnosis, examination, management, intervention, treatment, and outcome measurement.

Duties may include but are not limited to:
Patient Care:

• Performs patient evaluations
• Veterans are scheduled for evaluation considering caseload complexity and acuity of medical condition. Coordinates Veteran schedule with other interdisciplinary team members.
• Recognizes the appropriateness of treatment based on indications, precautions, and contraindications (e.g. pharmacological) and uses professional judgement to initiate consultation to the appropriate provider.
• Assess the patient's medical conditions, functional capabilities, limitations, restrictions and rehabilitation potential.
• Establishes a care plan and administers a treatment program with specific goals according to the Veteran's capacity and tolerance.
• Exhibits comprehensive knowledge in the selection of appropriate equipment needed to substitute for loss or limitations of function for individuals they treat.

• Evaluation findings are used to develop and implement comprehensive patient treatment plans including objective, measurable goals and timeliness for completion. These goals are developed in collaboration with the patient, family and/or stakeholder input.
• Implements complex and innovative therapeutic techniques not limited to: Therapeutic media, lifestyle coping skills and modifications, complementary and alternative modalities (CAM), cognitive therapy and mobility training to maintain or achieve veteran's physical and/or emotional rehabilitation potential.
• Independently develops and implements comprehensive and advanced therapeutic programs and techniques.
• Recognizes and responds to adverse reactions and emergency situations of the patient during the session and modifies the plan of care. Documents treatment progression and/or modifications accordingly.
• Provides the equipment, materials, instruction, encouragement, or counseling necessary to promote functional mobility and activities performance.
• Demonstrates knowledge, experience and skills in the prescription, fitting, and training in the use of specialty equipment. This includes needs for orthotics, static and dynamic (custom and/or prefabricated), assistive technology, wheelchair mobility, lifts and lift systems, devices for activities of daily living, modalities (electrical stimulation, ultrasound, etc.), and other devices. May need consultation with more experienced clinician or clinical specialist, if necessary.
• Develops Home Programs for patients as indicated at discharge. Instructs significant others in ways to assist patient to carry out home program in the use of equipment and adaptive/assistive devices issued.

• Understands and adheres to department, program, and facility procedures.
• Receive and triage patient referrals/consults, patient self-referrals, adheres to consult compliance established guidelines and is knowledgeable of admission criteria for each program (inpatient/outpatient) for appropriate continuum of care placement.
• Provides relief coverage, as needed, in any PM&R program in the event of shortage of staff to maintain the continuum of patient care.
• Participates in update of evaluation forms and protocols to adequately meet the requirements of the program and types of patients in assigned clinical setting.

• Identifies learning activities for self and others. Participates and contributes to the advancements of knowledge and techniques related to specialty services and outpatient management and Occupational therapy via in-services and/or mentorship projects. Conducts in services for interdisciplinary team and other rehabilitation programs.
• Maintains current concepts and trends in Occupational therapy and evidence-based medicine/rehabilitation practices through literature reviews, study of current research, clinical practice, and through attendance to continuing education courses, conferences, and in-services.

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.

• 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.

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 and/or Experience: The individual must meet at least one of the following requirements below: 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 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 Master's Degree or higher in occupational therapy.
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).

Grandfathering Provision: All persons employed in VHA [in this occupational series or in another occupational series that are also performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of this] qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of this occupation. Employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:

1. They may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the full performance level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
2. If an OT who was retained under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee will lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.
3. OTs initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard, must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.

• Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 grade level and directly related to the position being filled; OR,
• Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree in occupational therapy or a directly related field; OR,
• Doctorate in occupational therapy.

• Knowledge of occupational therapy practice.
• Ability to administer/interpret evaluation findings to develop and coordinate intervention plans, including goals and methods of treatment.
• Ability to implement intervention plans directly or in collaboration with others.
• Skill in monitoring an individual's response to interventions and modify treatment plans and reevaluating as indicated.
• Ability to communicate and or collaborate with patients, family members, caregivers, interdisciplinary professionals and/or other individuals verbally and in writing.
• Knowledge of health and safety regulations to minimize risk in the provision of patient care and the environment of care.
• Knowledge of applicable regulations governing documentation, reimbursement and workload entry in accordance with established professional practice.

• 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.
• Ability to collaborate and communicate orally and in writing with all internal and external stakeholders.
• 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.
• Skill in procuring, fabricating, adjusting, adapting, and modifying orthoses, splints, and adaptive equipment for activities of daily living (inclusive of durable medical equipment).
• Ability to conduct OT related in-service and clinical training.

• Two or more years of experience in outpatient clinic setting.
• Experience in general and complex evaluations and treatment of upper extremity/hands to include basic splinting
• Experience in general and complex evaluations with skills/knowledge to establish treatment pans for multiple diagnosis (neuro, ortho, pain management, hand therapy, pre/post-surgical care, psycho-social etc.

• Up to 4-6 hours of the following: sitting, walking, standing, twisting, bending, stooping, reaching, reaching overhead, grasping and pinching with hands and fine manipulation, such as typing/keyboarding.
• Up to 1-2 hours of straight pulling, puling hand over hand, pushing, climbing, and kneeling.
• Required lifting light to moderate (up to 44 pounds) and carrying light to moderate (up to 44 pounds).
• Required functional hearing with/without hearing aids, Near vision correctable at 13-16", Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, the ability to use both eyes, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors.
• Use of fingers, both hands and use of both legs.
• Sitting is required for meetings, administrative work and occasionally driving motor vehicle most of the day. The ability to drive is required.
• The position demands significant physical stress and strain such as transferring patients, crouching and crawling on mats, and occasionally defending self against combative patients assigned to the incumbent.
• Work may require good physical health, normal use of arms and legs and good visual and auditory acuity, to evaluate and treat patients, and to use computer, keyboard, monitor, phone, etc.
• Work is performed in the clinics, wards, exercise areas, office, and conference rooms, occasionally in the home. May be exposed to infectious diseases, medical and psychiatric emergencies.

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.