Clarification from the agency

This job is open to current permanent Department of Veteran Affairs employees For the EXTERNAL announcement apply to CBTC-12794952-25-SGP

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The OT will provide these in-home services to patients with a wide variety of multiple, complex chronic illnesses and/or profound disabilities.

Additional responsibilities, as HBPC duties allow, may include in-home assessments of profoundly disabled patients of FN/SG VHS who are not enrolled in HBPC. Assessment and treatment of patients and training of students and various disciplines is independently conducted by the incumbent who exercises professional judgment regarding each patient. Decisions are made in the community without onsite supervision of another health care professional.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30AM - 4:00PM or 8:00AM - 4:30PM
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 50522F, 52135F, 52134F
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.
• 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.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 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

.BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

• United States Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).
• English Language Proficiency. Occupational Therapists 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 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

PLEASE NOTE: 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. Degree programs may be verified by contacting the American Occupational Therapy Association website or at their office address: American Occupational Therapy Association, P.O. Box 31220, Bethesda, MD 20824-1220.

• Certification-Documentation Supplied. Candidates must possess a current National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification as an OT.
• State Licensure-Documentation Supplied.. 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 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 (2) years under the authority of 38 U.S.C. S 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 grade levels at or above the developmental GS-11 grade level, the OT must be certified and licensed.
• A graduate OT may provide care only under the direct supervision of a licensed OT who meets all state regulatory requirements.
• Temporary graduate OT appointments may not be extended beyond two (2) years nor converted to a new temporary appointment.
• In all cases, graduate OTs must actively pursue obtaining required credentials (i.e., NBCOT certification and/or state licensure) from the date of their appointment. Failure to obtain required credentials by the prescribed date will result in termination of employment.

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 REQUIREMENTS

Grade Determinations for Occupational Therapist GS-9:

• GS-9 Experience, Education, or Licensure: No post-educational experience, education, or licensure is required at the GS-9 level beyond the Basic Requirements.
• Assignment. See the referenced Qualification Standard for additional information.

Grade Determinations for Occupational Therapist GS-11:

• GS-11 Experience, Education, AND Licensure: In addition to the Basic Requirements, an Occupational Therapist at the GS-11 level MUST be certified AND licensed, AND meet one (1) of the following GS-11 Grade Requirements:
  • Completed a minimum f one year of experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level and directly related to the position being filled; -OR-
  • Completed three (3) years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree in occupational therapy or a directly related field;-OR-
  • Possess a Doctorate in occupational therapy.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
  • 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 mentoring 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.

• Assignment. See the referenced Qualification Standard for additional information.

Grade Determinations for Occupational Therapist GS-12:

• GS-12 Experience, Education, AND Licensure: In addition to the Basic Requirements, an Occupational Therapist at the full performance GS-12 level MUST be certified, licensed, AND possess at least one (1) year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level directly related to the position being filled.

• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
  • 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.

• Assignment. See the referenced Qualification Standard for additional information.

Preferred Experience: Experience that demonstrates possession of advanced practice skills & judgment, with at least two years in an area of specialized practice. Will work with special patient populations with highly-complex health or mental health problems requiring expert level occupational therapy interventions. The candidate must also be able to drive and have an unrestricted driver's license.

References: Veterans Health Administration - Occupational Therapist Qualification Standard - GS-0631 (formerly VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G14) - December 13, 2019.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.

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.