Incumbent is an Occupational Therapist Registered {OTR) who is responsible for providing occupational therapy consultation, evaluation, assessments and treatment interventions to adult and geriatric patients referred from all areas of the medical center covered by the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS), and provides professional and independent occupational therapy services in the assigned area. 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 VA Policy. English Proficiency: Candidate 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: (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. Certification-Submitted: Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an OT. State Licensure-Submitted: Candidate 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 a 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. 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. 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 years, or converted to a new temporary appointment. GRADE REQUIREMENTS: Occupational Therapist, GS-09 Education, Experience, or Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. Occupational Therapist, GS-11 In addition to meeting the basic requirements, license and certification requirements, you must have one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level 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. Additionally, you must demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) listed below. 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 monitoring 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. Occupational Therapist, GS-12-must have NBCOT-Certification and State Licensure-Submited In addition to meeting the basic requirements, license and certification requirements, you must have one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level directly related to the position being filled. Additionally, you must demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) listed below. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/127 Part II Appendix G14 Occupational Therapist Qualification Standard. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12 The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-09/11/12. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 pounds or over); light carrying (under 15 pounds); straight pushing (.5 hours); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking (.5 hours); standing (.5 hours); crawling (.5 hours); kneeling (.5 hours); repeated bending (1 hour); climbing, legs only (.5 hours); climbing, use of legs and arms; operation of crane, truck, tractor or motor vehicle; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; specific visual requirement (corrective lenses okay); both eyes required; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid may be permitted); mental and emotional stability. ["**Amended to Remove Telework Ad-Hoc** Occupational Therapist at Full Performance Level (FPL) include, but are not limited to: Supervising Occupational Therapy Assistants, Occupational Therapy Students, and volunteers when applicable and depending on assignment. Position is located in the Occupational Therapy (OT) Department of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) at the VA Caribbean Healthcare System. Incumbent select and provide direct occupational therapy interventions and procedures with varying degrees of complexity to enhance safety, wellness, and performance in ADL, instrumental ADL, rest and sleep, education, work, play, leisure, and social participation. Incumbent implement the full range of treatment where therapeutic objectives and procedures involved require the application of specialized skills and knowledge, for a diverse population of patients with acute or chronic physical, occupational, cognitive, and psychosocial deficits. Established treatment procedures are not always applicable and, at times, must be substantially adapted and applied with critical concern for patients who are acutely or chronically ill, or who have a combination of severe psychosocial condition or physical disability with secondary complications. Incumbent demonstrates a full professional understanding of the theories of treatment in occupational therapy and their proper application through the use of activity analysis, behavioral intervention, frame of references, and therapeutic procedures. Knowledge of occupational therapy principles and techniques is consistent with current clinical standards based on OT theory and evidence based practice. Knowledge is inclusive of physical, occupational, cognitive, and psychosocial functional deficits. Intervention plans require frequent modification in response to subtle but significant changes in the condition of the patient. Incumbent has the ability to use critical analysis, clinical reasoning, and creativity to independently solve complex problems related to adapting and modifying assessments, intervention plans, activities and procedures to meet the needs of patients served. lncumbent's evaluation includes an occupational profile and analysis of occupational performance, taking in considerations the medical history, focusing in relevant occupations, observing the client's performance, using appropriate and specific assessments, and selecting outcome measures. Tests may need to be adapted because of multiple physical, occupational, cognitive and psychosocial deficits. Incumbent completes evaluation and interventions in a timely manner. Chart review will allow the incumbent an opportunity to assess appropriateness of the referral and possible contraindications for treatment. Referrals are scheduled considering priority and frequency of care, and coordination of schedules with other team members. Flexibility of schedule must be maintained to allow for unscheduled patients and for mentoring and consultation. Incumbent utilizes evaluation data to establish a comprehensive intervention plan, involving patient in the goals setting and treatment processes as feasible. Incumbent modifies intervention plan according to findings on an ongoing basis to meet short and long term goals. Incumbent recognizes even subtle responses or adverse reactions to treatment, initiates effective action immediately, and advises other health care team members as indicated. Incumbent has the ability to collaborate and communicate orally and in writing with all internal and external stakeholders. He/she involves the patient, family, significant others, and pertinent health care staff in the treatment process by ongoing communication through demonstration, instruction, team conferences, and chart documentation as appropriate to each patient's treatment goals. Incumbent assesses patient's learning needs, and plans and implements appropriate education programs, involving the patient, family, and significant others in the instructional process. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, may include weekends & holidays, and may also be required to work various rotating shifts Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 61649F-GS-09 | 61650F-GS-11 | 61651F-GS-12 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized"]
About Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.
