Clarification from the agency

This announcement is an INTERNAL ANNOUNCEMENT and is limited to current permanent employees of the Fargo VA Health Care System and current permanent VA Nationwide employees. Current permanent employees of the Fargo VA Health Care System will receive first consideration. The public and employees of other Federal agencies should apply to announcement number CBSY-12760031-25-MS. Position maybe filled as a Physical Therapist or Occupational Therapist.

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Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Experience in a supervisory or managerial role and has been involved in planning or assisting with the development of an integrated therapy program at a medical center or similar facility.
• Supports management's objectives of achieving optimal productivity and adjusts services to accommodate the evolving needs of the veterans served across various programs, including inpatient, outpatient, Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC), and tele-rehabilitation services.
• Possesses comprehensive experience in supervisory responsibilities, including assigning work, conducting performance evaluations, making recommendations for appointments, awards, and advancements, as well as addressing grievances and, when appropriate, implementing disciplinary actions.
• Delivers comprehensive rehabilitation services for patients with neuro musculoskeletal and other organ/system involvement, serving individuals across psychiatric, medical, intermediate, and long-term care.
• Responsible for monitoring the effectiveness of equipment and assessing new technology to ensure the procurement of appropriate, state-of-the-art tools that enhance patient care.
• Oversees all levels of employees and students and their activities to effectively achieve treatment team objectives and support patients' personal goals.
• Conducts regular staff meetings, daily huddles of an administrative and educational nature, scheduled to align with the institution's goals and meet the needs of the staff.
• Ensures that all employees work in a safe, clean, and infection-free environment and promotes these practices among staff members.
• Contributes to the development of policies and procedures, the creation of quality Management (QM) monitors, process improvement plans, and the establishment of standards of care, ensuring compliance with accreditation bodies and professional organizations.
• When capacity allows, the individual will engage in direct patient care across various programs, including inpatient, outpatient, employee health, and Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC).

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.
• You may be required to serve a trial period.
• 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).

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

(a) Citizenship. Citizen of the United States.

(b) Education and/or Experience: The individual must meet at least one of the following requirements below:
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 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

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.

or

3. Master's Degree or higher in occupational therapy.

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.

(c) 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 referred to in subparagraph [3e] of this appendix.

(d) Certification: Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an OT.

(e) 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).


Grade Determination:

Supervisory Occupational Therapist, GS-13

(1) Education, Experience, and Licensure. Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level and directly related to the position being filled.

(2) Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
(a) Ability to balance multiple responsibilities, set priorities, delegate tasks, meet multiple deadlines, analyze organizational problems, and develop and implement effective solutions.
(b) Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems to develop and implement solutions that result in efficient operations and use data effectively to manage workload, quality performance, and productivity within the service.
(c) Skill in dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers to include conflict resolution.
(d) Ability to utilize evidence-based practices and clinical practice guidelines in a professional area and to guide the staff in applying these tools.

(3) Assignment. Supervisory OTs at this level are generally found at complex facilities. The supervisory occupational therapist is responsible for the supervision, administrative management and direction of the occupational therapy program in an OT section or equivalent work group. They have oversight for planning and directing the staff assignments in a variety of clinical settings. The supervisory OT provides a Veteran/client centered environment while enhancing staff engagement. Typical duties include: assigning work; monitoring clinical performance; resolving staff conflicts; identifying continuing education and training needs; and preparing performance standards and ratings. They interview candidates for positions; recommend appointments, advancements, or when appropriate, disciplinary actions; administer leave; and coordinate staffing needs. Supervisory OTs may provide occupational therapy and have capacity to care for more complex patients. They develop/initiate new treatment programs which integrate outcomes and advancements in practice from current research findings. The supervisory OT serves as an instructor in the facility's in-service clinical training program. They serve as an advocate and resource consultant to the therapy staff and facility-atlarge through communication with other departments, physicians, external agencies and other groups regarding programs and operation of the occupational therapy section.

Preferred Experience: Prior supervisor experience.

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

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13.

Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

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.