Clarification from the agency

This Job Opportunity Announcement is open to the public NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assesses the veterans Occupational Profile providing an understanding of the client occupational history, experiences, patterns of daily living, interests, values, and needs, motor and process skills and communication/interaction skills.
• Develops an intervention plan based on evaluation findings, OT theory and evidence-based practice
• Utilizes evidence-based occupational therapy across all areas of practice.
• Offers treatment interventions tailored to the client's abilities/needs and design to promote, modify, maintain, or restore occupational performance.
• Documents the veteran's response to treatment, therapists' interventions, and the progress toward reaching the desired targeted outcomes as per VA regulations and section guidelines.
• Reevaluates the plan; modifies the plan as needed to achieve targeted outcomes.
• Determines the need for continuation, discontinuation, or referral.
• Oversees treatment provided by occupational therapy assistants (COTA).
• Develops and coordinate educational materials for the caregiver of the disabled veteran to prevent premature institutionalization and promote safety in the home environment.
• Monitors currently used assessments/treatment methods and revise as necessary to reflect current methodology and Joint Commission, AOTA, State license standards.
• Facilitates safe patient assisted transfers to and from chair, bed, toilet, and car.
• Facilitates patient neuro-motor function using hands-on techniques.
• Practice autonomously, making recommendation and referrals to other medical specialties/services as clinically indicated during ongoing assessment of patients under their care.
• Collaborates with staff throughout the medical center to create an environment that will maximize the veteran's functional abilities and their quality of life.
• Works effectively with treatment team and other health care providers in coordinating the patient's total care. Serves as full team member on assigned wards.
• Serves as active participant in quality improvement programs.
• Contribute to interdisciplinary assessments and care plans.
• Assists with the Performance Improvement efforts for the occupational therapy section, following activities that detect and remedy deficiencies in process and outcome of OT services.
• Monitors their own workload and clinical volume. Assists OT supervisor in utilization and management of available space for current, additional, or expanding therapy programs.
• Sets priorities, delegate tasks to volunteers and work study students, and solve problems to meet multiple deadlines.
• Assists the OT Supervisor in utilization review activities, quality improvement, and other administrative reporting as necessary
• Helps resolve patient issues/complaints at the lowest level and refers unresolved grievances and complaints to appropriate sources.
• Follows policies and procedures (operational, privacy, IT security, etc.). Promotes and ensures a safe work environment. Follows established follows time, attendance, and leave procedures.
• Assists OT supervisor to assure all employees work in a safe, clean, infection-free environment and promotes these practices among program employees.
• Carries out delegated responsibilities on medical center-wide, division-wide or program-wide committees, special projects, and tasks. Assists with determining equipment needs on an annual basis and submits appropriate requests.
• Determines quarterly supply needs and orders through the appropriate channels considering most cost effective agreements/government contracts.
• Oversees the inventory of supplies and equipment as appropriate to meet the demands of the section.
• Maintains clinic areas, equipment, and supplies in a clean and organized manner to promote quality treatment in a safe and functionally appropriate environment.

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.
• 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 / evaluation .
• 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.
• English Language Proficiency. Per VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3j: No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C., chapter 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English.
• Education: 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

• 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.

• Master's Degree or higher in occupational therapy

• 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.

GS 12 Occupational Therapist (Full performance level): In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

• Experience.
  • Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at the GS-11 grade level and directly related to the position being filled.

• 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.

• Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an OT.

• 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.

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.