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Occupational Therapist will serve as Clinical Assessor and be matrixed to work as a member of a team within the Caregiver Support Program aid determining program eligibility. Also responsible for conducting assessments using a variety of formats, include phone calls, video visits & in-person assessments within the homes of Veterans. Provide ongoing support & education to Veterans, caregivers & other members of the Caregiver Support Program team. This position will require some local driving.
06/04/2025 to 06/20/2025
$92,573 - $120,350 per year
GS 12
1 vacancy in the following location:
No
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Not required
No
Permanent
Full-time
Excepted
12
No
No
CBTA-12745209-25-GMT
838110400
Major Duties:
Clinical:
(1) Treats patients presenting complex problems using knowledge of occupational therapy principles and techniques consistent with current clinical standards based on OT theory and evidenced based practice. Knowledge is inclusive of physical, occupational, cognitive, and psychosocial functional deficits.
(2) Consults with physicians and makes recommendations for plan of treatment.
(3) Evaluates referred patients to determine current level of functioning (e.g. range of motion, pain, strength, movement mechanics, posture, coordination, perception, coordination, self-care, homemaking, work performance, orthotic needs) using standardized or specialized tests, interviews, observations, medical record review, and consultation with other professional staff. Provides information to physicians for use in differential diagnosis.
(4) Develops rehabilitation objectives, in collaboration with the patient, in the form of a treatment intervention plan that includes short and long term goals. Interventions to attain goals include but are not limited to: therapeutic exercise, muscle re-education, perceptual motor integration, fabrication and applications of orthotics and devices for daily living, instruction in compensatory techniques, and provision of patient/family education.
(5) Must 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 the veteran.
(6) Re-evaluates the patient's status on a regular basis and adjusts the treatment plan appropriately.
(7) Documents in the medical record: results of the initial evaluation: the treatment plan and goals; progress reports that include the treatment provided, changes in the patient's functional status, and changes made to the treatment plan: a discharge summary that includes goal achievement, recommendations for home program, and patient/family education.
(8) Attends interdisciplinary team meetings; participates with physicians, nurses, psychologists, social workers, and other disciplines in developing the patient care plan: advises the interdisciplinary team of treatment outcomes, current status of the patient, and progress toward goals.
(9) When indicated, evaluates the patient's living environment through home visits or consultation with patient, family, significant others or home health professionals to assist in solving problems associated with community reentry.
(10) Procures, fabricates, adjusts, adapts, and modifies orthoses, splints, and adaptive equipment for activities of daily living (inclusive of durable medical equipment).
(11) Applies all health and safety regulations to minimize and mitigate risks in the provision of patient care and environmental maintenance.
(12) Privileged to do consultation and procedural oversight via TeleHealth.
Education:
(1) Provides orientation/training of medical staff to the occupational therapy program.
(2) Assists in the orientation and training of new staff occupational therapists.
(3) Assists in the training of occupational therapy students, providing feedback about students' progress and performance.
(4) Keeps current of principles and techniques in the occupational therapy assessment and treatment of occupational, cognitive, and psychological functional deficits through professional literature, in-service programs, and continuing education.
(5) Provides in-service and patient education programs as indicated.
Administrative:
(1) Participates in developing guidelines/protocols in treatment of various diagnoses and in developing new patient care programs and evaluation of existing programs.(2) Maintains patient records and other data required by the section, service and medical center.(3) Submits requests for expendable supplies, additional equipment, educational material, and maintenance needs to the section supervisor.(4) May be requested to serve on a service level committee or to represent PM&R Service on a medical center committee.
Work Schedule: Full time Monday - Friday
Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Position Title/Functional Statement #: 000000
Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP): Not Authorized
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.
If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
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.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 06/20/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12745209.
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/838110400. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.