Clarification from the agency

This job is open to current permanent VA Nationwide employees, Federal employees of other Agencies, VHA HPTs (if applicable), and U.S. 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 at this level is an independent practice professional who is responsible for evaluating patients and establishing and executing interventional treatment plans that include a full range of treatment procedures and modalities.

The duties of the Occupational Therapist include but are not limited to the following:

Clinical
1. Independently evaluate patients using standard and non-standard techniques to identify specific Occupational Therapy treatment problems.
2. Independently perform tests and measurements of the patient's condition and interprets results of tests and measurements of the patient's condition for use in establishing a diagnosis within the scope of occupational therapy, developing the treatment plan, modifying the treatment plan, and evaluating results of treatment.
3. Establishes short term and long-term Occupational Therapy clinically appropriate patient treatment goals and implement treatment programs to meet these goals.
4. Frequently assesses the patient's progress toward Occupational Therapy treatment goals: modifying the goals and treatment program as indicated. 5. Monitors patient's emergency medical needs; intolerance to treatment; changes in patient's physical/mental status; and takes appropriate action as necessary.
6. Documents and otherwise communicates results of evaluation and treatment according to OT Clinical Competency Review Criteria.
7. Participates and actively represents Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service as a liaison in ward rounds, patient planning conferences, discharge planning conferences, specialty clinics and assigned medical or departmental meetings.
8. Maintains current knowledge and understanding of all patient care Occupational Therapy treatment equipment in the department its use and contraindications.
9. Recognizes diversity among patients/staff and demonstrates sensitivity to cultural, age, gender, and people with disabilities.
10. Provides patient care/support that is appropriate to the cognitive, physical, and emotional needs of the patient group served. Interact with people at all age levels ranging from adolescents through geriatric and must be aware of and respond appropriately to the physical, social, and psychological differences among these groups.
11. Recommends referral of patients to other services or programs when appropriate.
12. Provides instruction in the care and use of assistive devices, adaptive equipment, orthotic devices, and prosthesis. Fabricates such items as feasible.
13. Utilizes appropriate occupational therapy modalities using exercise, massage, heat or cold, air, light, water, electricity, or sound for the purpose of correcting or alleviating any physical or mental condition, or the purpose of preventing the development of any physical or mental disability, or the performance of tests of neuromuscular function as an aid to the diagnosis or treatment of any human condition.
14. Independently solves problems not covered by standard procedures, adapts, and modifies treatment plans, activities, and procedures without supervisory guidance to meet complex and challenging needs of the patients.

Administrative-
1. Maintains and promptly submits statistical reports as scheduled.
2. Identifies and corrects, if possible, any safety hazards and reports equipment malfunctions.
3. Maintains supplies at effective level for treatment and ensures their appropriate use.
4. Maintains knowledge of and acts within occupational therapy scope of practice and the current policies and procedures of the department and hospital.
5. Maintains effective communication with patients, families, and other health care professionals to enhance patient care.
6. Recommends additions to departmental equipment and Occupational Therapy treatment programs.
7. Supervises and guides non-licensed staff involved In Occupational Therapy treatment to maintain overall responsibility of treatment.
8. Manages effective use of time/schedules for Occupational Therapy.
9. Assures that documentation supports ICD-10 and CPT codes utilized to capture workload and for billing purposes.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm with occasional weekends and holidays (Subject to change based on the needs of the service).
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 598-01522-F/01523-F/01524-F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the 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 identification 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.

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

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 Language 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: The individual must meet at least one of the following requirements : (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.
  • 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.
• 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: 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. § 7405(c)(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.

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

Occupational Therapist, GS-11:
Education or Experience - 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. Resume must include hours per week for work experience credit.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate 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:
Experience - Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at the GS-11 grade level and directly related to the position being filled. Resume must include hours per week for work experience credit.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate 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: Seeking the best qualified Occupational Therapist with preferred experience in the VA system (could be a student) and preferred experience in a variety of OT settings with the following responsibilities:

• Develops and implements complex, goal-oriented treatment plans for patients, presenting with a multiplicity of dysfunction and impairments in physical, functional, and adaptive areas.
• Provides independent evaluation and therapeutic interventions to a full range of wounded, ill, and injured veterans.
• Teaches alternative or compensatory techniques for rehabilitation, reconditioning, and functional tasks, regardless of physical, mental, and/or cognitive deficits.
• Designs treatment plans to meet patient/clinical objectives.
• Provides education and consultation to patients and other providers, including development of training programs.
• Provides recommendations for continued treatment, home programs, and reconditioning, as well as guidance on physical health, functional, and adaptive activities.
• Ability to provide video and/or telehealth appointments as appropriate.

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

The full performance level of this vacancy is a GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-09 to GS-12.

Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.

Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

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.

Area of consideration -
1. Current permanent Central Arkansas Veteran Healthcare System employees;
2. Current permanent Veterans Healthcare Administration employees;
3. Current permanent VA Nationwide employees;
4. Current/past Health Professional Trainees (HPTs) - if applicable; and
5. All other applicants based on Veterans' Preference

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following Competencies for this position:

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.