This assignment carries primary responsibility for providing in-home occupational therapy assessments, and the planning, and administration and management of rehabilitation in the home for patients of the Chalmers P. Wylie Ambulatory Care Center Home Based Primary Care Program (HBPC). 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: You must be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a). English Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education and/or Experience: 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. 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. Foreign Graduates: Graduates of foreign occupational therapy programs meet the degree accreditation requirements if they have a current, full, active and unrestricted 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. Creditable Experience: Experience is only creditable if it is post-graduate experience as a professional occupational therapist directly related to the duties to be performed. Qualifying experience must be at a level comparable to professional occupational therapy experience at the next lower level. Certification: Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an Occupational Therapist. 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 Determinations: Occupational Therapist, GS-12 Education, Experience, and Licensure: Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at the GS-11 grade level and 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. Preferred Experience: Geriatric experience References: VA Handbook 5005/25, Staffing, Part II Appendix G14, Occupational Therapist Qualification Standard. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: The work requires the ability use a computer and ability to navigate throughout an office building environment. The work may require engaging Veterans in their environment. This may include emergency shelters, community agencies, veteran's residences and places not meant for habitation. Some encounters may be outdoors during all times of the year. There will be some walking; standing; bending; carrying of light items such as papers, book, small parts; or driving an automobile, etc. The incumbent is required to transport veterans using a government assignedvehicle, therefore, would need to pass a driver's physical sufficient to meet the standards outlined in policies. 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). ["Clinical Independently develop, implement and reassess therapeutic rehabilitation programs for home care patients within discipline specific guidelines. Assess the living skills, physical abilities, and needs for each patient referred for in-home assessment. Participate in ongoing evaluations of the Falls Reduction Program through home safety evaluations and individual in-home patient assessments. Develop a treatment plan directed toward achieving maximum level of functioning within the home, consulting with other OT disciplines as indicated, and developing the plan of care in collaboration with the patient and caregiver. Implement the treatment plan by providing direct patient care; procuring necessary equipment/adaptive devices; instructing and training the client and caregiver concerning exercises, activities of daily living, rehabilitation techniques, and equipment/adaptive devices; and recommending community referrals. Oral and Written Communication Document initial assessments, treatment plans/goals, and response to treatment as determined in subsequent patient home visits, telephone calls, and case management work, according to licensure and Joint Commission standards. Maintain timely data input utilizing care plans, initial assessments and/or specialty protocols as part of an ongoing process in coordination with other key interdisciplinary staff to provide effective patient care. Participate and meaningfully contribute in weekly HUD VASH interdisciplinary team conferences. Serve as consultant to other health professionals in the evaluation of patients with multiple and complex problems in the home, for which highly specialized knowledge and skills are required. Develop and coordinate educational materials for the patient and/or caregiver of the veteran as indicated by the OT assessment and Joint Commission Home Care standards. Establish and maintain contact with other key staff involved in patient care via written, telephone, and personal communication on a regular basis at the Ambulatory Care Center and VISN level. Develop and provide timely reports to the Supervisor, and Community Outreach Division as requested. Abide by VA and HIPAA patient confidentiality regulations in documentation, consultation, and release of information. Ensure that all Protected Health Information is secure at all times and kept in a lockable box during transport to patient homes. Facilitate and maintain a positive working relationship and a cooperative working environment. Maintain adaptability (will adapt to change in a professional manner). Professional Development Attend continuing education programs and read professional literature for the purpose of maintaining licensure or improving knowledge, skills, and attitudes in work performance and competence. Apply new material learned towards the revision of procedures to reflect current methodology. Attend or complete all VA-required educational programs within specified timeframes. Develop and maintain population specific competencies related to home bound patients. Administrative Functions Conducts record keeping related to patient care documentation and quality improvement (QI) data collection as specified by the HBPC Director. Perform other tasks as assigned by the HBPC Director or Chief, Geriatrics that are consistent with the mission of the Department, Care Line, and Ambulatory Care Center. Environmental Functions Demonstrate awareness of safety hazards and take appropriate corrective action. Assist in the establishment of clinic and practice safety guidelines impacting all Occupational Therapy patients and programs. Adhere to infection control programs. Implements and monitors OSHA goals for Life Safety Management, health and the environment procedures. Reports safety hazards, accidents and injuries. Implements, monitors and reviews hazardous materials/Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)/waste management, fire protection. Implements and monitors Emergency Preparedness plan. Implements and monitors security policies/procedures. Implements and monitors compliance with federal, state and local environmental and other requirements preventing pollution, minimizing waste, and conserving cultural and natural resources. Providing Clinical Training Assist in orienting, training, or supervising, as indicated, professional OT students, other disciplines and students of the HUD VASH team, and volunteers. Provide Community Outreach Division and/or Geriatrics & Extended Care in-services as indicated of new developments in OT. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 92748-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
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.
